capital of Palencia provincia (province), in Castile-León comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), north-central Spain. It lies on the Campos Plain southwest of Burgos. Called the Pallantia by the ancient Greek geographers Strabo and Ptolemy, it was the chief town of the Vaccaei, an Iberian tribe. Its history during the Gothic and Moorish periods is obscure, but it was the seat of the Castilian kings and their Cortes (courts of a parliamentary or advisory nature) in the 12th and 13th centuries. In 1520 Palencia participated in the ultimately unsuccessful revolt of the Castilian cities (comuneros) against the Holy Roman emperor Charles V (king of Spain as Charles I in 1516–56). The university founded there in 1208 by Alfonso VIII was removed in 1239 to Salamanca. The Gothic cathedral—begun in 1321, completed in the early 16th century, and dedicated to San Antolín—occupies the site of a church erected (1026–35) by Sancho III Garcés of Navarre and Castile over the cave of San Antolín. The cathedral contains El Greco's St. Sebastian and other valuable paintings, old Flemish tapestry, and magnificent carved woodwork and stonework. Portions of the hospital of San Lázaro are said to date from the time of the Cid (Cid, the), the Spanish soldier-hero celebrated in Spain's epic poem El Cantar de Mío Cid (“The Song of My Cid”), who married Jimena in Palencia in 1074.

Palencia is an important communications centre. Its economy is based on the manufacture of iron, rugs, alcohol, leather, soap, porcelain, linen, cotton, wool, machinery, and matches. Palencia's industries have merged with those of the nearby city of Valladolid. Automaking has become one of the leading industries in the area. Pop. (2006 est.) 82,242.

provincia (province) in the Castile-León comunidad autónoma (autonomous community), northern Spain. It is bounded by the provinces of Cantabria to the north, Burgos to the east, Valladolid to the south and west, and León to the west. It was formed in 1833. The north is traversed by the Cantabrian Mountains, rising to 8,268 feet (2,520 metres) at Curavacas peak. The remainder of Palencia, the fertile Campos Plain, belongs to the great Castilian tableland. The principal rivers are the Pisuerga and Carrión. Minerals have been found in the mountains, but only coal and small quantities of copper are mined. The Castilla Canal (built 1753–1832), on which the provincial capital, Palencia city, is located, connects the province with Valladolid and is used for irrigation as well as transport.

Barley, wheat, alfalfa (lucerne), sugar beets, hemp, and flax are grown; sheep raising is extensive; and linen and woolen stuffs, porcelain, leather, paper, and rugs are manufactured. The metallurgical, automotive, and food-processing industries also are significant. Apart from Palencia city, the chief centres are Venta de Baños, Cervera de Pisuerga, Carrión de los Condes, and Paredes de Nava. Area 3,109 square miles (8,053 square km). Pop. (2007 est.) 173,281.