Romanesque architecture and wine may be the perfect ingredients for a dream weekend getaway; discover it for yourself in Toro.
Toro is a pretty town in the province of Zamora, famous for its wines and where history abounds. It is located atop a high plain looking over the magnificent valley of the River Duero. If you are thinking of organising a holiday in Toro to taste the wines, you should set aside some time to visit the fascinating sights to be found around the town centre.
As you walk through the streets of this charming town, in every corner you’ll see the remnants of an intense past: this town was once the stage for battles between Christians and Muslims, a provincial capital and a court of kings, as is reflected in the monasteries, convents, palaces and stately houses.
The most noteworthy of the monuments is the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, a beautiful Romanesque church built between the 11th and 12th centuries. Next to the church, you can go up to the Mirador del Espolón, a viewpoint where you can take in the beautiful view of the whole of the Vega del Duero. If you want to discover the Romanesque-Mudéjar style that so beautifully characterises the town’s architecture, visit the church of San Lorenzo el Real and the church of San Salvador de los Caballeros, which houses the Museo de Arte Sacro, a museum dedicated to religious art. You can also see the remains of the town walls from the 10th century, along with the rear gates, Puerta de la Corredera and Puerta de Santa Catalina.
Start looking for package holidays to Toro and if you’re a wine lover you’ll also be able to include some guided tours of wineries and wine tasting. Although it is Toro’s exquisite wine that has brought fame to the region, the delicious cheeses of Zamora are also a highlight, and together they form the perfect combination.
The town’s location, close to the major towns and cities of the Castile-Leon region, makes it easy to find cheap trips to Toro from many parts of the Spanish mainland. The nearest airport is in Valladolid, from where you can rent a car and plan your own personalised wine trail, adding stops at other nearby towns, such as Morales de Toro or Zamora.
