One of the oldest settlements in the province of Zamora, its roots date back to around the year 509, when it appears in a record from the Council of Lugo.

[2] Towards the end of May, La Carrera left a small detachment of 200 men at Sanabria and marched up to Santiago de Compostela to form the core of the Division of the Minho, the newly raised insurrectionary army that Morillo and Garcia del Barrio had been training and, at the Combat at Campo de Estrella on 22 May, would defeat Maucune's four battalions and a regiment of chasseurs.

But instead of continuing his advance, Serras turned back, leaving some 400[3]–600[4] troops (a battalion of the 2nd Swiss Regiment and a squadron of horse) at Sanabria, and withdrew to Zamora.

The French troops finally surrendered some six days later, about 20 officers and 350 men, all that remained of the original force, being taken prisoners.

Serras, on learning of the attack, hurried back but found Puebla de Sanabria empty, for the allies forces had made off with their prisoners and taken to the mountains.