Benavente, Zamora facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Benavente
Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Benavente.
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Castile and León
Province	Zamora
Comarca	Benavente y Los Valles
Area
• Total	45.12 km2 (17.42 sq mi)
Elevation	800 m (2,600 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	18,095
• Density	401.04/km2 (1,038.69/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Benaventanos
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Climate	Csb

Benavente is a town and municipality in the north of the province of Zamora, in the autonomous community of Castile and León in Spain. It has about 18,000 inhabitants.

This town is an important meeting point for roads. It was settled again by King Ferdinand II of León in 1167. He also gave it special laws. The town was first called Malgrat or Malgrado.

History

How Benavente Grew

After King Ferdinand II of León died, the town continued to grow. He had changed its name from Malgrat to Benavente. He also started a plan in 1164 to bring more people to live there. This was part of a bigger effort to take back land from the Moors.

Later, Kings Alfonso IX and Alfonso X helped Benavente even more. They gave it special rights and money. When Alfonso IX of León passed away, Benavente was where the kingdoms of León and Castile officially joined together. This was known as the Concordia of Benavente.

For a while, the town became less important. But in 1285, King Sancho IV helped it grow again. He attracted new settlers by offering them special benefits.

In 1352, Fadrique Alfonso, who was King Pedro I's brother, received the town. This happened so he would not attack King Pedro. In 1387, English and Portuguese soldiers tried to take Benavente. But the town's defenders fought them off and won.

Location

Benavente is in the northern part of the Province of Zamora, in the northwest of Spain. It is about 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Zamora City. It is also about 260 kilometers (160 miles) from Madrid. The town's coordinates are 42° 0' North and 5° 41' West.

Benavente is surrounded by several other towns. These include Villanueva de Azoague, Manganeses de la Polvorosa, and Santa Cristina de la Polvorosa. All these towns are in the Province of Zamora.

Transport

Roads and Highways

Benavente is connected to Spain's main road system. Many important roads and highways pass through or near it:

•  A-66  · The Ruta de la Plata Highway connects cities like Gijón, León, Benavente, Zamora, and Sevilla.
•  A-6  · The Northwest Highway links Madrid to Benavente, and then continues to Lugo and A Coruña.
•  Autovía A-52  · The Rías Bajas Highway goes from Benavente to Ourense and Vigo.
•  N-610  · This national road connects Palencia to Benavente.

Bus Services

Benavente has a bus station with services from different companies. You can travel to many cities in Spain and even to other countries.

National Lines

There are daily bus services to major Spanish cities. These include A Coruña, Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and many others.

International Lines

You can also take a bus from Benavente to countries like Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Holland, and France.

Regional and Local Lines

Buses also connect Benavente to nearby towns and villages within the region. There is even a free urban bus service for senior citizens within the town.

Taxi

Benavente has several taxi stands. One of them is located at the Bus Station, making it easy to find a taxi.

Plaza Mayor

The main square in Benavente is called the plaza mayor. This is where the Town hall building is located. It's a central spot for the town.

Tourism

Benavente has many interesting places to visit.

Parador

• The Parador de Turismo Fernando II is a special hotel. It is located in the Caracol Tower, which is part of a 16th-century castle. The tower has beautiful balconies and a unique Mudéjar style ceiling.

Churches

• The Church of Santa María de Azogue is a Romanesque style church. It was started in 1180. It has a cross shape inside with a main area and two side areas. The ceiling has Gothic style arches added in the 16th century. Inside, you can see old Gothic sculptures, like one from the 13th century showing the "Annunciation."
• The San Juan del Mercado Church is also in the Romanesque style. It was built between the 12th and 13th centuries. It has three decorated entrances with carvings showing scenes like the Adoration of the Magi and the birth of Jesus.

Hostel

• The Hospital of La Piedad is an old building that used to be a hostel for pilgrims.

Other Places to See

• The Hermitage of Soledad is a small chapel from the early 16th century.
• The Caracol Tower is a historic tower that is now part of the Parador hotel.

Events

Benavente has some exciting local celebrations:

• The Fiestas de la Veguilla is a local festival. It honors the Virgen de la Vega. It includes a traditional event called the torno al llamado.
• The Fiestas del toro enmaromado is another famous festival. It happens the day before Corpus Christi. During this event, young men run in front of a bull. The bull has a long rope tied to its horns, which is held by people.

Accommodation

If you visit Benavente, there are many places to stay. You can find hotels with different star ratings, from one to four stars. There are also many hostels and guesthouses available.

Climate

Benavente has a Mediterranean climate. This means it usually has hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. However, because the town is high up and far from the sea, it also has some features of a continental climate. This means there are more frosts in winter, and sometimes even in spring. These frosts can cause problems for local farms.

Twin Towns – Sister Cities

Benavente has special connections with other towns around the world. These are called twin towns or sister cities:

• Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, México.
• Vila Real, Portugal.

Dukes of Benavente

The title "Duke of Benavente" was given to important noble families in the past. These Dukes played a role in the history of the region.

Notable People

Many interesting people have come from Benavente:

• José Carlos Guerra, a painter.
• Maria Josefa Alfonso Pimentel Tellez Girón Borja y Centelles, a Duchess who supported famous artists like Goya and Boccherini.
• Fray Toribio de Benavente o Motolinía (1477–1569), a missionary who traveled to Mexico.
• Alonso Briceño, one of the thirteen conquistadors who joined Francisco Pizarro.
• Luis de Carvajal the Younger, a writer.
• Pita Pizarro (1792–1845), who was a minister for Queen Isabella II of Spain.
• Francisco de Castro Pascual (1871–1949), a microbiologist (a scientist who studies tiny living things).
• José Nuñez Pernía (1805–1879), a Marquis and the first president of a medical society.
• Pedro Nuñez Granés (1869–1944), an engineer.
• Celestino Alonso Rodríguez Valdespino (1828–1875), a chess player.
• Federico Silva Muñoz (1923–1997), a politician.
• Laura Iglesias Romero, a scientist who worked for the CSIC.
• Francisco José Ynduráin (1940–2008), a scientist.
• Almudena Fernández (born 1977), a model.

Language

The way people speak in Benavente is influenced by the Leonese language. This is a traditional language spoken in parts of Spain.

Cinemas and Theatres

Benavente has places for entertainment:

• The "Reina Sofía" Theatre.
• The "Multicines Benavente" Cinema.

Images for kids

• 

  The Town Hall in the Plaza Mayor.

• 

  Buildings around the Plaza Mayor.

• 

  More buildings in the Plaza Mayor.

• 

  A closer look at buildings in the main square.

• 

  The Town Hall building.

• 

  A compass rose, showing directions.

• 

  Portrait of Juan Alfonso de Pimentel y Herrera.

• 

  Juan Francisco Pimentel y Ponce de León, 7th Duke of Benavente, painted by Diego Velázquez.

• 

  The 12th Countess of Benavente, painted by Goya.

See also

In Spanish: Benavente (Zamora) para niños