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Square · Zamora, Castile and León
Plaza Mayor de Zamora
Zamora's main square, with the Romanesque church of San Juan de Puerta Nueva, the old town hall, the statue of the Merlú and Modernist buildings on the surrounding streets.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Plaza Mayor de Zamora
Plaza Mayor is the center of life in Zamora. It is a rectangular square where the old and the new town halls are located and, on one side, the church of San Juan de Puerta Nueva, Romanesque, from the mid-12th century. The name recalls a gate of the old wall that once ran nearby.
Until the mid-20th century, the church of San Juan had houses built up against its walls. In the restoration of the 1950s those houses were removed, and the square acquired its current size. At one corner of the church stands the statue of the Merlú, a Holy Week figure who announces the processions by playing cornet and drum, made by the sculptor Antonio Pedrero.
On the streets that lead out from the square, such as Santa Clara, there are several modernist buildings from the early 20th century, with iron balconies and decorated facades. Zamora has one of the few modernist ensembles in the interior of Spain.
The square is the starting point for the old town: to the west, the rúa de los Francos leads to the churches of Magdalena and San Pedro y San Ildefonso and to the cathedral.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes for the square, the church of San Juan and the surrounding modernist streets.
Best time
Late morning or in the evening, when the square and the bars on the surrounding streets are busier. At Holy Week it is one of the points where the processions pass.
How to get there
It's in the center of Zamora, about 2 km from the train station and the bus station. From the cathedral it's about a 15-minute walk via rúa Mayor and rúa de los Francos.
Tip
Start your visit to Zamora at Plaza Mayor and head west to the cathedral and the castle. On the way back, go down Santa Clara street to see the modernist facades.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Plaza Mayor de Zamora
Who is the Merlú in the statue?
He is a figure from Zamora's Holy Week: the merlús announce the processions through the streets by playing cornet and drum. The statue stands on a corner of the church of San Juan.
Where are Zamora's modernist buildings?
Mainly on the streets that branch off Plaza Mayor, such as Santa Clara, with facades from the early 20th century.
Can the church of San Juan be visited?
Yes, when it is open. Hours vary with the season and celebrations: check beforehand.