Permanent exhibition
The Palace, as an interpretation centre on the figure of Isabella the Catholic, has a complete permanent exhibition divided into different areas:
- Reception area and the start of the visit. This area has different resources that explain Queen Isabella’s ties with Medina del Campo, as well as the history of the building itself.
- Childhood, youth and reign. In this room you can see the main events that marked the life of the Queen, supported by different interpretive resources.
- Last will and testament. Two rooms which highlight the importance and contents of the will and codicil of Isabella the Catholic, as well as details of her death.
- Third voyage of Christopher Columbus. An interactive room which explains the explorer’s third voyage to the new world.
Temporary Exhibitions
To complement the permanent exhibition, the palace holds temporary exhibitions that can be produced in-house or in partnership with other institutions.
Rest area
The palace has stone benches in the front courtyard.
WC
The Royal Testamentary Palace has public toilets. One on the ground floor and one on the first floor adapted for use by people with disabilities or reduced mobility.
Gift shop
The gift shop by the reception has a selection of souvenirs (postcards, bookmarks, books, etc.).
Archives
Documents on the history of Medina del Campo and Isabella the Catholic that users can access on request from the Director of the Centre or by using the “Ysabelcard”.
Hosting events
If you believe that a cultural activity you are designing or producing (concert, photo exhibition, media article, film, theatrical performance, conference cycle, meeting, etc.) could be hosted at the Palace, please contact the management of the Royal Testamentary Palace, who will study your proposal.
General rules
- Smoking is prohibited in the palace grounds (including inner and outer courtyards).
- Children under the age of 4 year must walk hand-in-hand with an adult and all other minors must be supervised by a responsible person.
- Intellectual property and reproduction rights restrict the taking and sharing of photos for commercial use or financial gain. The personal recording, distribution or sale of video images is prohibited.
- For security reasons, it is not allowed to enter the grounds with sharp objects, packages or bags larger than 40 x 40 cm.
- It is not allowed to rest on, move or tamper with museum exhibits and devices: screens, tripods, lights, overhead lighting, display units, panels, windows, etc. It is also forbidden to access restricted spaces.
- It is forbidden to push or bump into other visitors, run, obstruct entrances and exits, sit on the stairs, cause crowds, and speak in a high tone of voice. Actions of this type, or any others which may be a hazard or cause damage to the installations and exhibits of the Royal Testamentary Palace or to visitors themselves, shall be grounds for immediate expulsion from the site, without prejudice to any other responsibilities to which they are entitled.
Recommendations
Below is a list of recommendations to make your visit as enjoyable as possible.
- Find out about how to get to the Palace and whether you qualify for joint admissions, discounts, etc., either via this website or by phoning, emailing or visiting us in person.
- Keep your ticket handy in case you are asked to show it during your visit.
- Arrive at the Palace with enough time to enjoy your visit. Work out the time needed to move between the different tourist attractions in the town in order to organise your time in Medina del Campo.
- Remember that in high season the number of visitors may increase the waiting time to get your tickets.
- Remember that joint admission tickets can also be purchased at the Castillo la Mota Visitor Centre together with one of the guided or dramatised tours of the castle.
Lost property
In the event of the loss of personal belongings, please go to the reception area of the Royal Testamentary Palace, where staff will check if any objects have been found.
If you have already left the Palace, please send an email to info@palaciorealtestamentario.es
Objects found will be kept for a maximum of 30 days. After this time, they will be thrown away.
Accessibility
The Interpretation Centre is equipped with facilities so that people with some kind of physical disability can access all the rooms of the Royal Testamentary Palace. Lifts, adapted bathrooms and ramps are available to anyone who may need to use them.
Guide dogs are allowed, as are pets certified as providers of pet therapy.
Lending service
The Palace has a selected bibliography on the figure of Isabella the Catholic and history/art magazines available for loan for holders of the “Ysabelcard”.
What is considered a group?
A prearranged visit to the Palace of at least 25 people, not including the guide or teacher. If the group is bigger than 55 people, it will be divided into different subgroups.
How to reserve
In all cases, a reservation is required at least 24 hours in advance, stating the day and time of the visit to the Royal Testamentary Palace either by email, in person, via reception or by telephone. This requirement applies both to guided and unguided tours in order to benefit from the reduced admission for groups. This reservation will not be valid unless it has been confirmed by the Palace.
Arrival at the Royal Testamentary Palace and admission fees
In order to perform the pre-visit procedures, groups must arrive at the reception of the Royal Testamentary Palace in advance (the group leader at least 10 minutes prior to the prearranged time for the visit if payment needs to be made and 5 minutes if payment has been made). The group leader will be the only contact with Royal Testamentary Palace staff regarding organisation, admission fees or similar.
Payment may be made by cash in a one-off payment, by advance payment via bank transfer upon request (special visits must always be paid in advance) or by credit or debit card (available at the Castillo La Mota Visitor Centre).
The group must respect the times stated in the reservation. Late arrival may delay the start of the visit, alter the contents or even cause cancellation, always at the discretion of the Royal Testamentary Palace and without any grounds for complaint.
When booking, please state the number of people who will be in the group. If, without prior notice, fewer than 25 people turn up, the management reserves the right to cancel the guided tour or charge admission for the minimum number of people considered to be a group.
The duration of the tour is 45 minutes. Once it is over, and if within the opening times, the group may continue the visit on their own.
Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode during the tour of the Royal Testamentary Palace. If it is unavoidable to answer or make a phone call, the visitor must leave the room where the guide and/or other visitors are.
Group leaders
Groups of children under the age of 18 must always be accompanied by a teacher or group leader over the age of 18.
Group members must stay together and be accompanied by the leader(s) at all times.
Guide dogs, working dogs or other pets certified as providers of pet therapy may accompany a visitor (as long as their condition can be proved).
Cancellations
If you have confirmed a reservation for a guided tour, cancellations must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
If the group fails to appear at the prearranged time without explanation and without having cancelled the reservation, 100% of the total payment shall be charged.
Conducting guided tours of the centre entails full acceptance of the rules of the Royal Testamentary Palace.
What is considered a school group?
A prearranged visit to the Palace of at least 25 and up to 55 schoolchildren, including the guide or teacher.
How to reserve
In all cases, a reservation is required, stating the day and time of the visit to the Royal Testamentary Palace either by email, in person, via reception or by telephone, at least 24 hours in advance and with explicit confirmation from the Royal Testamentary Palace.
A prior reservation may be made stating a day and time, but this must be confirmed by the group leader when definite. Similarly, if it were necessary to cancel the prior reservation, the Palace must be notified as soon as possible. A prior reservation does not entitle you to ultimately take the tour unless it has been confirmed before the specified day.
Arrival at the Royal Testamentary Palace and admission fees
In order to perform the pre-visit procedures, groups must arrive at the reception of the Royal Testamentary Palace in advance (at least 10 minutes prior to the prearranged time for the visit if payment needs to be made and 5 minutes if payment has been made). The group leader will be the only contact with Royal Testamentary Palace staff regarding organisation, admission fees or similar.
Payment may be made by cash in a one-off payment, by advance payment via bank transfer upon request (special visits must always be paid in advance) or by credit or debit card (available at the Castillo La Mota Visitor Centre).
The group must respect the times stated in the reservation. Late arrival may delay the start of the visit, alter the contents or even cause cancellation, always at the discretion of the Royal Testamentary Palace and without any grounds for complaint.
When booking, please state the number of people who will be in the group. If, without prior notice, fewer than 25 people turn up, the management reserves the right to cancel the guided tour or charge admission for the minimum number of people considered to be a group.
Mobile phones must be switched to silent mode during the tour of the Royal Testamentary Palace. If it is unavoidable to answer or make a phone call, the visitor must leave the room where the guide and/or other visitors are.
For tours using a Teaching Unit, the Palace shall send a copy to the teacher. The teacher is recommended to carry out the first and third sessions in the classroom.
The duration of the tour is 45 minutes. Once it is over, and if within the opening times, the group may continue the visit on their own.
Group leaders
Groups of children under the age of 18 must always be accompanied by a teacher or group leader over the age of 18.
Schools will benefit from two free tickets per group for teachers.
Group members must stay together and be accompanied by the leader(s) at all times.
Guide dogs, working dogs or other pets certified as providers of pet therapy may accompany a visitor (as long as their condition can be proved).
Cancellations
If you have confirmed a reservation for a guided tour, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
If the group fails to appear at the prearranged time without explanation and without having cancelled the reservation, 100% of the total payment shall be charged.
Palace guide.
Map of Medina.
How to visit the palace. Type of visits for groups and individuals.
