Frómista is one of those hidden treasures of Castile that you can't miss. This small village is located right on the French Camino de Santiago and is an unmissable stop for many pilgrims, who find shelter in the various hostels. It is also crossed by the Canal de Castilla and is home to one of the greatest Roman jewels in Palencia.
What more reasons could you need for discovering this Roman jewel of Palencia and very important historical point of communication for the north of the country? Read on to discover the must-see places in Fromista!
If you are interested in artistic and monumental tourism, you will be impressed by the heritage in this village. The church of San Martín de Tours is its best specimen. This building is the only surviving Benedictine monastery, constructed in 1066 by order of Doña Mayor de Castilla. It is one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in Palencia, although this comes as no surprise.
Its beautiful original architecture has been painstaking restored, making it one of the best preserved buildings of this style. We recommend that you visit its spectacular interior, home to the barrel vault that has survived intact to this day.
After the church, you can go to Calle del Milagro, which owes its name to the Piedra del Milagro: this sculptured work of an embossed chalice represents the Sacred Form and the paten that it could not be taken off when a villager was trying to receive communion on his deathbed. Discover the full story in the multimedia museum Vestigia-Leyenda del Camino installed in the church of Santa María del Castillo.
Very close to this place, we will find the church of San Telmo, in the Plaza de Tuy. Its name honours San Telmo, the patron saint of sailors and of this village, which is twinned with the maritime town of Tuy, where the remains of this saint rest. Spend a good while in this church, as its museum contains many relics and sculptures of incalculable value, such as the miracle patten, the Virgen Panadera (Our Lady the Baker) and a magnificent Ecce Homo.
Don't forget to take a tour of the church of San Pedro. The charm of this Gothic building lies in the building of it, which took almost a century. You can admire a Renaissance altarpiece inside.
As we were saying, Frómista stands on the Camino de Santiago, making it a mandatory stop for those departing from Roncesvalles. The town is also home to three hostels for pilgrims to spend the night.
To finish the tour, visit the stretch of the Canal de Castilla (Canal of Castile) that passes through this town: a spectacular 18th-century feat of engineering through which you can relive the region's great age of sailing.
Marvel at its set of 4 locks, which raise the level up to about 14 m. And if you have time, even take a barge along the canal. Meet at the pier, next to the locks.
And if you plan to visit in autumn, take advantage of the milder temperatures, but still sunny days, to do this quietly at sunset: the symphony of golds, yellows and ochres in the landscape will not disappoint you.
Frómista is just a few kilometres from Palencia, meaning that the best option to visit this beautiful town is from the provincial capital.
What's more our Media Distancia (mid-distance) trains connect Frómista and the other towns through which the Canal passes to Valladolid, Palencia and Santander. You can also travel to the town from Madrid connecting through Valladolid.
Don't think twice and discover Frómista with Renfe! Discover our routes, choose the one that best suits you and travel in a fast, comfortable and sustainable way.