Medina del Campo
| Medina del Campo | ||
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| Municipality | ||
Town Hall.
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 Medina del Campo
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| Coordinates: 41°18′N 4°55′W / 41.300°N 4.917°WCoordinates: 41°18′N 4°55′W / 41.300°N 4.917°W | ||
| Country | Spain | |
| Autonomous community | Castile and León | |
| Province | Valladolid | |
| Comarca | Tierras de Medina | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | María Teresa López Martin (PSOE) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 153.27 km2 (59.18 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 720 m (2,360 ft) | |
| Population (2013) | ||
| • Total | 21,556 | |
| • Density | 140/km2 (360/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Medinenses | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 47400 | |
| Website | Official website | |
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Medina del Campo is a town located in the province of Valladolid, Castile and León autonomous region, 45 km from Valladolid. It is the capital of a farming area, far away from the great economic centres.
Medina del Campo grew in importance thanks to its Fairs during the 15th and 16th centuries. The main purpose of the early fairs was banking, wool and textile sales, the book market and an enormous variety of goods and trades. As the population increased, the town expanded outward toward the plain of Zapardiel brook. Since then, the Padilla Street became the business centre of Medina.
In 1489 a great trade agreement, that would last for 96 years, united the kingdoms of Spain and England with the reduction of trade tariffs, the recognition of France as a common enemy, and the marriage of Catherine of Aragon to King Henry VII's son, Prince Arthur (and later to King Henry VIII) - this was known as the Treaty of Medina del Campo (1489).
At the time of the Revolt of the Comuneros, Medina del Campo was a major town housing the royal artillery. Royalist attempt to seize the artillery pieces led to heavy resistance culminating in the burning of the city.
Between the 17th century and the 19th century further decline set in; however the town took off again at the end of the 19th century, thanks to the arrival of the railway, the opening of the military district (the quarter of Marques de la Ensenada), and the opening of the hydrothermal establishment of Las Salinas. Also adding to the growth were the strong commercial sector, such as the furniture trade or the opening of shops on Sundays (which is not customary in Spain), and finally proximity of quality wines with the Denominación de Origen of Rueda.
Almost all the buildings of artistic interest date from the 16th century; examples are the country house known as Casa Blanca, the Palacio de Dueñas (Don Rodrigo de Dueñas Manor House) and the Hospital of Simón Ruiz. These buildings were promoted by rich merchant bankers who prospered thanks to the General Fair of the Spanish Kingdom held in Medina del Campo during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Museum of the Fairs was created to exhibit items connected to this open market, and it is a popular visitor attraction.
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Wikipedia