Rábano de Sanabria
Rábano de Sanabria is a picturesque village in the municipality of San Justo, in the Sanabria region, Zamora province. Located at an average altitude of 1100 meters, this village is close to the Sanabria Lake Natural Park, home to the largest glacial lake in the Iberian Peninsula.
History #
Celtic Origins #
Rábano de Sanabria has a rich history dating back to the Celtic era, evidenced by the presence of hillforts like Monte de la Alcobilla and Peña Castriello. The region, influenced by the castre culture of northwestern Spain, was possibly inhabited by the Zoelas.
Middle Ages #
During the 6th century, the area of Zamora was located between the Suevian and Visigothic kingdoms. After the Reconquista, Rábano was integrated into the Kingdom of León, being repopulated by Christians fleeing Muslim rule. The first written reference to Rábano appears in 1073 in the Tumbo of the Monastery of San Martín de Castañeda, with mentions of land donations to the monastery.
Modern Age #
In the 14th and 15th centuries, Rábano and other villages in Sanabria changed hands between the Losada and Pimentel families. In 1833, with the creation of the current provinces, Rábano became part of the province of Zamora. Around 1850, the municipality of Rábano was integrated into that of San Justo.
Festivals and Traditions #
- San Pedro (June 30): Celebration of the patron saint of the town, with mass, procession and community lunch.
- Feast of the Rosary (third weekend of August): Neighborhood gathering in the chestnut forest of the Purpulleiras.
- Pilgrimage to Alcobilla (September 8): Large pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Alcobilla, where devotees from Rábano de Sanabria and neighboring towns gather.
Heritage #
Church of Saint Peter the Apostle #
The Church of San Pedro Apóstol is a three-nave building with a square apse and a bell tower. The remains of a Romanesque doorway, known as the Santa Catalina gate, stand out, with an archivolt decorated with balls and corbels shaped like anthropomorphic heads.