Fermoselle, the taste of wine on the banks of Douro River in Zamora

05 February 2010

As Unamuno said, its houses "seem scattered about the rocks". In Fermoselle, there are about a thousand subterranean cellars. The town is inside the Natural Park of Douro Arribe.

The Zamora town of Fermoselle is known for its typical features and for the breathtaking views of the Douro River and its entire riverbed. But it is not water that runs through its veins, but the wine from its more than a thousand subterranean cellars, communicated with each other. From Fermoselle the border with Portugal can be clearly distinguished, although the population sinks its roots, without hesitation, into the unique landscape of the Sayago region. This part of Zamora is one of those territories where it seems that time has passed by, preserving traditional life and landscapes. Being literally inside the Natural Park of Douro Arribes has contributed to the rediscovery of the area and its attractions in recent years. It is a place that invites you to walk without haste and to discover that life has to be savored sip by sip. Medieval architecture and subterranean cellars. The great writer and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno said about Fermoselle: "It is a small town whose houses seem scattered in rocky hills, to which they cling not to fall". And, indeed, its white granite streets climb with difficulty on the unevenness in which they settle. Many houses take advantage of the base of rock to use it as foundations, being arranged very close together and forming narrow passages, as in La Nogal street, in which there are also plenty of cellars. The set was surrounded by walls in medieval times, but today there is only one door left, which is called El Arco. Once inside the village there are interesting things to visit such as the Romanesque church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which houses an articulated Christ from the 17th century, and the 12th century Romanesque church of Santa Colomba, in the upper part of the town. For all its values, Fermoselle has been declared a historical-artistic site. From Fermoselle, the passage of the river Tormes can be contemplated without problems, particularly if we climb to the viewpoint of Torojón or Torrejón. The landmark is located in the highest part of the town and is made up of several rocks, from where you can see the entire old town and the surrounding fields. After contemplating the place from above, it is time to get lost in its bowels. As Fermoselle grew on the rock, the cellars of the houses were carved in it. Today there are about a thousand subterranean cellars and the most characteristic ones are on Requejo Street.

Fermoselle, the taste of wine on the banks of Douro River in Zamora

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Charlotte, the Englishwoman of Fermoselle