Valladolid (Spain)

Museum of sacred art including works by Goya.

Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) lived in Valladolid 1604-06 when it was the capital. In 1605 Part 1 of his best-known work Don Quixote was published, and soon translated into other languages - Shakespeare, whose dates of birth and death almost coincide, had an early copy. Cervantes moved to Madrid for his remaining years and only published Part 2 in 1613 after a fraudster had published a bogus version. His house is small and won't take long to see.

Valladolid was briefly the capital of Spain and work began on a humonguous cathedral in Renaissance style, but funding was cut in the 1560s when power and patronage moved to Madrid, so only half was built. Now titled as Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, it was consecrated in 1668. The ruins of its 13th century predecessor are adjacent north.

Church of a former Benedictine monastery, built early 16th century in Gothic style. It's now maintained by the Carmelites.

In the cloister of San Benito monastery just north of the church, this is a museum of Spanish art since 1918. Big names include Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí.

In a 19th century mansion, this mostly exhibits archaeology from prehistoric and Roman times, but the paintings cover Spain's golden age through to the 16th century.

Collection of religious sculpture and painting from 13th to 19th century: in Holy Week over 100 sculptures are loaned out to join processions. Palacio del Marqués de Villena is the annex across the street, housing exhibitions and an elaborate Neapolitan nativity tableau.

Built from 1445, this was the church of a Dominican convent; future kings Philip II and Philip IV of Spain were baptised here. It has a grand florid facade.