This opening of churches is not only an expression of evangelization and hospitality, but is also framed as a strategic action for regional revitalization. During the summer months, many towns experience a notable population increase due to the return of emigrant families, the celebration of patron saint festivals, or the attraction of tourists seeking a more authentic and intimate experience than what traditional tourist circuits offer. In this context, rural and parish churches become spaces of encounter, memory, and community.
To ensure proper preservation of the heritage and respect for liturgical life, the Archdiocese of Valladolid has coordinated this initiative with the active support of parish priests, volunteers, and committed laypeople. These individuals will be present in each of the participating churches to oversee the proper conduct of visits and ensure harmony with religious services.
The general opening hours will be Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. However, in the case of nine specific churches, access will be limited to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Among them are architectural and devotional gems such as the Church of Our Lady of the Snows in Bocos de Duero, the Church of Santa María la Mayor in Corcos del Valle, and the Hermitage of Our Lady of Old Tiedra, among others.
The complete list includes some of the province’s most emblematic temples, such as the Collegiate Church of San Antolín in Medina del Campo, the Church of Santa María in Medina de Rioseco, the Church of Santiago Apóstol in Cigales, and the unique Church of Santa María de la O in Wamba—renowned as one of the few standing examples of Mozarabic architecture on the Iberian Peninsula. These often-overlooked treasures represent an extraordinary historical, artistic, and spiritual legacy now available to be experienced in its full splendor.
The Heritage Delegation of the Archdiocese emphasizes that the aim of this initiative is not merely to increase visitor numbers but to promote a more reflective and respectful approach to ecclesiastical heritage. “This is about encouraging a type of tourism that does not merely look, but listens and engages with the signs of faith—tourism that sees the church as something alive, not just a relic of the past,” officials from the Archdiocese note.
With this summer opening, Valladolid once again positions itself as one of the key destinations for cultural and religious tourism in Castilla y León, offering a unique experience that weaves together history, art, spirituality, and community. The beauty of its churches, combined with the warm hospitality of its towns and the local Church, promises to enrich the summer for all who come to discover—or rediscover—this shared legacy.
