Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Azogue

The Church of Nuestra Señora del Azogue, also known as Santa María del Azogue, is a parish church in Puebla de Sanabria, in the province of Zamora, located in the upper part of the town, next to the castle and the Plaza Mayor. It is one of the most prominent heritage landmarks of the historic center, for its urban and religious role within the monumental ensemble of the town. Its origin dates back to the second half of the twelfth century, with a Romanesque main building, although the building shows later reforms that incorporate Gothic elements and other transformations of modern times. The church preserves part of the walls of the nave and two Romanesque doorways, and has also been described as a mixture of styles resulting from successive interventions. Among its documented architectural elements are the Latin cross plan, the polygonal chevet reinforced with buttresses, the transept with ribbed vaults and a corner tower. The construction is of granite masonry and slate gabled roof, common features in the historical architecture of Sanabria. The temple was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest with the category of Monument in 2022, recognizing its historical, artistic and urban value. Its integration into the town of Puebla de Sanabria, declared a Historic Site, reinforces its importance as a key piece of the religious and monumental heritage of the municipality.