Benavente

Benavente, a Spanish town in the province of Zamova, near the river Esla. It is now of purely historical interest. Its ancient castle is a ruin. It was once famed for its numerous churches, one of which, San Juan del Mercado, belonged to the Knights Templars. It is associated with various events of the Peninsular war, among them being the commencement of Moore's retreat in 1809.