Zamora
IFEZA, Zamora (Spain)
FITECU 2023 was held in a distinctive rural setting, in the village of Villardeciervos (Zamora). The event took place in a venue that made use of the municipality’s multi-purpose pavilion, complemented by additional facilities specifically installed for the occasion.
FITECU 2025 marked a significant step forward by moving to the city of Zamora, where it was held at the IFEZA Exhibition Centre, which offers nearly 8,000 square metres of exhibition space and the capacity to host large-scale events.
Zamora, which has become the permanent host city of FITECU, is a benchmark for the Silver Economy. It is the oldest province in Spain, with an average age of 51 years and more than 32% of its population aged over 65. It is located in the northwest of the Castilla y León region and is strategically connected to both Madrid and Portugal.
The province is recognised as a leading hub for innovation in care and has been chosen as the permanent venue for FITECU due to its unique ability to transform the challenge of population ageing into a tangible opportunity for economic development. Zamora has established itself as a real-life laboratory for testing and piloting innovative products and services through its technology centres, universities, and unique facilities such as the La Aldehuela Technology Innovation Hub and its Living Lab. The area hosts major regional and European pilot initiatives focused on network-based care, promoting independent living and enabling older people to remain in their own communities, within the framework of the New Care Model promoted by the regional government in collaboration with social and technology organisations.
The city of Zamora boasts a remarkable historic centre, designated as a Historic-Artistic Site since 1973. Elongated in shape and largely surrounded by medieval walls, the city stands on a broad rocky plateau overlooking the Duero River.
Its outstanding collection of Romanesque buildings includes 23 churches, making Zamora the European city with the greatest number and highest quality of Romanesque churches. It is currently a candidate for recognition as European Heritage.
In addition to the cathedral, this Romanesque heritage includes twenty-four churches, a castle, city walls, a bridge, two palaces, and nine manor houses, which is why Zamora is widely known as the “City of Romanesque Architecture.” The city is also home to nineteen Modernist buildings and forms part of the European Route of Modernism.
Zamora hosts several regional and international institutions, including the Ethnographic Museum of Castilla y León, the Consultative Council of Castilla y León, and the Spanish-Portuguese cooperation organisation Fundación Rei Afonso Henriques (FRAH).
It was the first city in the world to achieve full Wi-Fi coverage. The initiative, known as “Zamora Hot City,” received the Computerworld Honors, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Computing.” The province is also home to outstanding protected natural areas, including Lake Sanabria and the Segundera and Porto Mountain Ranges, Arribes del Duero, and the Villafáfila Lagoons, as well as a rich traditional gastronomy and exceptional wine tourism opportunities.
Travelling to FITECU
There are two available means to reach Zamora from Madrid by public transport: train/AVE or bus.
The train —particularly the national speed train, or AVE— is the preferred option.
An AVE trip Madrid-Zamora takes 1h. There is a wide offer of trips between 6:20 a.m. and 8:35 p.m. (link to RENFE website)
Accommodation
- We will propose the best accommodation options soon.
Board expenses: All board expenses are included in your registration fee. Please, remember to include any special dietary requirement in your registration form