El Club · Ampudia

This imposing Gothic-Renaissance church, dating from the 12th to the 16th centuries, is known as the “Giralda de Campos” because of its spectacular 63-meter-tall tower that dominates the town’s skyline. Inside, visitors can explore a three-nave church covered by star-shaped ribbed vaults, featuring highlights such as the main altarpiece, a unique 15th-century walnut pulpit, and the Chapel of San Ildefonso with its valuable tombs. Its great artistic and architectural value—which was enhanced under the patronage of the Duke of Lerma in the 17th century—makes it one of the most iconic monuments in the province of Palencia.

The Ampudia Settling Ponds are a group of artificial wetlands created for water treatment, which have evolved into an area of ecological interest for wetland birdlife. Located in the Tierra de Campos region, at an elevation of 797 meters, these ponds are set within a landscape dominated by vast plains and farmland, typical of the province of Palencia in Castile and León. Although they were originally built for practical purposes, their current state supports both migratory and resident species that take advantage of the environmental conditions to feed and breed. From the visitor center, a 4.6-km circular trail allows visitors to walk around the perimeter of the lagoons, offering magnificent panoramic views of the landscape. The trail offers the opportunity to observe the interaction between the water and the riparian vegetation, as well as the birds that inhabit the wetland. The tranquility of the surroundings and the absence of urban noise make this an ideal spot for nature observation and wildlife photography. The site does not have a specific official protection status, but its ecological importance is recognized in local hiking guides and publications on Ampudia’s natural heritage. It is included in the municipality’s Route 2, which connects the town with the lagoons, and is mentioned in tourism resources such as hotelruralvillaycorte.es and lospueblosmasbonitosdeespana.org. The best time to visit is between spring and fall, when bird activity is at its peak and weather conditions are favorable for hiking.