Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Peleagonzalo
Peleagonzalo is situated between Toro and the capital of Zamora, in a location that is sheltered by a hill crowned by Monte San Miguel and is only 1 km from the left bank of the river Duero.
This population centre and municipality is surrounded by the municipality of Toro, with which it has a long and close historical association. Indeed, since the Cortes of León in 1188, Peleagonzalo has been represented by the city of Toro, which is dependent on its archpriesthood.
As is the case with most of the villages in the region, this settlement was established because of the repopulation programme initiated during the Middle Ages by the Christian kings of Asturias and León, as part of the Christian conquest.
Furthermore, the name of the city may have derived from Pelayo Gonzalo or González, a leader of the repopulations, who may have been a champion of King Ordoño IV of León. The foundation of the city is estimated to have occurred between 958 and 960 AD.
The most significant historical occurrence in this region was the Battle of Toro, which occurred during the War of Succession. This battle saw the forces of Isabella the Catholic face off against those of Juana la Beltraneja. Although the outcome of this battle was uncertain, it was nevertheless a decisive factor in the eventual triumph of the Elizabethan side.
From then on, life in Peleagonzalo would go on without much hustle and bustle until, centuries later, in 1860, a flood of the then nearby Duero River inundated the town. In 1862, the village was entirely rebuilt at its present location on the hill of San Benito. This was done to avoid future flooding, as the land between the floodplain of the river had been incorporated into the village.
Peleagonzalo is situated on the slopes of the mountains and the fertile lowlands down to the river Duero, offering a contrast of landscapes. These include productive irrigated land, dry land and scrubland, which are cultivated by many of the local people. In the hills that shelter the village from the cold winter winds, the people of Pele store in their cellars the fruits of the grape harvests with the Toro Designation of Origin, a highly prized commodity in the whole area of Toresa.
On 29 September, the town celebrates the feast of San Miguel the Archangel. This date may be linked to the relationship between the leader of the Christian armies and the warlike root of the name Pelayo, which is derived from the Latin word pelagius. This ultimately led to conflict. On this day, the church of San Miguel Arcángel is decorated to celebrate the patron saint's festivities with the local population. Additionally, on 9 May, the residents of Pella commemorate Saint Gregory Nazianzen with a pilgrimage to the Fuente del Soto, where they pay homage to the Cappadocian philosopher.