Carbellino can be discovered in two very different ways: through the Carnival tradition of La Vaca Bayona and along paths through the landscape around the Embalse de la Almendra reservoir. If you are planning a trip around the masquerade, bear in mind that its date changes each year. Building and craft traditions, as well as archaeological traces, offer another perspective on the town. Two circular walks also provide specific distances and different destinations.
La Vaca Bayona and the history of Carbellino
The La Vaca Bayona masquerade takes place on the Saturday afternoon of Carnival. During the procession, the Vaca chases children and adults who pull its tail, while the Gañán tries to guide it. The exact date varies with Carnival. So if you would like to make the tradition the occasion for a trip, check the date for the year in question.
Other traces of the town’s history can be found in its crafts, architecture and archaeological remains. The Gothic Cruz de los Borbujos cross was erected in the 15th century; it was believed to have healing powers against smallpox. Pottery was one of Carbellino’s best-known trades for decades, but had almost completely disappeared by the end of the 20th century. Traditional houses are built of stone or adobe and have large wooden gates. At the El Castillo site are the remains of an ancient Vetton settlement, or castro. History here is reflected not only in a festival, but also in inherited beliefs, past occupations and the described traces of buildings and settlements.
Two circular walks, two destinations
The Ruta al Embalse de la Almendra is a 5.7-kilometre circular walk from Carbellino to the Embalse de la Almendra reservoir. The CL ZA SA Carbellino al Arroyo del Campo, also described as a circular walk, covers 6.3 kilometres. It leads to the Arroyo del Campo and also passes the granite hollows known as Las Ollas. This gives you a choice between a route whose destination is the reservoir and a slightly longer loop with the Arroyo del Campo and Las Ollas as landmarks.
The difference in length is 0.6 kilometres, and the destinations also differ. Check local trail conditions before choosing a route.
Reservoir, granite and nature
The Embalse de Almendra is one of Carbellino’s natural attractions. Plaza de la Reina offers another distinctive feature: its granite rock is considered a nesting site for birds of prey and has occasionally been used by climbers. Describing it as a nesting site connects the rock formation with the local birdlife; climbing is understood to have been an occasional past use.
The area by the Embalse de la Almendra is described as a beach and associated with swimming, fishing and water sports such as canoeing and windsurfing. Local water conditions and safety rules may vary; check them before visiting. The reservoir landscape, the two circular walks and the water sports mentioned can therefore be considered as different aspects of trip planning, without combining them into a fixed itinerary.
Plan your journey
The list of stops for the Salce–Almeida–Zamora bus route includes Carbellino. The information may be out of date, so check the connection before travelling. It is also a good idea to check local trail conditions in advance before going on a walk. This lets you plan your journey and choice of route separately, without assuming a particular connection or a fixed day’s itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Santa Cruz De Los Cuérragos, Malillos, Lubián, Fornillos De Fermoselle, Fuente Encalada, Villadepera, Villamor De Los Escuderos, Congosta.
For the regional travel overview: Zamora.
