Puntos de Interés
Culture
Chapel of San Amade
The Chapel of San Amade is situated near a cliff overlooking the Duero river. It is in the vicinity of the archaeological remains of an ancient Vetón fort, which was a Celtic village in this part of the Iberian Peninsula.
The names San Amede, Mamede and Mamed are examples of the various Portuguese and Galician forms of San Mamés. This area has historically been influenced by its neighbouring country, particularly during the Middle Ages, when the borders between this kingdom and Spain were established.
The chapel's origins can be traced back to the late Middle Ages, specifically to the 15th century. From that point onwards, the site continued to serve as a place of worship for the Galuchos, the inhabitants of Villardiegua de la Ribera, until 1860. At that time, the stone blocks were used to repair the neighbouring chapel of San Roque, although the reasons for this remain unknown.
It was not until the end of the 20th century that the Villardiegua Town Council initiated the process of restoring the chapel with the intention of conserving its ruins.
The chapel's remains are situated on a hill of rocky outcrops and crags, alternating with pastureland. It is located on an elevation overlooking the Duero riverbed in Zamora, known as Peña Redonda. This name is derived from the granite boulder that towers over the landscape and which is said to have been sacred to pre-Roman cultures.
It is known that the stones used in the construction of the Chapel of San Amade were taken directly from the Castro de Peña Redonda, where only the masonry foundations supporting the rows of granite ashlars remain. The Casa del Ermitaño or Casa del Santero, situated opposite the remains of the chapel on the other side of the road, is a rectangular building of a similar scale to the church. Additionally, the structure is constructed with masonry and has recently undergone restoration, including the construction of a new section of wall, with the intention of housing a theme centre on the Arribes del Duero Natural Park. The park is not fulfilling its intended purpose and is in a state of abandonment.