Toro

Toro, (Zamora - Castilla y León) Spain

The town of Toro, in the province of Zamora, is known as a wine producing region located along the Duero River.  Its wine history goes long back; it is said that Christopher Columbus took Toro wine with him on his expedition in 1492 because of its ability to withstand the long journey, due to its structure and body.  The Collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor, dating to the 12th century, is found at the end of this street and is an example of traditional Romanesque architecture.

Frómista

Frómista, (Palencia - Castilla y León) Spain

This 11th century church, San Martín de Tours, found in Frómista along the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), is a wonderful example of Spanish Romanesque architecture.  More than 300 decorative figures (with animal, human, mythological and fantastic figures including some erotic scenes) run along the eaves of the church.

It is said that the province of Palencia in Castilla y León has the greatest concentration of Romanesque churches and shrines in Europe.  If you enjoy seeing this style of architecture (as I do), you really do have an endless number of possibilities of things to discover in this area!

Santo Domingo de Silos

Santo Domingo de Silos, (Burgos - Castilla y León) Spain

This Benedictine abbey, still inhabited with monks today, was built in the 11th century.  The cloister is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture and every capital's decoration is unique.

It was here where the monks did their Gregorian chants and became internationally famous in the mid 1990s with the recording of an album entitled "Chant", making it as high as #3 on the Billboard 200 music charts.