Memories of Zamora - Part One

Zamora, apart from being another of those historic Spanish cities, which have the proud merit of being considered as Historical and Cultural Heritage, also has another interesting distinction added: that of being also considered a capital of Romanesque Art.

In addition, detail this one, of which the Zamoranos are tremendously proud, and ambiguities aside, the rest of the Spaniards have no choice but to agree with them resignedly.

Apart from its splendid cathedral, whose Byzantine dome already constitutes by itself a wonderful work of Art worthy of the most praiseworthy, so many Romanesque churches survive in a meritorious state of conservation, that those who are passionate about this legendary art, who are more and more , they usually experience in the streets of Zamora, that artistic overload, which is usually defined by the literary name of Stendhal Syndrome.

Located on the banks of a river, the Duero, which continues with melancholy parsimony its eternal flow towards Portugal to join in holy marriage with the waters of the mighty Atlantic, Zamora, as far as History is concerned, could well be defined as possessed by the no less significant Peter Pan syndrome: it is like a child who refuses to grow up.

And it is not for less, because she, painting in golds - metaphorical license, which I hope you will excuse me - continues to be the immortal cradle of heroes and heroines of those sub-chapters, right and left, of the history of Spain, where they met, following the directives of destinations as uncertain as that Wheel of Fortune that is usually represented, sometimes in its entirety and other times its spokes smashed, at the foot of Santa Catalina and whose history is still perceived in all those places they inhabited.

Queens with metaphorical chest hair, as far as character and guts are concerned; nobles, not so noble and traitors; mercenaries who were here consecrated knights and after their deaths surrendered Muslim cities; Brotherhoods with their fists in their faces and drums of frenzied passion, are also part of a splendid cultural ensemble that invites not only contemplation, but also reflection.

Do you dare to walk with me through Zamora?

NOTICE: Both the text and the photographs that accompany it are my exclusive intellectual property and therefore are subject to my Copyright.