History and Art

    Ampudia coat of arms reflects the first characteristic of the village. Among other motives there is a fountain with two stand up lions on both sides. The tradition says that the first inhabitants found a stream among scrubs and thickets and they decided to settle in this area. So, the name Ampudia means "Hidden Water Fountain" and also "Clean Water Fountain".

    Through the route across Ampudia streets it can be seen traditional architecture.Wood and stone are two materials that have preserved Ampudia´s arcades. This architectonical element, which was all around the whole village long ago, can be seen in two streets and it still has a special charm In this part of the village we can see the typical Castilian architecture, houses with two upper flats made from mud and straw that are above columns.

    In the village center there are some fountains and spouts which are very famous among people of the village.There are also modern references to those jobs which were much more important for people from Ampudia, such as plasterers, who gathered together in a street and nowadays there is a monument in the village centre that recalls their work.

MONUMENTS

Saint Michael´s Church

    It was started in the XIII century and it was finished in the XVII century. Although it does not have a determined style, it is normally classified as Gothic-Reinaissance.It has got three pointed naves with semicircular and ribbed vaulting. There are so many heraldical shields of that lords from the Middle Ages, such as García de Herrera and Ayala families and other important people such as Fray Pascual de la Fuensanta, Alonso Martín Castrillo and the Duke of Lerma.

    Next to the Reinaissance, Plateresque and Baroque altarpieces we can see Saint Ildenfonso and Saint Ann chapels with marvellous iron gates and people say that they were made by Lorenzo de Avila and Francisco Martínez . The Baroque organ completes the spendour of the church, the same as Saint Michael´s tower which seems an arrow pointing to the sky. It was started in the XIII century and it has seven levels and in 1.541 Juan de Escalante, a stonemason finished its construction and Gaspar de Solorzano worked on its top and finished in 1.561.

    The tower is 62 meters long. It has got several buttresses, columns and bannisters. People from Ampudia call it "novia de Campos"(Campos bride), "Giralda de Campos" and also "La Bella de Campos"(The Beauty of Campos).

    The tower can be visited with a guide in Summer.

The Castle

    Built over the ruins of a fortress from the second half of the XV century. It is a castle of latter Gothic style. It was nominated National Monument in 1.931.

    For many centuries the Castle beloged to the Lords who swore fidelity to the Crown, such as Juan de Alburquerque, Sancho de Rojas who founded Ampudia in 1.419, the Duke of Lerma, de la Gomera, Medinaceli , de la Granja and Alba families.

    Some kings were there such as the Emperor Carlos V, and Felipe III decided in it the removal of the Court from Valladolid to Madrid.

    It has got two levels with a square surrounded by archades in a Reinaissance style. Don Eugenio Fontaneda made it a museum that can be visited on Mondays(from 9 to 13 h) and on Saturdays(from 9,30 to 13,30)

    Groups have to phone: 979 768023

The Religious Museum

    This museum is located at Saint Francisc´s convent.

Our Lady of Alconada´s Monastery

    This monastery ruled by Cistercian nuns is three kilometres away from the village. Surrounded by a meadow with fountains and trees, it is a marvellous place to rest and enjoy the silence.

    In this monastery it is located Our Lady of Alconada´s Sancturary, the patron saint of Ampudia.