Zamora - Castilla y Leon, España

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Zamora is strategically located on a hill surrounded by the Duero river. It is the capital city of the province of Zamora and it has a rich artistic and monumental heritage. It is also known as 'The Romanesque City'. The old city center in Zamora has been declared an Historic-Artistic Site.

The city used to be heavily fortified, with three defensive belts of walls. The first of these walls is preserved almost in its entiriety. Remaining highlights in this defence system include the Portillo de la Traición, the Doña Urraca Door and the Bishop's Door. The city's Castle and Cathedral also dominate the scene. The old Arab fortress, which is surrounded by Castle Park, still has its original Torre de Homenaje (Tower of Homage), gate and moat. The Zamora Cathedral is also located beside the fortress and its tower and dome are, without doubt, its most characteristic elements. The best times to visit Zamora are during its Easter celebrations, the International Festival of Tourist Interest, or during the summer months when visitors can enjoy guided tours of the city complete with medieval legends. The province of Zamora: Nature lovers can visit the Lago de Sanabria Nature Park, where, amidst the beautiful mountain scenery, they can find the largest lake in Spain. The park's Interpretation Center contains information about the best walking routes in the area. The Lago de Sanabria Nature Park is located in the northwest of the province of Zamora, in the natural region of Sanabria. It is a mountainous area with deep valleys and many glacial lakes. The province of Zamora has many interesting historic towns, such as Benavente, Valparaíso and Hiniesta. The Ruta Vía de la Plata, the road that connects Seville to Oviedo, has passed through the province of Zamora since Roman times. The 'Ribera del Duero' (route of the Duero river) is another major backbone of this province. There are numerous castles situated along this route as it was the border with the Muslim world in the tenth century.