The extensive lands of Castile and León They hide pieces of history in the most unexpected corners. Beyond its best-known capitals, numerous towns face rural depopulation that, despite their size, are home to monuments as imposing as castles and fortressessilent witnesses of the passage of time.
In the discreet municipality of Villalonso, in the province of Zamora, the small town of the same name could go unnoticed by the traveler in a region full of attractive, more famous destinations. But whoever dares to come to this corner of the Toro region will be surprised to find the magnificent Villalonso Castlewhose effigy seems to watch over and protect the town.
With just about 15 km² of surface and less than 100 inhabitants Currently registered, the town has its origin in the repopulations carried out during the Middle Ages in the ancient Kingdom of León, receiving its own charters by King Alfonso VII of León in 1147, along with Benafarces.
The castle, a fortification of defensive character Located on the outskirts of the town on high ground, offering a panoramic view of it and the fields that surround it, which allowed control of the entire territory in the most turbulent times.
The Castle of Villalonso originally consisted of two enclosures and was protected by a moat, now blocked up, but of which vestiges can still be seen. Square in plan with cubes in the corners, the construction highlights the great Tower of Homenagealso square, the notable battlements and the continuous machicolation that decorates one of the sides.
The medieval character of both the fortress and the town, as well as its location in the middle of the immensity of the Leonese countryside, attracted the attention of Hollywood when it was revealed as the perfect location for filming from the famous film ‘Robin y Marian‘ (Richard Lester, 1976), starring Sean Connery and Hepburn.
In the town, the Church of Santa María de Villalonsofrom the 16th century and adorned with a beautiful main altarpiece, as well as the hermitage of Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz, on the outskirts, which was originally a humiliation at the crossroads for travelers.
The Castle is one of the best preserved of its time throughout Castilla y León and one of the most outstanding medieval heritage works in the province, as it preserves its entire original plan and has reached us in good condition. With the recent restoration in 2011, it is a visit highly recommended for those passing through the area, being able to access the interior on designated dates that can be consulted on the website.
Robin Y Marian (+ BD) [Blu-ray]
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Photos | Nicolas Perez – PMRMaeyaert (Wikimedia Commons)
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2023-11-05 16:03:02
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