Palacio de Pimentel, Renaissance palace in Plaza de San Pablo, Valladolid, Spain.

The Palacio de Pimentel stands on Plaza de San Pablo in Valladolid. Its main two-storey body is light brown brick above a stone base, with a low red tile roof and a row of tall windows with dark metal balcony grilles. At the right end, a grey stone tower with brick-framed windows rises to a small spire; a sign reads "PALACIO DE PIMENTEL".

Construction began in the 15th century by order of the Marquis of Astorga, and the palace later passed to Bernardino Pimentel, regidor of Valladolid. In April 1527 the royal family stayed here for the Cortes, and Philip II was born in the palace. In 1530 it belonged to the Counts of Rivadavia; in 1849 their heirs sold it to Mariano Reynoso y Oscáriz, who sold it to the Diputación Provincial de Valladolid in 1875.

The palace is also known as the Palacio de los Condes de Ribadavia, a name recalling the counts who owned it in 1530. A legend holds that the newborn Philip II was taken out through one of its windows, from which a chain hangs, so he could be baptised in the church of San Pablo rather than the nearer parish of San Martín. In fact a raised passage was built between church and palace for the royal baptism.

The building is typically accessible during daytime hours and you can explore the public areas and exhibition spaces. Check current opening hours beforehand, as the building remains in active administrative use.

The corner window of the early 16th century is framed by a bold arch and carved with grotesques modelled on the paintings of the Domus Aurea in Rome. The legend says Philip II left the palace through a window hung with a chain to be baptised in San Pablo; in fact an elevated passage was built between church and palace for the royal family.