History of Valladolid
Although the territory of present-day Valladolid might have prehistoric origins, the truth is, the first known human settlement originated around the first century and was established by the Romans.
In the 11th century, Alfonso VI of León decided to repopulate the old Roman settlement to form part of the County of Castilla. By 1072, the city had begun to grow, mainly because it was declared a royal residence and because it was the birthplace of several Castilian monarchs.
During the following four centuries, Valladolid consolidated itself as a dynamic city with an enormous academic and university flow thanks to the founding of a large number of educational centres. This made it one of the most important administrative and bureaucratic towns in Castilla.
Courts, Chancery, Inquisition and decadence
Starting in 1489, Valladolid became the seat of the Court of Chancery, of the Inquisition and of the Royal Courts of Castilla. This endowed the city with great influence within all the powers of the State of the Court of Castilla.Throughout the 16th century, Valladolid was the scene of important political and military events that strengthened or weakened its influence, especially after the discovery of America. Bartolomé de las Casas defended the rights of the American Indians, which is considered the first historical contribution to human rights.
These events strengthened the political influence of Valladolid, though this influence was interrupted when a terrible fire devastated the community in 1561. The tragedy resulted in a profound redesign of its urban distribution. In addition, it received the title of city from Philip II at the beginning of 1596.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the city experienced its maximum splendour, when Philip III moved the court to Valladolid in 1601. Then the city became the epicentre of all the great political movements within the Spanish court, with an influence and power never seen before.
However, this situation lasted only until 1606, when the court moved to Madrid again. This marked a serious socioeconomic setback as political connections and commercial routes were lost. The city plunged into a crisis for decades.
However, this situation lasted only until 1606, when the court moved to Madrid again. This marked a serious socioeconomic setback as political connections and commercial routes were lost. The city plunged into a crisis for decades.
The boost that Valladolid obtained thanks to this incipient industrialization was so great that in just forty years, the city was the scene of the creation of important artistic, technical and scientific academies that exist today.
The dynamic and prosperous 19th century
At the beginning of the 19th century, the city entered a whirlwind of instability, as it was the city chosen by the Bonapartist troops during the invasion of Spain in 1808.This situation led to popular uprisings against the invaders. This, in turn, led to total repression. A counterattack by the English allies was necessary to finally liberate the city in 1812.
Valladolid remained in an economic crisis for the next fifteen years until the start of the confiscation program carried out throughout Spain. This caused a commercial reopening as well as demographic and border growth in the city.
With the arrival of the railway in 1860, financial development marked the rest of the 19th century. Valladolid experienced an era of prosperity that caused the city to grow even more, with the creation of large infrastructure works, squares and museums.
With the arrival of the railway in 1860, financial development marked the rest of the 19th century. Valladolid experienced an era of prosperity that caused the city to grow even more, with the creation of large infrastructure works, squares and museums.
The Civil War and the future
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was entering a stage of full growth that would be halted by the economic crisis of 1929 and the deep political instability that originated after the implantation of the second republic in 1931, which triggered the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
Valladolid quickly fell into Francoist hands. It was submerged in bloody battles and political purges that lasted throughout the war and seriously affected its socioeconomic growth.
After Franco's triumph, the city remained in a state of conflict despite major infrastructure works. The arrival of democracy was necessary to recover full socioeconomic momentum, which meant sustained industrial development and ambitious urban plans that made Valladolid the most important city of Castile and León.
After Franco's triumph, the city remained in a state of conflict despite major infrastructure works. The arrival of democracy was necessary to recover full socioeconomic momentum, which meant sustained industrial development and ambitious urban plans that made Valladolid the most important city of Castile and León.
