The Parador in Zamora is the former palace of the counts of Alba de Aliste, a beautiful 15th century Renaissance palace built in the center of the old city.
Palace
This is the front facade of the palace. The extension behind is very sympathetic so that you hardly notice the difference. Our stay here was most enjoyable and very comfortable.
The hotel stands on the Square of Viriato which last year hosted cheese stalls and this year had a vintage car rally. Viriato (d.139 BC) was a leader of the Lusitanian people and led a rebellion against the Roman invasion of western Iberia. His statue, somewhat pompous, overlooks the square.
The interior of the Parador is simple, but spotlessly clean and very comfortable and elegant. Like most of the old palaces we have seen there is a central, interior courtyard.
And a wonderful terrace where you can sit before dinner in the evenings. The church is the beautiful Church of St Cyprian.
Church of St Cyprian
This church, (see https://londontraveller.org/2022/11/08/romanesque-churches-inside-zamora/) one of the many Romanesque churches in Zamora, stands next to the Parador and is very beautiful – simple and atmospheric. (I apologise for the clumsy link but the icon is somehow missing from WordPress…)
Zamora at night
From the Parador it was just a five-minute stroll to the Plaza Mayor which was always crowded! The church is San Juan de Puerta Nueva.
The Parador in Zamora gave us several days of relaxation and comfort. I was still somewhat incapacitated but the hotel is in the town and so we could easily see as much as we were able to access.
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