Muelas del Pan

Natural beauty abounds here, the hillsides are of cork oak, Holm oak, oak and cherry orchards; the steep rocky banks of the Esla River, which runs through the town and its farmland and grazing pastures, add to its charm too.

In the mountains there are significant numbers of foxes, roe deer, wild boar and even wolves. We also find eagles and black and white storks throughout the province, even if the latter are more difficult to spot.

Muelas de Pan is just 22 kilometers from the city of Zamora, with its 23 temples in the borough and 14 churches in the historic centre, it is the European city with the largest number of Romanesque churches in Europe, small wonder it is called Pearl of the Romanesque in the art world.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO?

As for open spaces, the Special Reserve for Birds in Canyons del Duero and the Sierra de la Culebra Regional Reserve are especially noteworthy. Walkers can follow the clearly marked paths through this unique natural environment, one of the best is perhaps that which leads to Sofreral, the most northerly cork oak forest in the country.

Local and vernacular architecture are worth seeing too, the chapel of St. Stephen, the Ricobayo reservoir… The town has El Alcornocal visitor centre and the Pottery and Archaeology Museum, with a wealth of artefacts from down the centuries.

Ricobayo de Alba Beach. Photo: Muelas del Pan Town Hall