A Short Tour Of Toro, In Zamora

Toro, known as ‘the Duero balcony’, is one of the most beautiful cities in Zamora, an incredible place full of history and spectacular monuments. We are talking about a unique city that invites you to stop at every church, every street and palace. Do you want to know more about her?

The city of Toro

Toro is a municipality located in the fertile valley of the Duero, about 33 kilometers away from Zamora capital. It is one of the cities with the most history in the province, something that is reflected in the incredible monuments that were built in it.

But long before, since ancient times, Toro was inhabited. This fact is reflected in sculptural remains such as the stone boars that populate the city. Romans, Visigoths and Muslims realized the good situation that Toro is in and they also populated and magnified it.

What to see in Toro

Strolling through the streets of Toro is already a wonder in itself. You will be able to contemplate a city of medieval urbanism with beautiful houses, palaces and churches, as well as the beautiful banks of the Duero River. We propose some of the places that you cannot miss.

1. The Roman bridge

It is one of the oldest buildings in Toro. It is a stone bridge through which you can walk and cross the Douro River in parallel. It is made up of 22 arches and is actually from the 12th century, although it possibly sits where there was previously one from Roman times.

The extraordinary thing about this bridge is that it is parallel to the river and not perpendicular. Therefore, it does not actually cross it, a fact that experts believe may be due to the fact that its construction was carried out when the river flowed in another way.

2. Alcazar de Toro

It is an old fortress from the 10th century with a square plan and huge defensive towers. This fortification served as a royal residence and witnessed the massacre orchestrated by Pedro I the Cruel in the 14th century. Its construction was made with boulders from the river and can be visited, although it lacks the keep, demolished in the 19th century.

3. Monastery of Sancti Spiritu el Real

It is another of the monuments that you cannot miss. There you will find the Museo de Arte Sacro de Toro, a museum where you can see an incredible collection of polychrome sergas. You will also see the mausoleum dedicated to Beatriz de Portugal, wife of King Juan I of Castile, a work of art made of alabaster.

The monastery dates from the early 14th century and was sponsored by a Portuguese noblewoman with the help of King Alfonso XI. In it you can visit the church and sacristy, as well as the rooms of the monastery, contemplating the works of art that it possesses, although hundreds of objects disappeared in the 19th century, as the Dominican nuns who inhabited it were forced to leave it.

4. Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, the jewel of Toro

A building that is, without a doubt, the great jewel of architecture and art in the city of Toro. Its origin is in the 12th century, it was sponsored by the Kings of León and it is one of the best examples of Romanesque in Spain. Inspired by the cathedral of Zamora, it has a Latin cross plan with three naves, ending in semicircular apses.

Next to the transept we find its tower and  in the center of it is its magnificent dome. On the outside, the decoration is concentrated on the covers, the Majesty’s portico being the most striking and rich in sculptural motifs.

Inside there is nothing that does not attract attention, although it is in the sacristy where the best art samples are found. They highlight a silver monstrance from the 16th century that was in London until 2005; the painting of La Virgen de la Mosca , also from the 16th century; and a beautiful Calvary made with ivory and tortoiseshell shell dating from the seventeenth century.

5. Other monuments that you cannot miss in Toro

Although the monuments mentioned are the most important, we recommend that, if you have time, visit the impressive churches of Toro. We refer to churches such as San Sebastián, Santo Sepulcro, Santa María de la Vega, San Lorenzo el Real or San Salvador de los Caballeros, among others.