Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Hinojosa de Duero
Hinojosa de Duero is a town and municipality situated in the distinctive region of the Arribes del Duero. Salamanca, situated on the border with Portugal, is a region of remarkable natural wealth, shaped by the convergence of several rivers, including the Huebra, Camaces, Ribera del Froya, and the Duero.
The municipality of Hinojosa de Duero is home to a rich cultural and historical heritage that can be traced back to prehistoric times. The cave paintings and the impressive Iberian forts of Cabeza de Montalvo and Malgarrida, which are designated as Sites of Cultural Interest, are tangible reminders of the region's rich historical heritage. Subsequently, the Romans also inhabited the area, leaving a tangible legacy in the form of constructed remains, exemplified by the Castro de la Cabeza de San Pedro, where inscriptions inscribed on stone slabs can still be seen. Hinojosa de Duero was a Templar town and that it had another earlier settlement of medieval origin, namely San Leonardo, situated near river Camaces.
An understanding of the history of this village is incomplete without reference to its border with Portugal. During the period of Portuguese independence, Hinojosa de Duero was subjected to a series of incursions, characterised by the destruction of property, the looting of goods and the imposition of other forms of tension. Subsequently, the area also served as a conduit for the illicit transportation of contraband across the Duero River. This historical fact is commemorated by the Mirador del Contrabando viewpoint. Furthermore, it should be noted that the municipality played a significant role in the construction of the Duero railway, which was a significant engineering project. The project has resulted in the construction of an impressive bridge that spans the Froya river and the old train station of Hinojosa de Duero. These structures form part of the cultural heritage of this railway.
Regarding the monuments in the town centre, it is important to highlight the Cristo de la Misericordia chapel, situated at the summit of the village, from which one can enjoy unparalleled vistas. The building is an ecclesiastical structure constructed from granite between the 12th and 13th centuries in a Romanesque style, which was subsequently transformed into Gothic architecture. The architectural details are striking, including the doorway with semicircular arches, the ornamental ensemble of the Romanesque part, the row of pointed arches that decorate and reinforce the roof inside, and the figure of the 13th-century Christ of Mercy carved in polychrome wood.
Furthermore, the municipality of Hinojosa de Duero is home to several other notable constructions, including the 16th-century church dedicated to San Pedro, which features intricate carvings and devotional figures. The municipality boasts a monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Corralito, and several vestiges of the local architectural heritage, such as legüeras stones, caños, huts, fountains, oil mills, pylons, chiviteros, corrals, and characteristic stone walls.
Its patron saint's festivities are dedicated to San Juan every 24 June. Furthermore, there are other traditional medieval celebrations, including El Feudal, the Matanza Típica de Hinojosa de Duero and the traditional Hoguera de los Quintos. Hinojosa de Duero is also the venue for the International Cheese Fair.