9 towns in Zamora to visit

Visit the towns of Zamora is to take a trip through the rich history of Castilla and for their monuments, which respond to the medieval Romanesque and Gothic styles, but also to the Renaissance and Baroque. Furthermore, it allows us to discover landscapes full of charm and ecological value.

Among the latter is the Sanabria Lake Natural Park, which is the largest among those of glacial origin in the entire Iberian Peninsula. Also the area of ​​the Sierra de la Culebra, cataloged as a Place of Community Importance, which already borders Portugal. And all this without forgetting the Villafáfila lagoons and the banks of the Duero. We are going to talk to you about all of this in this article about nine towns in Zamora to visit.

Rihonor of Castile

Precisely, in the Sierra de la Culebra you will find this beautiful town that has a unique peculiarity. Forms unity with that of Onor River, on the other side of the Portuguese border. Only the fictitious border line separates them. It belongs to the municipality of Pedralba de la Pradería and it is washed by the Fontano River.

Currently, it only has about thirty inhabitants. But it still preserves beautiful samples of the popular slate architecture of the area. Also, you should visit the church of Santa Marina, which dates back to the 13th century, although its current form is from the 16th century. It is a small temple that stands out precisely for its slate walls and its double bell tower.

Puebla de Sanabria

The previous town belongs to the judicial district of Puebla de Sanabria , which is larger than that one, with about thirteen hundred inhabitants. But, above all, it had greater strategic importance both due to its natural configuration and its border character.

These same reasons made it one of the most important towns in Zamora, where civil, military and religious leaders settled. This has led to it having many monuments. In fact, the entire villa is good of cultural interest.

It still preserves part of its medieval defensive structures. But, above all, you must visit the castle of the counts of Benavente, built in the 15th century and featuring its large keep. Very close to him you have the Town Hall, with its large arches, which was built in the 18th century. And, as for the religious heritage of the town, you should see the Romanesque church of Santa María del Azogue and baroque hermitage of San Cayetano.

On the other hand, don't forget to do some of the beautiful hiking trails through the Sanabria Lake Natural Park. Finally, if you like popular traditions, discover the Museum of Giants and Bigheads of the locality.

Toro, one of the most important towns in Zamora

We now arrive at one of the most important towns in Zamora. Next to the capital already Benavente, Toro is the only one in the entire province that exceeds five thousand inhabitants. But, above all, it is a town full of history and monuments.

It was of great importance between the 12th and 17th centuries, a period in which it was the royal seat and even housed the celebration of courts. As a result, there are many monuments that you must see in Toro. As for civilians, it still retains parts of its medieval wall, with doors like that of the Market. Likewise, it is impressive alcazar, a 10th century fortification several times renovated that stands out for its high walls and seven towers.

In addition, there are many stately palaces and ancestral homes in the Zamora town. Among them, we will mention the palaces of the Ulloa, the Marquises of Alcañices, the Monsalve and the Nunciature. Finally, Toro's civil heritage is completed by Latorre theater, declared an asset of cultural interest.

As for religious architecture, it does not lag behind the previous one. In the Castilian town, the set of Mozarabic churches from the 12th and 13th centuries, although many of them were renovated later. Among them, for example, you have those of San Julián de los Caballeros, San Lorenzo el Real and Santo Tomás Canturianense. Also, you have to visit the monastery of Sancti Spiritus el Real, which dates back to the 14th century and houses the town's Museum of Sacred Art, with an impressive collection of polychrome sargas. Likewise, you should look at the beautiful mausoleum sarcophagus of Beatrice of Portugal.

But the great symbol of Toro is the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, an architectural marvel from the 12th century. Although it is mostly Romanesque, it also has Gothic elements and highlights the impressive portico of the Majesty. Finally, in its sacristy you have an ivory calvary unique in Spain and the oil panel of the Virgen de la Mosca.

Tabara

On our tour of the towns of Zamora we now arrive at Tábara, birthplace of the poet León Felipe. It is located in the center-north of the province, in an area inhabited since ancient times, as proven by the archaeological sites of El Casal, Los Barros or El Bosque.

As a curiosity, we will tell you that the famous monastery of San Salvador, founded in the 9th century, which had more than six hundred monks and from which came the famous Mozarabic codex named Blessed of Távara.

The two main monuments of this town are precisely religious. The first is the church of Santa Maria, declared an asset of cultural interest. It was built in the 12th century by order of the bishop Roberto de Astorga and responds to the Romanesque style. As for the second, it is the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, built in the mid-16th century as part of the palace of the Marquises of Tábara.

Camarzana de Tera

You will find this small town in the region of Benavente and Los Valles, about seventy kilometers from the capital. It is also an area inhabited since ancient times, since in the area called The Castro Celtic remains and a later Roman villa have been found, with extensive mosaics.

As for its monuments, you should look at its traditional-style houses made with adobe and with wooden balconies or corridors on their first floors. But, above all, visit the parish church, which houses a beautiful baroque altarpiece. And also the Hermitage of the Trinity, which dates back to the 17th century and around which a pilgrimage is celebrated at the end of May.

Santa Cruz de los Cuerrágos

Belonging to the municipality of Manzanal de Arriba, this small town stands out for its impressive natural environment. It is in full Sierra de la Culebra, specifically, on the slope of Peña Castillo, facing Portugal. Precisely, this has led to a type of architecture adapted to the terrain that has earned it recognition as an asset of cultural interest as ethnological set.

On the other hand, you should also visit in Santa Cruz de los Cuérragos the church of the holy cross, the call hells bridge and the fountains and pylons of the town.

fermoselle

We now travel to Sayago region to tell you about other charming towns in Zamora. Simply its location is already spectacular, as it is located on rocks, surrounded by the Duero and Tormes rivers. In fact, this town is also known as "the balcony of the Douro" through the viewpoints that offer you spectacular views of the reaches of this river.

But, if its nature is extraordinary, its monuments are no less so. The urban area of ​​Fermoselle is classified as historical-artistic complex. Furthermore, in this town you must visit the remains of the Dona Urraca's castle and churches of Our Lady of the Assumption, dated to the 13th century, and San Juan.

deerville

Included in the Carballeda region and located at the foot of the Sierra de la Culebra, the town of Villardeciervos was also inhabited since ancient times. This is shown by the archaeological remains found in the Peña del Castro. Going up to it will allow you to discover them, but also obtain wonderful views of the area.

On the other hand, in the urban area of ​​the town, once again, the traditional style houses stand out. Likewise, you should look at the remains of the old hermitage, which, in its time, was a place of pilgrimage in tribute to the image of Our Lady of the Incarnation, which is now venerated in the parish church.

Galende, another of the towns in Zamora that stands out for its nature

We return to the Sanabria region, with its impressive lake, to tell you about another of the towns in Zamora that you should visit. Galende is bathed by the Tera River and, precisely, one of its main monuments is the La Puente mill, who used his wealth. Also, nearby you have a small dam.

We also advise you to visit the parish church of San Mamés, inside which you have a beautiful altarpiece. But the most important monument of the municipality is the monastery of San Martín de Castañeda, which you will find in the town of the same name. Built in the 10th century on the remains of a previous one, it was one of the most important in the Kingdom of Leon. In fact, several monarchs, such as Ordoño III, they spent time in it.

In conclusion, we have shown you nine towns of Zamora that you should visit both for its landscape value and for its monumental beauty. Also, by the way, we recommend that you visit the capital of the province, Zamora, with its impressive set of Romanesque buildings, Dare to take this trip.