Zamayón – Johannite History and Rural Landscapes

Preserved remains of a Roman road provide Zamayón with a tangible historical starting point; history, landscapes and festival culture open up further perspectives. A holiday apartment in Zamayón can be considered for personal planning based on travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions; these details stand alongside the town’s historical, landscape and festival-related themes.

For travel planning, these focal points can deliberately be considered side by side: Historical evidence and festival traditions form a cultural framework, while landscapes, livestock and woodland represent different aspects of nature. Farm visits, hikes and cycling trips are mentioned as separate activity areas. Those who organise their days by theme can consider cultural impressions, routes through the surrounding area and rural aspects separately, without combining them into a single expectation.

History and Culture

In 1136, King Alfonso VII of León transferred Zamayón to the Diocese of Salamanca. Later, Zamayón belonged to the commandery of the Order of St John, together with Casasola, La Izcalina, Juzbado and Valdelosa. In the 16th century, Zamayón was the official residence of the commander.

The Order of St John built the Palacio de la Encomienda as the political and administrative centre of the commandery; Zamayón was its capital. The Palacio de la Encomienda is a former 15th-century palace with a rectangular floor plan. Its façade features four distinctive Gothic coats of arms.

The condition of the Palacio de la Encomienda is extremely poor: Its interior has completely collapsed, and the façade is at risk of collapsing.

The celebrations in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua in Zamayón include a solemn mass, a procession through the town’s streets and traditional dances; a ham-carving demonstration followed by a tasting is also planned as part of the same programme.

The Casa Rural “Zamayón” is associated with farm visits, hikes and cycling trips. Culture, festivals and active pursuits can be given different weights in personal planning; the themes can be combined or deliberately considered separately.

Nature

Zamayón’s rural recreational offerings include its landscapes and livestock. The Zamayón cork oak has an exceptionally large crown, which has provided shade for the livestock in the surrounding area.

The area around Zamayón contains mixed woodland of holm oaks, cork oaks, oaks and rockroses. A single distinctive tree and the surrounding woodland each create different landscape accents.

Those wishing to find the cork oak should ask for the Ermita de San Miguel and then continue straight along the land-consolidation road.

Getting There

From the capital, Zamayón can be reached via the N-630 national road; at Calzada de Valdunciel, turn off and continue via Forfoleda, Torresmenudas and Aldearrodrigo.

Other places: Pelabravo, Endrinal, Topas, Buenavista, Parada De Arriba, Pereña De La Ribera, Fuentes De Béjar, Forfoleda

For the higher-level travel overview: Salamanca.