CPalencia is a city in the northwest of the Tierra
de Campos of central Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia
in Castile-Leon. Valladolid is 30 miles due south of Palencia,
easily reached on the main N-620 along the valley of the Rio
Pisuerga.
Palencia contains some interesting
historical sights. The Roman bridge across the Carrion was replaced
by the medieval one of three arches: the old section of the city
is on the left bank, the modern suburban development on the right
bank. Palencia has old city walls more than 10 metres high, the
13th-century church of San Miguel and the Benedictine monastery
of San Zoilo, housed in an 18th-century rococo structure by Juan
de Badajoz. Palencia is known for its a flamboyant Gothic cathedral
containing a fine collection of old Flemish tapestries and paintings
by El Greco.
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