Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Simancas
The town of Simancas is in the Castilian province of Valladolid, adjacent to the river Pisuerga.
The name of this entity is derived from an ancient legend. In the 9th century, during the reign of Ramiro I, Emir Abderramán II requested one hundred Christian maidens as tribute, seven of whom were from Simancas. The seven chosen maidens, dissatisfied with their impending fate, decided to rebel by cutting off their hands. In response to this unexpected turn of events, King Ramiro made it clear that he did not wish to receive the maidens as mancas. This led to the naming of the lands from which they came.
This town has a long and distinguished history, having been an important historical enclave since the 12th century. Its strategic geographical location on a natural high point overlooking the fertile plains of the rivers Pisuerga and Duero has contributed to its reputation as one of the most important towns in Valladolid.
The municipality's first archaeological discoveries were made at the megalithic funerary monument known as the megalithic tomb of Los Zumacales, which is believed to date back to the Neolithic period. Furthermore, the remains of an ancient Vacceo settlement have been discovered, which was subsequently incorporated into a Visigothic necropolis.
During the Roman Empire, this settlement was known as Septimanca. During the Muslim period, these lands became a frontier between Arabs and Christians, and were the scene of numerous battles.
The most notable event was the Battle of Simancas in 939. A conflict between Christian troops, under King Ramiro II of León, and Saracen troops of the Caliph Abderramán III occurred. The Christian army's victory consolidated its domination of the lands to the north of the Duero River, paving the way for a safe advance southward.
In 1812, during the Spanish War of Independence, another battle was fought in the town between Anglo-Spanish troops, commanded by General Wellington, and the Napoleonic army.
The town's most notable monument is the old Simancas Castle, a 15th-century structure that later became the General Archive of Simancas, under the direction of King Felipe II, to house the kingdom's documents. The archive currently holds over 35 million documentary sources, making it one of the most important historical archives in Europe.
Additionally, the Church of the Saviour, constructed in the 16th century in a late Gothic style with Renaissance influences, is worthy of note. The 12th-century tower is a notable feature, as is the 16th-century high altarpiece in the Plateresque style, the work of Alonso Berruguete.
Please be advised that the local festivities will take place on the last weekend in May. The "Jura de las Doncellas" celebration will be held on the steps of the Archive, where the "jura" will be staged.
The patron saint's festivities, or feast of the Saviour, will be held on 6 August. As is the traditional custom, the seven maidens will be named at this event. The "petition of the cattle" will be held on 15 August for the patron saint festivities in honour of the Virgen de Arrabal, which will take place between 5 and 10 September.