a visit not to be missed right next door

Puebla de Sanabria is a city very close to our country and with a lot to offer and show. Never heard of it? So schedule a visit.

From sun to snow. so it is Puebla de Sanabria🇧🇷 Its Natural Park is “capable of offering” snow in winter, a landscape of changing colors in autumn and calm and pleasant waters in summer. All in the same place, in the same region🇧🇷

That’s why, Puebla de Sanabria it really is “a box of surprises”, with river beaches of sand and stone, natural charms to lose count, but also a lot of history and monuments for those who like to observe the marks of time in a city.

Oh, and another thing, it’s so close that there’s no excuse not to get to know Puebla de Sanabria on your next weekend getaway. In fact, it is so close to our border that the traces of the Portuguese passing through the land multiply, at a time when the kings of the two countries invaded the neighboring country every other day.

The fantastic lake, with beaches hidden among the trees, is one of the great attractions in the hot summer months. In winter, an immense white mantle covers the village, giving rise to magnificent images.

The wall that surrounds the city can be visited, where some plots built by the Portuguese are marked, ending in a typically Spanish plaza, even inviting to rest. Find out more about Puebla de Sanabria.

Puebla de Sanabria: the many facets of the city that you have to discover

Puebla de Sanabria is one of the oldest towns in Zamora, dating back to the year 509. In the 10th century, there was even talk of a city of “Senabrie”, as the organizational center of the surrounding territory.

Its proximity to Portugal is one of its attractions, being about 40 km from Bragança🇧🇷 As in the rest medieval Spanish villagesPuebla de Sanabria also breathes history and tradition in some points of interest that you shouldn’t miss.

monuments

• Castle of Puebla de Sanabria: Built in the mid-15th century, this castle is located in a privileged spot and is a fortress, built in granite, with a quadrangular plan and a central tower. More information
• Historical Artistic Set: The village preserves the marks of a fortified bastion, which saw many battles. Therefore, it is considered a historic-artistic complex, the result of its walled area and also of the state of conservation of its houses, many of which are emblazoned.
• Convent of San Francisco: In the village’s neighbourhood, this well-preserved and modest-looking building is located. The convent was dedicated to Saint Bernardino, where Franciscan friars lived there. Currently, it serves as a school, keeping the church open for worship.
• Hermitage of San Caetano: A small baroque chapel, adjacent to the 18th-century church, it has an extraordinarily adorned façade.
• Our Lady of Azogue Church: Located in Praça Maior, this church dates back to the 12th century and has Romanesque and Gothic features. In addition, it has an organ whose origin dates back to the year 1780. More information
• Walls: Dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, the walls of Sanabria have an irregular polygonal shape, with an oval tendency. The defense of the territory was made through several cubes and square towers, arranged irregularly along the perimeter.

Festivities, traditions and gastronomy

• Feast of Our Lady of Victories: This celebration takes place in the Church of Nossa Senhora del Azogue and commemorates the recognition of the original statutes of the confraternity.
• Medieval Market: This ancient tradition was recovered in the 90s of the last century and is celebrated once a year, on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, on August 15th. As in any market of this kind, the intention is to recover commercial traditions and provide a popular and cultural festival, between residents and visitors.
• Gastronomy: It can be said that everything you eat in Sanabria is fresh and of good quality and its gardens provide the best vegetables and fruits; from the waters come the best fish; from the pasture fields the best meats; and even the bread is delicious. Likewise, as for desserts, there are also plenty to choose from, but delicacies such as baked apples or boiled chestnuts are at the top of the list in Puebla de Sanabria.

routes

• Sanabria Lake Natural Park: This is a unique natural space, in the extreme west of Zamora, next to the Segundera and Cabrera mountains. The Park has 33,302 hectares, but the fame of this place is due, above all, to its lake of glacial origin, the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, with 318.7 hectares and a maximum depth of 53 meters. In addition, in the mountains, there are many other small lakes, waterfalls and streams that give the area a landscape full of beauty. More information >>
• Tejedelo route: Here, the proposal is that you stroll through a forest full of millennial yews (a kind of tree)! To reach them, you will have to pass through the Castro river valley, cross former pasture areas, reaching a viewpoint from where you will be able to start observing this wonderful “community” of yew trees. Route duration: 2h30
• Sotillo Waterfalls: If you are looking for waterfalls and lagoons, then in the Lago de Sanabria Natural Park you can find another route, this time to these waterfalls and, if you so wish, also to the Sotillo lagoon. However, go with time and perseverance, as the total route will take no less than 5 hours to complete.
• The Walls: For those looking for more historic routes, with a bit of archeology in the mix, head to this castro, which is located at the end of the municipality of Lubián, and dates back to the Iron Age. Thus, its uniqueness is due, among other things, to its defensive system.
• Sierra da Culebra: For those looking for nature in its pure state, here you will find the conditions and everything you need to make full contact with the fauna and get to know a series of species, all of which are protected, such as the wolf, wild boar and partridge, for example.
• Bragança: And, on the return journey, be sure to stop by Bragança and visit all of its heritage, with prehistoric remains. Discover its Military Museum, Episcopal Palace, Castle Walls, Pelourinho, Abade Baçal Museum, among other attractions.

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How to get

To get to Puebla de Sanabria, take the A4 to Bragança and after entering Spain, through the Quintanilha area, the path is almost straight to the Spanish village. If you enter terra de nuestros hermanos from another point (such as Chaves), take the A52, the Autovia das Rías Baixas, which connects Porriño to Benavente.

Where to stay

Hotel D. Pepe🇧🇷 It is just 100 meters from Lago de Sanabria, about 14 kilometers from the center of town. Surrounded by mountains and woods, it is an excellent place for a relaxing weekend or a more hectic summer holiday. It was completely refurbished in 2006.

Pousada de Pedrazales🇧🇷 Accommodation of great historical value. It dates from the 12th century and was a former royal house of King Fernando II. It is located on the perimeter of Lago de Sanabria, two kilometers from the city.

Parador de Turismo de Puebla de Sanabria🇧🇷 Right in the city center is this hotel from the Parador chain. It is the ideal place for excursions, allowing direct contact with the historical and monumental part of the town.

What to eat

If there’s one thing that Puebla de Sanabria doesn’t lack for, it’s restaurants. They offer various types of food, most of which are very similar to the gastronomy of Trás-os-Montes.

There are also, of course, the traditional Spanish tapas everywhere, always accompanied by a refreshing caña or an ice-cold sangria.