Palencia Live Cam

Palencia lies like a bridge between Castile and León, the very Autonomous Community through which the Pilgrims' Way to Santiago de Compostela runs, and also the scene of many historic events. The stone churches and castles of Palencia stand unshakeably firm after the passing of so many centuries.

There is a great variety of scenery and landscapes to be found here, including mountains, valleys, plains, coalfields, fertile lands and rocky ground, all of which help to provide for continual contrasts. To the south-west lies the region of 'Tierra de Campos', a natural area also shared by the provinces of León, Valladolid and Zamora, while to the north the plain gives way to mountains, now in the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains, where we find the high perpetually snow-capped peaks and green meadowlands. To the south-east is the Cerrato Valley, with its silver-grey hillsides, extensive moorlands and woodlands consisting of oak and holm oak trees. Between the plains and the mountains is the area known as La Valdavia, with its scrublands and ochre shades.

The town stands on the banks of the gentle-flowing river Carrión, and appears as an oasis amidst the extensive wheat fields of 'Tierra de Campos', at the edge of the moorland that can be viewed from the Hermitage of El Cristo del Otero. In true keeping with its historical character Palencia was once surrounded by fortified walls. It was founded under the name of 'Pallantia' in Celtiberian times when it was the capital of the 'vaccaei' people.