Plaza de San Pablo, Square in Valladolid, Spain

Plaza de San Pablo is a square in Valladolid defined by three major buildings: the San Pablo Church, the Royal Palace, and the Palace of Pimentel. These structures form an architectural grouping that dominates the center of the space.

The square was laid out outside the old city walls near the Cabezón gate, at the northern edge of the 10th-century town. It became a hub of religious life in the Middle Ages and of palace building in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In 1601 Valladolid became the imperial capital and the Duke of Lerma funded the main facade of the San Pablo church; the court returned to Madrid in 1606.

The church facade is Gothic, funded by Cardinal Juan de Torquemada between 1445 and 1468; the Duke of Lerma paid for its main facade reform in 1601. Kings Philip II and Philip IV were baptized inside. The square's name comes from this conventual church, and the adjoining streets recall its role in court and religious life.

The square is easily reached on foot from the main plaza and sits near bus stops for lines 2 and 18. The area is best explored by walking slowly around the buildings and viewing the details from different angles.

The future Philip IV was born in the Royal Palace on 8 April 1605, while the building served as the royal residence during Valladolid's brief spell as imperial capital. Napoleon Bonaparte also stayed there in January 1809 during the Peninsular War.