Tordesillas Attractions
The old Castilian market town of Tordesillas, situated on a hill above the Río Duero, lies at an important road junction and was once a frequent residence of the kings of Spain. Here in 1494, following a decision of Pope Alexander VI, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the New World and other territories yet to be discovered between the two countries: all the lands to the east of a line running from pole to pole 370mi west of the Cape Verde Islands were assigned to Portugal, all the lands to the west of the line, with the exception of Brazil, to Spain.
After her husband's death Joan the Mad spent the last years of her life in the convent of Santa Clara here. During the rebellion of the Comuneros the town was the headquarters of their Junta Santa ("Sacred League").
After her husband's death Joan the Mad spent the last years of her life in the convent of Santa Clara here. During the rebellion of the Comuneros the town was the headquarters of their Junta Santa ("Sacred League").
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Real Monasterio de Santa Clara
This former palace of Alfonso XI, converted to a Moorish style by Pedro the Cruel, eventually became a convent of Clarissine nuns.
Museo de San Antolín
The 16th century church of San Antolín, with a graceful tower, is now a museum. The Capilla de Alderete has a beautiful retablo and contains the tomb of the founder, Pedro González de Alderete; both are by Gaspar de Tordesillas (1550).
