Located on the north bank of the Douro River, Zamora is a captivating city that has been referred to as a “museum of Romanesque art” due to its exceptional architecture. During the Middle Ages, Zamora held a strategic position in the conflicts waging between the Kingdom of Leon, the Almoravids and the Almohads.
Things to do in Zamora
Don’t miss the monumental Zamora Cathedral, a 12th-century masterpiece surrounded by defensive walls and gates. It is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Spain, with a 45-metre-high bell tower and an elaborately decorated dome. Occupying its 17th-century cloister is the Cathedral Museum, which houses Flemish tapestries and a gilded monstrance.
Behind the cathedral is the Castillo de Zamora, a Romanesque fortification built between the 10th and 12th centuries. Throughout its history, it has been used as a prison and a court of justice, with the complex now open to visitors. From the keep, there are elevated views across the Douro River and its 13th-century stone bridge, the Puente de Piedra.
One of Zamora’s most famous sons is Baltasar Lobo, a Spanish artist who was born in the village of Cerecinos de Campos in 1910. At the Museo Baltasar Lobo, you can admire his sculptures, paintings and photographs, many of which depict mother and child. History buffs can head to the Museo Etnográfico de Castilla y León, which explores traditional life in the region.
Getting around Zamora
Zamora is around 45 minutes’ drive from Salamanca and just over an hour from Valladolid Airport, which has flights to destinations across Spain. The much larger Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is under three hours away. Regular trains connect to the Zamora railway station and buses travel throughout the city.