The weekly market
Buying, selling, swapping
There is no question that Peñaranda's location, in a crossroads frequented by mule drivers and merchants going from Zamora and Salamanca to Ávila and Marid had a lot to do with its commercial spirit. Another undeniable influence was the passing of millions of livestock heads by the Royal Path, going from north to south, and which were mostly Merina sheep from Extremadura.
All these comings and goings, these meetings, encouraged the exchange of merchandise and news, that the village eventually became a perfect place for trading. And even more so when King Juan I, towards the end of the 14th century, granted it a license for a weekly market that is still thriving every Thursday in its squares.
As a feudal village, the monopoly of the market exploitation belongs to the local lords. Since they owned the weights and measures, they also received a good part of the benefits of the buying and selling taking place in the market.
The constant success of these activities, and the ever increasing need for space to shelter it and organise it, are the reasons why Peñaranda ended up growing around its three squares.