La visit to Zamora it can be done on a short weekend getaway. This provincial capital is a place with enough monuments and points of interest to spend a couple of days there. However, it is a fairly quiet place, which still has not lost that local and cozy touch.
La The city of Zamora stands out for its Romanesque, for its old town and for that cozy atmosphere. Near the city there are also places of interest, such as Puebla de Sanabria or Lake Sanabria. Do not forget to enjoy everything there is to see in Zamora.
Plaza Mayor
En full old town is the Plaza Mayor, the nerve center of the city. In this square there are several things to see, so we must stop for a while. The Old Town Hall is a Plateresque-style building from the XNUMXth century. In front of this building is the new town hall. In this square you can also see the Church of San Juan from the XNUMXth century, in which its beautiful rose window and that Romanesque style that proliferated so much in this area of the Peninsula stands out. In fact, we can use this square to begin the Romanesque route that takes place in the city.
Churches in Zamora
If we can see something in the city of Zamora, they are old and well-preserved churches. We have the Church of Santa María la Nueva from the XNUMXth century, with its old baptismal font. The church of La Magdalena also dates from the XNUMXth century, hence the importance of the Romanesque in this area. This is one of the most important churches in the city. The most significant thing about it is its cover. Near this is the church of San Idelfonso, with a neoclassical façade.
Troncoso viewpoint
If we go down to the Plaza de Arias Gonzalo we can enjoy the great views offered by the Troncoso viewpoint over the Douro river. From the viewpoint you can take great pictures of the stone bridge over the river. Also, it is a quiet area and you can see some of the old city bridge on the other side. It is the ideal place to stop and rest a bit during the visit. In addition, near this area is the house of Arias Gonzalo, which is known as the Casa del Cid because it is said that this was where the Cid Campeador grew up.
Zamora Cathedral
The Cathedral of Zamora is, of course, of romantic style in essence, since with time some other details of different styles were added that make it not as austere as the Romanesque cathedrals. In it we find a curious dome of Arab influence that has nothing to do with typical cathedrals, and less with Romanesque ones. Hence, it is an easy cathedral to distinguish. The Puerta del Obispo is the only Romanesque door that is preserved today, so it is also of great value. You can visit its interior, where the XNUMXth century cloister is located, with a fairly simple style. It has a Cathedral Museum and several chapels.
Zamora Castle
Not much remains of the Castillo de Zamora, as it is thought to have been built in the XNUMXth century. It is located next to the cathedral, so both can be visited in a short time. Actually, there is not much left of the castle, but it is an essential visit in the city. You can see some of the moat and the old wall, as well as some restored towers. The parade ground can be seen although it is in ruins. This is a castle that rather counts as a defensive fortress. As part of the castle is the Baltasar Lobo Museum, dedicated to this local sculptor.
The olive groves
The olive groves are old stone mills located next to the river. Apparently they worked centuries ago, specifically from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century. They fell into disuse and were abandoned, until it was decided to restore them due to their historical and tourist importance. These mills today house a visitor center where you can learn a little more about their operation, as well as being able to see them inside and enjoy the exhibits and old tools.
Palace of the Momos
The Palace of the Momos in a renaissance building of which the fifteenth century façade is preserved. You can see many details of the Renaissance Gothic style. At present, the Provincial Court is located there, which is why it is known as the Palace of Justice, although a long time ago there was a project to turn it into a luxury hotel, although the idea did not come to fruition. You have to appreciate all the details of the windows, where animals are carved in stone.