VALLADOLID, a city of Spain, capital of the modern province of Valladolid, in the ancient province of Leon, is situated In 41° 40' N. lat., 4' 42' W. long., about 100 miles N.W. from Madrid. Tho population in 1845 was 10,191. The city is built on the left or eastern bank of the Pisuerga, at the 000flueoce of the Esqueva, in an extensive valley encompassed by eminences which are not properly hills or even high grounds, but the rugged and precipitous sides of the limestone plain out of which the Valladolid valley seems to have been scooped. The city occupies both banks of the Esqueva, which thus answers the purpose of drainage. The bridges over the river, the arches, narrow streets, and overhanging houses, are very picturesque. With the exception of the Plaza Mayor, or great square, and the streets leading to it, the city has a melancholy and deserted aspect.
Valladolid was called Pinola by the Romans. The name was changed by the Moors into Baled Walld, or the town of Walld,' after Walld Ibn Hish4m, the eleventh kalif of the race of LTmeyyah, io whose time Spain was conquered by Tirik Ibn Zeyydd and Musa Ibo Noaseyr. The town was reoonquered by the Christians under Ordoho IL, who Was the first of the kings of Oviedo who assumed the title of King of Leon. Early in the 15th century Juan IL, king of Castilla and Leon, made Valladolid his place of residence. Under him and afterwards under Carlos V. it was adorned with splendid residences, and still more so under Felipe IL, son of Carlos, who wai born here, and who In 1505 induced the Pope Clement VOL to elevate the town to the dignity of a bishopric, and who gave it the title of Chte(' (city). Felipe IIL resided here almost constantly. Valladolid having been thus favoured by several kings, became a city of splendid palaces, conventual buildings, churches, public edifices, and mansions of the nobility.
The Plaza Mayor Is very impoalog from its size and style of arahi tecture. It occupies a central space where there was a great fire in 1561, which lasted three days, and burnt down several streets. Tho granite pillars which support the arcades give it an air of solidity, and perhaps of gloom, but it is tha most frequented part of the city, and contains the best shops. Tho cathedral was designed and com
menced by Herrera under Felipe IL, and if completed according to the model which still exists, would have been a grand specimen of Greoo-Itomacio architecture. Only one of tho four intended towers Was finished, and that fell down in 1841, and has not beau rebuilt ; and the building is incomplete in other parts. There are several con ventual buildings and churches of beautiful architecture, gothic' and Grecian; but moat of them have been much injured, chiefly during the occupation of Valladolid by the French. Among them may be mentioned—the San Benito, a church and convent of the Benedictines; the Penitencial de lee Augustias; the Colegio de San Oregorio ; the Dominican convent of San Pablo, distinguished for the ezquiaite finish of the carvings of its portada (grand entrance); and the Iluelgas. Tho Colegio Major de Santa Cruz, formerly one of the six largest colleges of Spain, a beautiful gothlo structure, has been converted into a Museo, in which have been collected the pictures, sculptures, carvings, and other works of art of the suppressed convents. The royal palace of Felipe III. still remains, but it suffered much during the French occupation : It is of mixed architecture. The university, one of the best in Spain, was founded in 1346; it la chiefly distinguished for its schools of jurisprudence, and was attended in 1841 by 1300 students. The Colegio de los blander's, is attended by Roman Catholic students from Ireland. The Chancilleria, or building where the chief court of justice holds its sittings, is a large and fine structure of the Tuscan order of architecture. There are beautiful alamodas, or public wnlko, on the banks of the Pisuerga and Esqueva.
Valladolid has manufactures of silk, cotton and woollen-cloths, jewellery, hats, linen and cotton-thread, paper, perfumery, earthen ware, and leather ; and also a trade in white wines, olivo-oil, and silk, produced in the vicinity.
Valladolid is the see of • bishop, suffragan to the Archbishop of , Toledo; and Is the residence of a captain-general, a military intendant, and other authorities.
(Made:, Dinciosorio Geografteo de Erpaite; Ford, Handbook of Spain.) VALLADOLID. [Ilosriunas ; Mexico.]