Santo Tomé de Zabarcos

A tiny village on the plains of La Moraña

Santo Tomé de Zabarcos sits in the middle of the Moraña plain, in the province of Ávila. The land here barely rises or dips. It stretches out in open fields and long horizons, with a small cluster of houses that is home to around 70 people. At roughly 960 metres above sea level, the climate sets the pace of life: cold winters, dry summers and steady winds that pick up on clear afternoons.

La Moraña has been organised around cereal farming for centuries, and that pattern is still easy to read today. Tractors move in and out of the village depending on the season, and the old threshing floors remain part of the landscape. There is no grand central square or imposing architecture. This is an agricultural settlement that has grown slowly and without much change.

The church and the houses

The parish church stands at the most visible point in the village. It is not especially large, yet its tower can be seen from a distance when approaching along the local roads. The building appears to be the result of successive alterations, something common in villages across this part of Spain, where churches were adapted over time according to the resources available in each period.

The houses cluster around it. Many combine stone, adobe and brick, materials chosen for practicality rather than appearance. Thick walls help regulate temperature, while wide gates once allowed carts and tools to be brought inside. Interior courtyards played an important role in daily life, acting as working spaces as much as domestic ones. These are buildings designed to withstand the climate and support agricultural work.

Fields, tracks and open sky

The landscape around Santo Tomé de Zabarcos is defined by the flatness of La Moraña. Large cereal plots shift in colour as the year progresses. In spring, low green crops dominate. By summer, the wheat turns yellow and stands tall. After the harvest, the land becomes more muted, with brown tones and a sense of openness that feels even wider.

Several agricultural tracks and old livestock routes leave the village. They are simple paths, usually straight, where the sky takes up a large part of the view. In these plains, birds of prey such as kestrels and harriers are often seen flying over the fields. Great bustards tend to keep to quieter areas with less movement. It is best to stay on the paths and respect the cultivated land.

Part of a wider Moraña landscape

Santo Tomé de Zabarcos is often visited alongside other places in the comarca. La Moraña includes larger towns where historical heritage is more concentrated. Arévalo and Madrigal de las Altas Torres, for example, preserve Mudéjar churches and sections of old walls that help explain the history of this part of Ávila.

This village offers something different. It shows the other side of the territory: open countryside and small settlements that sustained an agricultural economy for centuries. Its scale and simplicity give context to the more prominent sites nearby.

Before you go

The village can be explored in a short time. Streets are quiet and traffic is minimal, which adds to the sense of stillness. For meals or shopping, people usually head to nearby towns with more services.

The main local celebrations take place around Santo Tomé in December, with religious events and gatherings among residents. In summer, especially in August, there are also community get-togethers organised by locals, often coinciding with the return of those who still keep family homes in the village.