Valladolid - Miguel de Cervantes

In the 8th century, Arab-Moorish armies advanced into the north of the Iberian Peninsula, but as early as the 10th century the area was temporarily reconquered by the Christians (Reconquista). In the late 11th century, Count Pedro Ansúrez made the largely depopulated city his residence, expanded it, and promoted its repopulation (repoblación), which is why he is often considered the actual founder of the city. The University of Valladolid was founded in 1241 by Alfonso VIII of Castille. It is one of the oldest universities in the world.

In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Castile until Philip II moved the center of power to the newly built monastery residence Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial near Madrid in 1561. In 1561 most of the city burned down but was rebuilt under Philip II.

Miguel de Cervantes (1547 - 1616) is considered Spain's national poet. He is the author of Don Quixote.

He led a very adventurous life. After a year of studies, he moved to Rome in 1569 and joined a Spanish navy unit stationed in Naples. He took part in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 and got seriously wounded. After a gunshot wound to his left arm, his left hand was permanently paralyzed.

In 1575 he began his journey home on board a galley. As the ship was already approaching the coast, it was attacked by Algerian corsairs. After a costly battle, the surviving passengers were captured and taken to Algiers as slaves. It was only after five years that Cervantes was able to be ransomed by the Trinitarian Order in 1580 and returned to Spain.
In 1585 he worked as a tax collector. Since he misappropriated church property, he was excommunicated by an inquisition court. In 1590 he unsuccessfully applied for the governorship of the Central American province of Soconusco. He then worked, among other things, for the naval administration and spent 3 months in custody in prison in Seville for alleged embezzlement of state funds.

There he began work on his most important work, "El ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha", the first part of which was published in 1605. He published the second part in 1615.

Although Don Quixote brought the desired success, Cervantes lost the money he had gained. He died impoverished in Madrid in 1616.

In 1877 this monument was erected to him in Valladolid.