Sections of a medieval city wall, Mudéjar art and more than two kilometres of documented underground galleries give Astudillo a diverse cultural profile. Churches, museum collections, the ruins of Castillo de la Mota and traditional wine cellars offer different ways to explore the town’s history. When planning your trip, Astudillo brings together architectural and art history with traces of its winemaking tradition, rather than focusing on just one period.

Medieval Town Centre and City Wall

The Conjunto Histórico de Astudillo was protected as a cultural asset in the category of historic ensemble by Decree 191/1995 of 31 August. The medieval town centre preserves sections of the city wall and one of the six former town gates. The historic ensemble and individual surviving traces of the former fortifications can therefore be seen side by side.

Santa Clara: Palace History and Art

The Convento de Santa Clara-Palacio de Pedro I was founded in 1356 by María de Padilla, the mistress of King Pedro I. Some of the palace rooms have been converted into a museum. They display Mudéjar works, religious goldsmithing, and paintings and sculptures dating from the 14th to the 18th century. The foundation story and the collection offer different points of interest: one focuses on the history of the convent, while the other features a selection of art and sacred objects spanning several centuries.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles at the Convento de Santa Clara, Palacio de Pedro I, is a simple Gothic-Mudéjar church with a coffered ceiling and a Renaissance high altar. The altar paintings are attributed to Juan de Villoldo. Its architectural form and furnishings therefore reflect different artistic influences.

Churches and Museum Collections

Construction of the Iglesia de San Pedro began in the 13th century. Its main altar was created by Hernando de Nestosa in the last third of the 16th century. Several centuries separate the start of construction from the creation of the altar, so the building’s history and furnishings belong to different periods.

The church of Santa Eugenia was converted into a Museo Parroquial and displays artworks from the parish churches of Astudillo and the surrounding hermitages. A 4th-century mosaic from the Roman villa of El Oro is exhibited in the museum; its display may change. The transition from local church artworks to a Roman mosaic brings together different historical connections here.

Castle Ruins and Underground Galleries

Two round towers and some sections of wall survive from the ruins of Castillo de la Mota. The grounds have been developed as a viewpoint, offering a sweeping panorama across the entire comarca. The site thus combines the surviving remains of the castle with views across the region.

Construction of a network of underground galleries beneath Astudillo may have begun in the Middle Ages; more than two kilometres of the network have been documented.

Winemaking Tradition and Planning Your Visit

The traditional Bodegas de Astudillo include wine cellars built in La Mota and El Altillo. They recall the area’s former importance as a wine-growing region, which continued until the recent past. Visiting the Bodegas Astudillo requires an appointment in advance; check the current visiting arrangements beforehand.

The Oficina de Turismo de Astudillo offers guided tours of the historic town. If you plan to take a tour, ask in advance about the current arrangements. This allows you to consider this option alongside the historic sites that interest you most.

Route and Additional Exhibition

The Ruta Este de Palomares passes through Astudillo and forms part of a 10-kilometre route connecting Támara de Campos, Santoyo and Astudillo. In addition to Astudillo, it includes two other specifically named towns.

Since 2024, the permanent Villaclick Playmobil exhibition has been located at the Albergue de Santa María (Salesianos) in Astudillo. As the venue and operating arrangements may change, check the latest information before visiting.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Paredes De Nava, Palencia, Ledigos, Villanueva De Arriba, Población De Campos, Villamuriel De Cerrato, Torquemada, Barrio de San Pedro.

Go to the main travel overview: Palencia.