Benavente, Zamora

Benavente is a municipality in the north of the province of Zamora, in the autonomous community Castile and León of Spain. It has about 20,000 inhabitants.

Located north of the capital on an important communications hub, it was repopulated by King Ferdinand II of León, who also awarded it law-codes in 1167.

Main sights

• Parador de Turismo Fernando II, which occupies the Caracol Tower, a 16th century castle with wide segmental mirador and a Mudéjar coffered ceiling in the main section
• church of Santa María de Azogue, in Romanesque style, begun in 1180. It has a Latin cross plan, with a nave and two aisles, separated by cruciform pilasters, with five apses. The nave has Gothic cross vaults added in the 16th century. The interior is home of several Gothic sculptures, such as that of the "Annunciation" (13th century)
• San Juan del Mercado, in Romanesque style (12th-13th centuries). It has three decorated portals with the Adoration of the Magi, the Virgin and Child and scenes of the birth of Jesus.
• hospital of La Piedad, an old pilgrim hostel.
• Hermitage of Soledad (early 16th century)
• Caracol Tower

Climate

It is characterized as a Mediterranean climate with continental characteristics as with the altitude of the municipality and its distance to the sea. However, the amount of the winter frosts is lifted, taking place even in spring, with the consequential damage to some of the local agriculture.

Dukes of Benavente

Notable people

• José Carlos...... ...
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