Románico Zamora

Church of Santa María Magdalena

12th century

According to various studies, this temple is related to the Hospitallers and Templars Orders and it also belonged to the “San Juan” (St. John) Order.

Its main characteristic is showing elegance and pure lines in ways that contribute to an incredible perfection. It is considered one of the most elegant buildings of the city and its construction is attributed to the architect Giral Fruchel, who is known for works such as the Cathedral of Avila. The construction took a long time. It began in the twelfth century and was incomplete in 1215.

This church was built in two stages:  during the first stage the whole nave was vaulted, and during the second one, after the vault collapsed, the top of the southern wall was rebuilt and hence there can be seen almost Gothic windows and the wooden ceilings of the nave. It is a temple which has a single nave and a tower at its foot. It has a semicircular head where is located the main chapel.

Its outside head part stands out for the sections demarcated by columns, windows and imposts and for their two wonderful doorways. The southern doorway is the most important. It has pointed archivolts, all richly decorated with plant motifs that represent The Paradise. Other doorways are more austere. In terms of decoration, northern and western doorways have vegetable motifs, but the southern one is the most striking. It has a varied iconography.

Its interior, as the whole temple, is known for its elegance and meaning related to the Ascension. There are neither altar nor altarpieces. About the elevation, there is a first section with 12th-century canopies or tabernacles and the second section has columns that end in corbels. Most of the ceilings are made of wood, except for the head part, in whose vault can be seen reinforcing ribs.

There is an outstanding Romanesque tomb of an unknown lady. It is thought that she was Queen Urraca of Portugal, the first wife of Ferdinand II, whose recumbent figure appears embedded in the wall with two angels carrying her soul to paradise. This is the most important part of this church. There are also two tabernacles embedded in the front corners of the nave, which are covered with a barrel vault. 

Since 1910 it has the highest monumental rating and its preservation is excellent.

Interior de la Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena

Su interior, como todo el templo, destaca por su elegancia y sentido ascensional. Destaca un sepulcro románico de una dama desconocida que se atribuye a la reina Doña Urraca de Portugal, primera mujer de Fernando II, cuya figura yacente aparece empotrada en el muro con dos ángeles que llevan su alma al paraíso, todo un símbolo del edificio y dos tabernáculos incrustados en los ángulos delanteros de la nave y cubiertos con bóveda de cañón.

En el interior es llamativa la falta de retablos. En el alzado, se encuentra un primer cuerpo con baldaquinos o tabernáculos del siglo XII y un segundo cuerpo con columnas y remate de canecillos. La mayor parte de la cubierta es de madera, a excepción de la cabecera, en cuya bóveda se encuentran nervios de refuerzo.

Destaca su cabecera seccionada exteriormente por columnas, ventanales e impostas y por sus dos magníficas portadas.

Portada Meridional

La portada meridional tiene una decoración vegetal que representan el paraíso celestial. Las demás portadas son más austeras. La parte septentrional fue modificada a lo largo de los siglos. En cuanto a la decoración, la de las puertas norte y oeste es vegetal. La puerta del sur es la más llamativa con una variada iconografía.

Como curiosidad se dice que la iglesia de Maria Magdalena tiene la leyenda popular en la que si no ves al obispo labrado en su puerta meridional no te casas.

Cuenta desde el año 1910 con la máxima calificación monumental y su conservación es inmejorable.

ADDRESS

It is located between the street called “Rúa de los Francos” and Sor Dositea Andrés street.

To view the entire route from your position to the monument, you can click on the Google icon located on the lower left corner of the map.

OPENING HOURS AND VISITS

From 1st October until 1st March:
Monday and from Wednesday until Sunday: from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 18:30.
Closed on Tuesday.

From 1st March until 30th September:
Monday and from Wednesday until Sunday: from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.
Closed on Tuesday.

GENERAL INTEREST SERVICES

Tourist offices: 

- Local tourist office: It is located at 5, Arias Gonzalo Square. Tel. +34 980 533 694

- Castilla y León tourist office: It is located at 1, Príncipe de Asturias Avenue. Tel. +34 980 531 845

- Provincial tourist office: It is located at Viriato Square. Tel. +34 980 534 047

Local police: Tel. +34 980 531 245

Civil Guard (police with responsibilities outside towns): Tel. +34 980 521 100

Emergency telephone numbers: 112

- Virgen de la Concha (Hospital): Tel. +34 980 548 212

Bus station: Tel. +34 980 521 281

Train station: Tel. +34 980 521 110

Taxi: Tel. +34 630 630 630 

Civil defence: Tel. +34 980 536 190