Palencia, the capital of the province of the same name in Castile and León, lies on the banks of the Carrión River, on the vast plain of Tierra de Campos.

The city is dominated by the imposing sculpture of Cristo del Otero, which, at 20 meters tall, overlooks the entire region from one of the hills surrounding the city. Calle Mayor, Palencia’s main artery, runs north to south through the center of the capital, displaying distinguished facades and numerous shops. On one side of this street is the arcaded Plaza Mayor. The surrounding pedestrian streets lead to the “beautiful unknown,” as the Palencia Cathedral (14th century) is known. Palencia’s extensive cultural offering is complemented by other venues such as the Archaeological Museum, the Victorio Macho Museum, and the Díaz-Caneja Foundation, the latter dedicated to contemporary art. The Carrión riverbank is becoming one of Palencia’s most important leisure areas, with large green spaces such as the Sotillo de los Canónigos.