Palencia, Provincial capital in Castile and León, Spain
Palencia is the capital of the province with the same name in the autonomous region of Castile and León in northern Spain. The urban area extends along the Carrión River on a plateau surrounded by grain fields and low hills.
The Celtiberian fortress Pallantia was conquered and expanded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. Later the site served as a Visigothic center before becoming an important episcopal city in medieval Castile.
The city carries its name from the pre-Celtic settlement Pallantia and preserves this linguistic connection through nearly all historical epochs. Visitors today can still trace the Roman imprint in the old town street layout, while medieval churches and monasteries shape the rhythm of the neighborhoods.
The city center is walkable, with main sights clustered in pedestrian zones and around the main squares. The canal offers a quiet alternative for walks away from the main streets, especially in the late afternoon.
In 1212 the first institution of higher education in Spain was founded here, even before the famous University of Salamanca came into being. This early educational establishment attracted scholars from across Europe and shaped the intellectual life of the region for several generations.
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