Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Zuzones
Zuzones is a hamlet, along with Linares de la Vid and Guma, in the municipality of La Vid y Barrios in Burgos. It is named after the zuzón, a type of herbaceous plant that is abundant in the area. The local population is expected to decline to approximately one hundred by 2021. This is a result of the depopulation that is affecting most Castilian towns. Nevertheless, it is the largest population centre in the municipality, which has historically meant that administrative activity has been concentrated in Zuzones, where the town hall is located. It has been confirmed that there was an important Roman presence near Zuzones, as bricks have been found in the vicinity of the La Fernosa spring in association with funerary remains.
As a village in the Ribera de Duero region, it is unsurprising that the economic activity that sustains Zuzones is viticulture, along with other agricultural uses typical of the Castilian region, such as the cultivation of dry cereal crops. Indeed, there are several underground cellars situated in the vicinity of the village. One notable example is an old wine press dating from 1850, which has recently been restored by the cultural association La Fernosa. This can be visited on the last Saturday of every month by prior booking. The building, which was used for crushing up to 25,000 kg of grapes in each pressing, ceased to function in 1981. However, it has since been designated an asset of cultural interest and is now used as an oenological museum.
In addition to wine cellars, Zuzones also boasts a church dating from between the 16th and 18th centuries, situated on a promontory near the Duero river, conveniently located just off the village exit on the road to Aranda. The church is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, the patron saint of Zuzones. The church is inscribed with a plaque commemorating three religious figures from Zuzones who were beatified by the Vatican as martyrs of the Spanish Civil War. Juan Alcalde, José Gutiérrez Arranz and Gerardo Gil Lea were killed in 1936 during the repression of the Popular Army against the clergy.
Every 11 November, the residents of Zuzones commemorate their patron saint, San Martín de Tours, with a series of cultural events designed for all audiences. These include a traditional mass and a verbena (open-air street party) held in the late hours of the day. San Antonio de Padua is held in high regard among the Jitos (the locals of Zuzones), with a mass held every 13 June in honour of the saint. Finally, it is worth noting that Zúzones is the last Spanish populace when ordered in alphabetical order.