Olmedo is one of those areas where rural tourism is ideal, and there is nothing better than a location where history has been preserved in plain sight.
This town is located in the Tierra de Pinares district of Valladolid, hidden between the Adaja and Eresma Rivers and is named after the abundance of elm trees.
It is known as the Villa de los Siete Sietes (Town of the Seven Sevens) since it had seven settlements at the time, a wall with seven gates, and seven churches, convents, or squares as part of its heritage, so the name is not in vain.
Now, how about a history lesson? Although many cultures have passed through these territories, it should be noted that it was during the Middle Ages that it became most famous. Thanks in part to the writer Lope de Vega's masterpiece 'El Caballero de Olmedo', and the popular adage, "Whoever aspires to be a ruler of Castile must have Olmedo on his side."
And, because history is still alive and well in its streets, would you like to accompany us on a tour of the city's most notable sights?
We begin with the most important monument, a long medieval wall in the Mudejar style and have two of its seven gates still remaining.
The Church of San Miguel and its Arch (13th century), which stands next to the wall, is one of the best examples of how the Romanesque and Mudejar styles coexist harmoniously, but that's not all because it hides a gem inside - the Chapel of the Virgen de la Soterraña, a polychrome room that houses the image of the town's patron saint.
We can also visit the churches of San Juan, built in the Mudejar style and contains several graves, or San Andrés, which dates from the 13th century and of which only a portion survives in ruins.
As we mentioned earlier, Olmedo has various squares, some of which are of Castilian style with distinctive arcades, such as the Plaza Mayor, and another chapel, dedicated to the same virgin, with an impressive porticoed atrium at its entry, in the Plaza de Santa Mara.
The Caballero Museum, or Casona de los Longué, is another must-see attraction, where you can see an exhibition dedicated to Lope de Vega, who is credited with putting this town on the map with his famous work, and which also has a corral de comedias, where plays are still presented to this day.
Another place to visit, especially if you are travelling with kids, is the Mudejar Theme Park. This place features full-scale replicas of the most notable Mudejar buildings in Castile-León, set in a natural setting. It is complete with rest and recreational areas, and the kids are sure to have a fantastic time.
After a tour of Olmedo, we are sure that you are hungry! If you like to eat, you have come to the perfect location! Its gastronomy is delicious and features a vast range of products.
Suckling lamb is the star dish, though pork stews and cheeses aren't far behind, and desserts like homemade turrones, cagadillas de gato (doughnuts), mantecados de almendra, and bollos de mosto are not far behind.
A bottle of wine with the Denomination of Origin Rueda is also on the table.
Olmedo combines its economy with ancient trades such as livestock farming and agriculture, though it is also worth noting that rural tourism has made its way, offering a wide range of accommodation as a place for visitors to rest, in addition to having become a point of reference for the performing arts with its Classical Theatre Festival.
