Románico Zamora

Church of Santo Tomé

12th century

It features Pre-Romanesque influences, because it is one of the oldest buildings in the city with monastic origin. Although it suffered deep renovations, have been preserved outstanding Romanesque pieces such as the triple head-part apse, a part of the northern wall and the northern doorway.

It is known that it belonged to an ancient monastery of royal foundation, and later, in 1135, it was donated by Alfonso VII, called The Emperor. Probably, from that date it was the Diocese See during the construction of the Cathedral.

It must have been put up all at once, remaining from this period only the Romanesque head part, which must have been re-done, and the bottom part of the walls. The rest of the temple belongs to successive enlargements at modern times. Originally it is believed that it had a basilica floor plan with a nave and two aisles, although after its reconstruction a single rectangular-plan nave with gable roof was made. The head part consists of three rectangular apses; the central one is much larger, and is almost square. The triumphal arches have a horseshoe shape, as well as the vaults, which are slightly ultra-semicircular.

At the center of the nave, there is a window whose capitals have a rough sculpture reminiscent of Pre-Romanesque shapes with two archivolts. In the southern wall can still be appreciated the old doorway with a slightly pointed arch and remains of paintings. Capitals are decorated with plants and figures where the Epiphany issue highlights. The center of the composition is the Virgin and the Child Jesus flanked on each side by the Three Kings from the East and two stars.

Outside, can be seen three rectangular apses. Two columns divide the central apse into sections. These columns turn into pilasters reaching the top part, and horizontally, two checkered impost lines divide them into three sections. In the center there is a window whose capitals have a purely Romanesque style.

The northern doorway, the one that is original, consists of a foliated opening around. It has several archivolts decorated with Cordoba rolls, diamond points which end in balls, scrolls and checkered. The southern doorway is very similar to the previous one, and the western doorway was opened up during the belfry construction in the 19th century.

This temple was declared a National Monument on 3rd of June, 1931.

ADDRESS

It is located in Santo Tomé Square

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 5th  March until 30th September:
From Tuesday until Sunday: from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00.
Closed on Monday.

From 1st  October until 6th January:
Friday and Saturday: from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:30 to 18:30.
Sunday: from 10:00 to 14:00.

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