Morales del Vino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morales del Vino, Spain
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 Morales del Vino
Location in Spain
Morales del Vino
Location in Europe
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Castile and León |
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| Province |  Zamora |
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| Municipality | Morales del Vino | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 23 km2 (9 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 2,907 | |
| • Density | 126.4/km2 (327/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Morales del Vino is a town in Spain. It's found in the province of Zamora, which is part of the Castile and León region. In 2018, about 2,907 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Morales del Vino?
Morales del Vino is close to the Duero River. It's about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of the city of Zamora. The town sits on a high, flat area called the Northern Plateau, about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level.
Other cities nearby include Salamanca, which is 56 km (35 miles) away. Valladolid is about 100 km (62 miles) from Morales del Vino. The country of Portugal is also not far, about 60 km (37 miles) away.
What is the landscape like?
The land around Morales del Vino is mostly flat. You won't see many hills here. The town is surrounded by farms that grow crops like cereals, legumes, and sunflowers. Near the river, farmers also grow maize and sugar beet.
There aren't many large forests. However, you can find some scattered trees in the fields. There are also forests along the Duero River. One special area is the 'Soto de Pontejos' poplar forests. Here, you might find wild asparagus plants growing under the trees.
What is the weather like?
Morales del Vino has a climate that is a mix of Mediterranean and Continental weather. This means it has cold winters and hot summers. Temperatures can drop to -12 °C (10 °F) in winter and reach 40 °C (104 °F) in summer.
Summers are usually long, dry, and sunny. Sometimes, thunderstorms can happen. Spring and autumn often bring more rain. Snow can fall in winter, but it's not very common. A frequent winter event is fog in the Duero valley. This fog can make days very cold, sometimes staying around 0 °C (32 °F) with no sunshine for over a week. Most of the time, though, Morales del Vino is a sunny place.
What does the name "Morales del Vino" mean?
The name "Morales del Vino" translates to 'Mulberry trees of the Wine'. This name makes sense because Morales is located in an area called Tierra del Vino, which means 'Wine Shire'. This region was once famous for making a lot of wine and had many vineyards.
Years ago, plant diseases almost destroyed the vineyards. But today, new farming methods have helped. The Tierra del Vino now has a special quality brand for its wine. This has led to more vineyards and wineries. They mostly make red wine from a grape called Tempranillo.
People and Life in Morales del Vino
The number of people living in Morales del Vino has grown quickly. This is because it's close to Zamora, the capital city of the province. Also, the N-630 Ruta de la Plata road makes it easy to travel. This road crosses western Spain. A new motorway, the A-66, is also making travel easier.
Because more people are moving here, many new buildings have appeared. There are also new businesses and services in the town. Some new homes are apartments, but many are cottages or single houses. These often have their own swimming pools and gardens.
In the town center, you can find shops and supermarkets. There are also banks, a petrol station, and a chemist shop. You'll see several bars, places to buy newspapers and lottery tickets, fast food, and nice restaurants.
How do people make a living?
In the past, farming was the main way people made money in Morales del Vino. They raised cattle, sheep, and pigs, and grew crops. Today, many people from Zamora live here because it's a quieter place. Property is also less expensive, and the town has many conveniences.
Many people now work in bars, factories, offices, and other services. Even with these changes, the area around the village still has a beautiful rural landscape.
Local Food and Products
Northwest Spain is known for its delicious food. Morales del Vino is part of a region famous for certain quality foods. These include Zamorano Cheese, Zamorano Chorizo (a type of sausage), and Tierra del Vino Wine.
Cheese and wine are the most famous products from this area. Morales del Vino has two high-quality cheese factories. You can even visit them! These factories make cheese from local sheep and cow milk. Visitors should definitely try these local products. They are an important part of the daily food for many moralinos, which is what people from Morales are called. Pulses (like beans and lentils) and vegetables are also very important in their diet.
History and Things to See
The town of Morales del Vino was founded in the Middle Ages. This happened after Christians took back the land from the Moors. The Moors lived here for several centuries, but no ruins of their culture are left today.
The town's church has art and building styles from the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The main part of the church and the north entrance are especially interesting. They have a unique style for this area. The church also has a wonderful baroque organ. It's rarely played during religious events, but it's amazing to hear.
El Cristo de Morales Festivity
There is a small church on the road to Zamora called El Cristo. Every year on May 9th, people from Morales, Zamora, and nearby areas celebrate a big festival. It's called El Cristo de Morales. This is a traditional romería, which is like a pilgrimage and party.
At this festival, you can try delicious sangría and some of the best local tapas. There are also fun attractions and bars in a yard near the church. The church holds a statue of Christ from the Middle Ages. Music is a big part of the festival. The weather is usually good, so young and old people celebrate all day in the yard. They drink sangria and eat tapas while others visit the church and attend workshops.
Old Houses and Caves
Morales has many old houses built close together. They usually have the main entrance on the street and a backyard. These backyards were often used to grow a small garden and keep animals like hens, pigs, or rabbits. An old-style house might also have stables for donkeys, mules, or horses. These animals were used for farming or as transport.
Today, some of these old houses have been restored. They are now considered luxury homes. Many of them also have a cave several meters underneath. In the past, wine was made and stored in these caves. The old part of Morales is full of these caves. Some have been beautifully restored and are now used as party rooms.
If you visit the Town Hall, you might be able to see its cave. The Town Hall used to be a large house. In the 1940s, it became the town school. It's made of sandstone, a typical material for old buildings. The Town Hall Cave is now only used for a few special celebrations.
How to get to Morales del Vino
There are several ways to reach Morales del Vino. The main way is by road, using the N-630 (at Km 285). There is also a train station nearby in Zamora. From there, you can take trains to Galicia, Madrid, and Valladolid.
The closest airports are in Valladolid, Salamanca, Bragança, and León. Madrid is also not too far, about 250 km (155 miles) away.
See also
In Spanish: Morales del Vino para niños
