Weekend Routes in Extremadura

.

WEEKEND ROUTESIN EXTREMADURA

JUNTA DE EXTREMADURAConsejería de Cultura y Turismo

Dirección General de Turismo

2 0 0 8

Society and its values inevitably change and, with them,the ways in which we engage in tourism. Our way oftravelling has particularly changed recently, becoming areflection of the interests of people nowadays and, above all,reflecting the way we understand relaxation and thecontemporary manner of enjoying our leisure time.

The main reason for travelling is usually to escape frommonotony and forget about work and everyday life.However, our desire to disconnect from everything doesn’tmean we want to waste our time. A worthwhile trip is onethat has some substance, that makes us face up to a genuinereality, that involves learning, development, thestimulation of the five senses, etc. After all, human beingshave always sought to feel alive and one of the mostinvigorating ways of achieving this is to experience thesensation of travel.

Extremadura is an ideal destination for those who, althoughthey don’t have enough time to travel far, still wish toexperience a new, surprising and stimulating reality.Extremadura is a unique area; a place that has balanceddevelopment with the conservation of natural spaces, thepreservation of local identities and traditions and theprotection of its historical heritage and folklore as a livinginheritance.

This is a land of contrasts. By making just short trips it ispossible to transform any route into a true journey throughhistory and mark every trip with different backdrops, withthe change from one landscape to another. From theleafiness of its mountain ranges and deciduous forests tothe vast horizons of its steppe areas, from Roman times tothe era of Muslim domination, from the extensive andomnipresent meadows to some of the largest wetland areasin Europe, from medieval historic districts trapped in time,to suggestive Renaissance and Mudejar surroundings.Every weekend in Extremadura is a choice in whichnothing is foregone. A safe bet that has its best guarantee inthe varied richness of its regions. A destination that makesa short break a true journey.

PRESENTATION

Croquis de la ciudad de Badajoz con la ubicacion de sus MuseosCroquis de la ciudad de Badajoz con la ubicacion de sus Museos

1

2

34

5

20

7

6

8

12

13

22

10

21

9

1514

19 17

16

18

11

Croquis de la ciudad de Badajoz con la ubicacion de sus MuseosCroquis de la ciudad de Badajoz con la ubicacion de sus Museos

Nº ROUTE PAGE

INDEX

1 The Gata Mountain Range 08

2 Between the Hurdes and the north of the Alagon 16

3 The Ambroz Valley 24

4 The Jerte Valley 30

5 To La Vera from Plasencia 36

6 To Guadalupe through the Villuercas 44

7 The Ibores 51

8 The Lakes and Mountains of La Siberia 56

9 Tierra de Barros 66

10 The Southern Mountain Range 76

11 From La Raya Northwards 84

12 La Serena 92

13 The Campiña Sur 100

14 To Merida through the Vegas Bajas del Guadiana 108

15 To Cornalvo through the Vegas Altas del Guadiana 116

16 From Plasencia to the Nacional Park of Monfragüe 124

17 To Trujillo from Montanchez 130

18 The Alagon Valley 140

19 Around Caceres 148

20 Campo Arañuelo 158

21 The Raya Sur to Badajoz 166

22 Tentudía 174

AROUND THE GATA MOUNTAIN RANGE

1 WEEKEND ROUTES IN EXTREMADURA

9

ITINERARYCilleros - Trevejo - Villamiel - San Martín

de Trevejo - Eljas -

Valverde del Fresno - Hoyos - Acebo -

Perales del Puerto -

Villasbuenas de Gata - Santibáñez el Alto

- Hernán Pérez -

Torrecilla de los Ángeles - Villanueva de

la Sierra - Torre de Don Miguel -

Gata - Cadalso - Descargamaría -

Robledillo de Gata.

INDICATIONSThe Sierra de Gata (Gatamountain range) is located in thenorth west of the region ofExtremadura, bordering in someparts with Portugal and theprovince of Salamanca, whichmakes it even more attractivehaving typical customs fromother regions in La Raya.This route will allow you to seemagnificent examples of popularmountain architecture, wherechestnut wood-framed buildingsare the most typical.Some of the most importanthistorical buildings aremediaeval, the castles andchurches are outstanding; of greatbeauty and historical importance.

TOURIST ROUTE

Our starting point, to go fromCoria or Moraleja, will beCilleros, village located at thefoot of the Gata mountain range,famous in the whole ofExtremadura for its wine andvineyards. Among otherbuildings, we can visit the parishchurch of Ntra. Sra. De losApóstoles, the Town Hall or theso-called Casa Grande.From Cilleros, on the rural roadEX – 205, we can see the Castleof the village of Trevejo, a largeArab fortress, around which thevillage grew. The village hasbeen declared of CulturalInterest and it displays anexample of beautiful popularmountain architecture.A few kilometres away is thevillage of Villamiel, which hasan interesting Palace of the Deanfrom the 17th century, the parishchurch of La Magdalena is 16thcentury and has some curiousinscriptions and popular sayingson its walls.The mountain countryside isadmirable on the way to SanMartín de Trevejo, village thathas preserved with pride a

Trevejo

Cilleros

Villamiel

San Martínde TrevejoEljas

Valverdedel Fresno

Hoyos

Acebo

Peralesdel Puerto

Villasbuenasde Gata

Santibáñezel Alto

Hernán Pérez

Torrecillade los Ángeles

Torre deDon Miguel

CadalsoGata

Descargamaría

Robledillo de Gata

EMBALSE DE BORBOLLÓN

MORALEJA

CIUDAD RODRIGO

Villanuevade la Sierra

EX-109

Around The Gata Mounta in Range

interesting buildings such as theCasa de los Frades (18th century),parish church of Nuestra Señorade la Asunción, built by thearchitect Pedro de Ibarra in the16th century, the hermitage ofCristo del Humilladero, and theMain Square with its picturesquearcade. From Valverde del Fresno, againon the Ex –205 rural road, wereach Hoyos, with importantnoble buildings; summerresidence of the bishops of Coria.Among its religious buildings isthe important parish church ofNuestra Señora del Buen Varón,built between the 15th and 16thcenturies.Before continuing to the east ofthe Sierra de Gata, we shall visitthe village of Acebo, withnumerous examples of populararchitecture and clearly Gothicand Renaissance influence in itsparish church of Nuestra Señorade Los Angeles.Further south on the road thatgoes from Moraleja to CiudadRodrigo, we will stop in thevillage of Perales del Puerto,located in the heart of thismountain range where the pinetrees and the oaks reign, it has

dialect called “mañegu” or “falade Xalama” also spoken in Eljasand Valverde del Fresno. In thecentre of the village there arebeautiful typical corners, and wecan highlight the Main Square(Plaza Mayor) with its beautifularches. The church of SanMartín de Tours, and the Palaceof the Comendador (KnightCommander), all of greathistorical and artistic interest.Continuing our route to the mostwestern part of the Gatamountain range, visiting thevillage of Eljas, with its 14thcentury castle reformed in latercenturies. In the village we canfind the church of La Asunción,built in the 15th -16th century.Very near Eljas is the bordervillage of Valverde del Fresno,just next to Portugal. Whichproudly preserves some very


10

Castle of Trevejo

Main Square of San Martín de Trevejo


11

interesting houses in the typicalmountain style of the region. Ofinterest is the parish church ofNuestra Señora de la Asunción(15th-16th century).Continuing on the Ex -203 alongthe eastern part of the Sierra deGata, we come to the village ofVillasbuenas de Gata with itslarge Main Square and thechurch of Nuestra Señora de laConsolación (16th century).Behind the church one can seesome beautiful Gothic pointedwindows and the famous andoriginal Casa de la MujerPanzuda.Santibañez el Alto can be seenfrom its fabulous viewpoint. Thetop of the village is crownedwith the Castle, of Arab originand which dates from the 9thcentury, which in the 12th wouldbe taken over by the Order ofAlcántara. The church of SanPedro, built between the 16thand 16th centuries. Thelandscape from these heights isunforgettable.Hernán Pérez, where interestingBronze Age Stella haveappeared, has two importantreligious buildings: the church ofSanta María Magdalena (16thcentury) and the 18th centuryhermitage of Santo Cristo de laPaz.Very near, next to Las Hurdes,are the villages of Torrecilla deLos Angeles and Villanueva dela Sierra.In Torrecilla de los Angeles, nearthe river Tralgas. Rough stone-built mountain constructions areabundant, and this is what theparish church of Nuestra Señorade la Asunción (16th century) isbuilt of, it has a beautifulMudéjar style ceiling in itschancel.

The village of Villanueva de laSierra almost at the easternlimits of the Gata mountainrange, is the doorway to theneighbouring region of LasHurdes, inside the village thechurch of Nuestra Señora de laAsunción (16th century) is ofinterest. As well as its altarpiecededicated to the Assumption ofthe Virgin.Going back a few kilometres onthe C –513 road to theintersection that will take us toTorre de Don Miguel, so we canvisit this typical mountainvillage with important 16th

View of Acebo

Main Square of Villasbuenas de Gata

the Reyes Católicos above thewater fountain Fuente delChorro. A nearby naturalswimming pool located in abeautiful site on the Rivera deGata, is the natural prologue toone of the most charmingcampsites in northernExtremadura.Returning to Torre de DonMiguel, we can continue to thevillage of Cadalso, surroundedby magnificent and exuberantvegetation, near the riverÁrrago.The village of Cadalso,temporary residence of KingAlfonso IX, a keen hunter,preserves an interestingstructure, highlighting the parishchurch of La Concepción, withits fortress aspect, built betweenthe 15th and 16th centuries ingranite, with the assistance ofthe architect Pedro de Ibarra. Wemust not forget the interestinghermitage of El Cristo.A few kilometres away, inmountain countryside, is thevillage of Descargamaría, on theriver Árrago. It has typicalstreets and alleys. Its church San

century buildings such as theCasa de la Encomienda, thebeautiful Renaissance hermitageof el Cristo and its interestingand impressive parish churchwith Gothic influence.Going west we will come toGata, with its excellentexamples of popular mountainand religious architecture suchas the parish church of SanPedro, with its excellentRaredos made by the sculptorPedro de Paz.From its attractive Main Squarewe can see the majestic Crest of


12

Parish church of Torre de Don Miguel

Chorro fountain in Gata


13

Juan El Hospitalario was builtin the 16th century. It also has ahermitage of the Santo Cordero,built between the 15th and 16thcenturies, with a Mudéjar stylewooden ceiling, and also thehermitage of the Humilladero(16th century).Robledillo de Gata is the lastvillage on this route, andperhaps the most attractive andpicturesque of the Sierra deGata, declared of CulturalInterest. It is surrounded by treesand vineyards and is crossed bystreams and fountains that endup in the river Árrago.The perfect preservation of itsbuildings, some of which arenow rural lodgings, withbeautiful wood frames,passages, bridges and tunnels, isone of its main attractions, beinga most beautiful collection ofbuildings. At the top of thevillage is the church of theAsunción (16th century), with awide circular portico. In this partof the village there are also some

curious and beautiful wallpaintings on some of the houses.In the outskirts of the villagethere is a quiet naturalswimming pool surrounded bybeautiful landscape.

La Concepción church in Cadalso

Descargamaría

parias” (sponge cake) from SanMartín de Trevejo, or the “cañas”from Villamiel, are famous in thewhole region. The oranges fromthe numerous fruit orchards arealso excellent. The home-madewine “vino de pitarra” isespecially good in Cilleros,Valverde del Fresno, San Martínde Trevejo, Descargamaría andRobledillo de Gata, withoutforgetting the liqueurs.

CRAFTSWrought iron work andgoldsmith work in Gata. Wickerwork in San Martín de Trevejoand Cadalso. Magnificentwoodcarving in Valverde delFresno, and lace in Acebo.

GASTRONOMYThis is an authentic paradise forwild mushrooms during a largepart of the autumn and winter.The Sierra de Gata region has alarge variety of wild mushroomsthat the good local cooks canturn into succulent dishes. Lamband above all kid are thepreferred meats traditionally forstews and other dishes such asgrilled meat. There are also goodcured sausages (embutidos) andhome made hams.The local olive oils are alsomagnificent, some of the best inExtremadura, like the cheeses.The home-made cakes such as the“roscas de huevo” (donuts) fromDescargamaría, “bizcochos de


14

Robledillo de Gata

Santibáñez el Alto from Borbollón


15

FEASTS

The ancient Carnivals, theEaster processions areinteresting as well as the Capazoin Torre de Don Miguel.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEThis is the reign of the oak andthe pine tree, which make theselands green for most of the year,especially in summer. Autumnbrings contrasts of reds andbrowns in the abundant forestswhere Boletus Edulis and othervarieties of wild mushroom arevery common. There are

numerous vegetable gardensand a great deal of birds, manyof them protected birds of preythat nest in the hills. Clean riversand natural swimming poolsmake up the beautiful landscapeand invite one to swim in thesummer in an area that has mildtemperatures for most of theyear.From the heights of themountains the landscape isunforgettable, one can even seethe neighbouring regions. This isalso an important refuge for theIberian lynx.

Wicker work


BETWEEN LAS HURDESAND THE NORTH OF ALAGÓN

17

ITINERARYOvejuela - Pinofranqueado - Sauceda -

Robledo - Muela - Avellanar - Castillo -

Horcajo - Erías - Aldehuela -

Caminomorisco - Casar de Palomero -

La Pesga - Rivera Oveja - Azabal -

Cambrón - Dehesilla - Huerta -

Mesegal - Cambroncino - Vegas de Coria

- Nuñomoral - Cerezal - Martilandrán -

Fragosa - El Gasco - Asegur -

Casares de las Hurdes - Casarrubia -

Huetre - Cabezo - Robledo - Carabusino -

El Rubiaco - Horcajada - La Batuequilla -

Riomalo de Arriba - Ladrillar -

Las Mestas - Riomalo de Abajo.

INDICATIONS

The Hurdes are located in thenorth west of Extremadura,bordering with regionsof Salamanca, Portugal andSierra de Gata, Ambroz Valley,and on the south withthe lands of the Alagón Valley.This route will take us throughvery beautiful mountains where

we will be surprised bymagnificent waterfalls andbeautiful meandering rivers. The popular buildings made ofslate are common in mostvillages, and there are abundant tinyvillages where the brown colourof the buildings contrasts withthe green of the surroundingpine trees and the incrediblecolour of the flora.

TOURIST ROUTEFrom Villanueva de la Sierra,southern gateway to the area ofHurdes, we can start our routeon the Ex –204 road, which goesfrom the town of Coria to theregion of Salamanca.Ex – 204 will take us to the mainvillages of Las Hurdes, wherewe can visit the nearby smallvillages right in the hills of thearea.The first village to visit will beOvejuela, a few kilometres awayfrom Villanueva de la Sierra,which you can reach on Ex – 204,

Pinofranqueado

Avellanar

Robledo

SaucedaOvejuela Muela

Castillo

HorcajoErías

Mesegal

Aldehuela

Casar de PalomeroRivera Oveja

La Pesga

Azabal

Cambrón

DehesillaHuerta Cambroncino

Vegas de Coria

NuñomoralCerezalMartilandrán

AsegurEl Gasco

Fragosa

Casares de las HurdesHuetreCabezo

Carabusino

Robl

edo

Rubiaco

Riomalode Arriba

Ladrillar

PLASENCIA

Pantano deGabriel y Galán

Las Mestas

Riomalode Abajo

Caminomorisco

EX-204EX-205

Between The Hurdes and the North of A lagón

Ángeles, to see its famous“Chorro” (spring), well knownin the area for being the birthplace of the river Ovejuela.Going back to Ex –204 to seePinofranqueado, one of the mainvillages in Hurdes andfrequently visited in spring andsummer due to its large naturalswimming pool on the river LosÁngeles, and with an excellentcamp site nearby, a showpiece ofnature and good restaurants.In the Plaza Mayor (MainSquare) of the village is theparish church of Nuestra Señorade Encina, modified in the 18th

century. The village feast of “LaEnramá” in August, has beendeclared of Regional TouristInterest.On the river Los Ángeles andvery near Ovejuela is the tinyvillage of Sauceda.In the beautiful valley of theriver Esparabán there is animportant collection of tiny andattractive villages: Robledo,Muela and Avellanar, with animportant and attractive naturalswimming pool.

near Pinofranqueado.Ovejuela is surrounded bybeautiful landscape, small riversand clear natural swimmingpools, abundant in oak trees,pine trees, chestnuts and ferns. Itwould be interesting to visit thebirth of the river Río de los


18

Lanscape of Huedes in Horcajo

Ovejuela on the mountainside


19

To the north of the region thereare three other quiet andbeautiful little villages: Castillo,which has picturesque woodenbalconies and overheadbridges/corridors connectingbuildings, just like Horcajo, orthe beautiful village of Erías,with a nostalgic entrance underan impressive typical archway.This was an ancient fortress inprehistoric times. If we continueup a little we can reach the lastof the villages: Aldehuela, wherethe road ends. Here one can seeone of the best displays ofpopular architecture of Hurdes.If we go back down to the Ex–204 road, we can reachCaminomorisco, importantvillage in the area, its populararchitecture, with an abundanceof wooden balconies andoverhanging eaves, is of the bestof Hurdes.The Chorreón del Tajo, streamwhere the river Alavea or Aceñais born, is very near and can bereached on a forest path throughpine trees. On this path, at theoutskirts of Caminomorisco, is a

magnificent natural swimmingpool.The typical wood frame andadobe and the slateconstructions of Las Hurdes aremagnificently displayed in thenearby village of Casar delPalomero, where in the pastthere lived together the threegreat cultures of the peninsula:Jews, Arabs and Christians, whostill have their typical quarters inthe village.There are two interesting parishchurches in Casar de Palomero,both from the 18th century:Espíritu Santo and InmaculadaConcepción. Near the village isthe river Los Ángelessurrounded by one of the largestextensions of olive groves inExtremadura that also reach thevillages of La Pesga and RiveraOveja, almost beside Ex –204,the reservoir of La Pesga is amagnificent place for fishing.There are interesting examples ofpopular architecture in thenearby tiny villages of Azabal,Cambrón, Dehesilla, Huerta andMesgal.

Church in Pinofranqueado, 18th century Las lastimas church in Cambroncino

natural swimming pools in thearea, on the river Hurdano.Eleven tiny villages dependadministratively on this one.Its parish church, near theoriginal town hall, is NuestraSeñora de la Asunción, made ofmasonry.From Nuñomoral we can gowest or north, so on the route ofLa Minacera, we can visit ElGasco and its impressivefountain, on the way we pass bythe rivers Hurdano andMalvedillo, where the small

An important village to visit,dependent on Caminomorisco, isCambroncino, with the mostimportant religious building inall of Las Hurdes: the church ofSanta Catalina, known as “LasLástimas” from the late 17th andearly 18th centuries, with anattractive classical entrance.The most important village inthe west of Las Hurdes isNuñomoral, which you canreach from Vegas de Coria, onthe Ex – 204 road, and where onecan find one of the largest


20

Arrozereal reservoir

La Fragosa

21

Typical beehives made of cork

village El Cerezal is located; tothe north west on passing LaSierpe gorge is Martilandrán,and on abrupt ground LaFragosa, with its houses situatedon the mountain side and theriver Malvedillo at its feet.Nearby is the religious centre ofCotolengo, real natural balconyof the area.From El Gasco, in half an hour,you can reach the famous chorrode la Minacera spring, thehighest in Las Hurdes. Back toNuñomoral and following thecourse of the river Hurdano, wecome to one of the mostbeautiful small villages of thearea, Asegur, with traditionalslate and rough stone buildingsbeside the river. Casarrubia,Huetre, Cabezo, Robledo andCarabusino, are the villages nearCasar de Hurdes on the road,which takes us there fromAsegur.Close by is the beautifulbirthplace of the river Hurdanoand the peaks of Rayado andBordoya.Other small villages roundNuñomoral are El Rubiaco,Horcajada and La Batuequilla.

Near Casar de Hurdes isRiomalo de Arriba, which stillpreserves most of its typicalhouses built with large sheets ofblack and grey slate. The same asLadrillar, which seems to meltinto the surroundingcountryside as one. The way thehouses are placed together givesa special aspect to its sinuousstreets.A few kilometres away, on theroad to Las Mestas, we will passby the Convent of Las Batuecas,surrounded by woodland and

Alagón River in Riomalo de Abajo


through the year, and theappreciation of their wildmushrooms (boletus andniscalos) is growing day by dayand is the base for succulentdishes.

CRAFTStone and volcanic rock lamps inAldehuela and El Gasco. Thefamous castanets of Fragosa,Casares de las Hurdes andCerezal, as well as the makingand carving of chairs.In Fragosa drums are made, andin Asegur pretty woodenrecorders. Without forgetting thepipes made of briar, the stonelamps and the straw hats fromPinofranqueado and Erías.Baskets in Casares de lasHurdes. And embroidery is alsopopular in all of the Hurdes.

FEASTSThe Feast of the Day of Hurdesis especially important, andabove all the “Fiesta de laEnramá” in Pinofranqueado,around the 23rd of August,

rivers with crystal clear waterand in a quiet and peacefulenvironment.Las Mestas is famous in thewhole of Spain for its honey andpollen. Located in incomparablybeautiful landscape, a fewkilometres off the Ex –204 road,which will take us to the lastvillage on the route: theenchanting and friendly littlevillage Riomalo de Abajo, on theborder with the region of Castillay León and with a very richcountryside. The beautifulmeanders of the Alagón riverand the crystalline waters of theLadrillar river, which flows intothe Alagón, whose reservoir isrich in fish.

GASTRONOMYThe meat products of the areaare famous: the cured sausages(“embutidos”) with theirpeculiar mountain taste –“chorizo” and “morcillas decalbaza” (blood sausage), as wellas the cured hams and “lomos”.The olive oil from Las Hurdes ishighly appreciated both insideand out of the region. The dishesof beans and stews with roastsare famous in Las Hurdes. Theroast kid is especially good inRiomalo de Abajo andCaminomorisco.Chestnuts and figs (“Jiguscurinus”) of the Hurdes are alsofamous. Home made cakes suchas the “perrunillas” (type ofbiscuit) of La Pesga, breaddonuts of Pinofranqueado andthe “flores”(flowers) and“tiroletes” in Cabezo. Don’tforget to buy some magnificentpollen and honey.There is also a production ofmagnificent goat cheeses all

22

Wood and stone craft


declared Feast of RegionalTourist Interest.

LANDSCAPE AND NATUREThe rivers in Hurdes have acommon denominator: thecleanness of the waterthroughout the year, the riverLos Ángeles and those whichflow into the Alagón such asHurdano, Ovejuela, Esparabán,Riomalo or Malvellido, of primeimportance for the villages ontheir banks. In the woodschestnut trees, oaks, olives, pinesand cherry trees, etc. areabundant.The mountains that surroundthis area are attractive both fortheir medium heights, which

invite the visitor to crown them,and for bird watching. There aresmall reservoirs that sprinkle thelandscape where water is moreneeded, such as the ones in LaPesga, Caminomorisco, Árrago,Atalaya, etc.Streams with crystal clear water,natural swimming pools,incredible waterfalls, and riverswith incomparable meanders, allwithin forests of pine and oaktrees.Multitudes of fruit trees flowerin spring, and they are gettingmore and more abundant in aregion where there are importantbee keeping installations, whichare famous in Extremadura.


23

Feast of “La Enramá” in Pinofranqueado

THE AMBROZ VALLEY


25

The Ambroz Va l ley

Oliva de Plasencia

Villar de PlasenciaCabezabellosa

Jarilla

Casas del Monte

La Granja

Granadilla

Zarza de Granadilla

Abadía

Segura de ToroGargantilla

Aldeanuevadel Camino Hervás

Baños de Montemayor

La Garganta

PLASENCIA

Guijo de Granadilla

Pantano deGabriel y Galán

EX-110

ITINERARYOliva de Plasencia - Villar de Plasencia

- Cabezabellosa - Jarilla - Casas del Monte - La Granja -

Granadilla - Zarza de Granadilla - Guijo de Granadilla - Abadía -Segura de Toro - Gargantilla -

Aldeanueva del Camino - Baños de Montemayor - La Garganta - Hervás

INDICATIONSThe Jerte Valley gets its namefrom the river that flows throughit, between the Tras SierraMountains and the Tormantossierra. This valley and all the areahas a pleasant temperature allyear round, which gives it a veryspecial climate for agriculture. Tothis excellent climate, we can addthe gastronomy, magnificentlandscape and good lodgings.The popular mountainarchitecture is some of the mostrepresentative in the north ofExtremadura, made of stone andwood-framed.

TOURIST ROUTEOur starting point will bePlasencia. Strategically located atthe beginning of the route alongthe valley of the river Ambroz,and from which we will accessthe nearby Oliva de Plasencia,just at the beginning of TrasSierra. Where we can visit the18th century Palace of the Condesde Oliva and the parish churchof San Blas, from the 16th centurywith its interesting 18th centuryBaroque altar-piece.A few kilometres away are thearchaeological remains of theArchway of Cáparra and sometraces of the Roman city ofCáparra, on the ancient Vía de laPlata (Silver road).Going back to the N-630 road,we can see at the foot of themountains Villar de Plasencia,which can be visited for itsinteresting religious buildings,the 16th century church of laAsunción with certain Gothictraces, and the hermitages of San

At the foot of the SistemaCentral Mountains is La Granja,on the river Ambroz, which hasan interesting parish church –Santa María Magdalena (16th

century) with a Baroquealtarpiece.On the other side of the road, onthe edge of the Gabriel y Galánreservoir is the village ofGranadilla, which wasabandoned and is currentlybeing rehabilitated byschoolchildren from all of Spain.Founded in the 9th century by theArabs, it has been declaredHistorical-Artistic Enclave, andits walls and Gothic tower -Torredel Homenaje- are outstanding.In Zarza de Granadilla, one ofthe main villages in this area, isthe church of San Ramón andthe hermitage del Cristo and afew kilometres away is thevillage of Guijo de Granadillawith an interesting and romanticmuseum dedicated to thefamous writer José MaríaGabriel y Galán.

Bartolomé and San Antonio dePadua.A little to the north of thisbeautiful mountain, on the slopeswe can find the village ofCabezabellosa, surrounded byoak and evergreen oak trees, withbeautiful viewpoints and areas topractice hangliding; inside thevillage is the church of SanLorenzo Mártir(16th-17th century)and the Baroque hermitages ofSan Antonio, Virgen del Castilloand los Mártires.Back to the N-630 to Jarilla,which can bee seen from theroad: its church was declaredArtistic Monument in 1982 – SanGregorio Magno (16th century).In the Cerro de Las PiedrasLabradas (Hill with the carvedstones) you can visit the remainsof a Roman temple. On the rightside of the N-630 is Casas delMonte, which still preservessome interesting remains of theancient Roman road Vía de laPlata. Inside the village is thechurch of San Mateo.

The Ambroz Va l ley

26

Popular architecture in Aldeanueva

The Ambroz Va l ley

Gabriel y Galán reservoir

Built in the shade of an ancientCistercian abbey is the nearbyvillage of Abadía with its Palaceof the Duques de Alba, inRenaissance style, declaredHistorical-Artistic Monumentand also known as Palacio deSotofermoso.The parish church of SantoDomingo de Guzmán is 16th

century displaying a porticowith polygonal columns and astone tower.Nearby and at the feet of TrasSierra, perhaps of ancientVetonic origin, as the discoveryof a “verraco” suggests, isSegura de Toro with a 15th

century parish church – SanJuan. There are also remains of aCastle built in the 13th centurywhose tower is used as theparish belfry.We continue up to Gargantilla,very near to Aldeanueva delCamino and Hervás, which hassome interesting examples ofpopular mountain architectureand a 16th century parish church– Santiago Apóstol. It quartercalled Barrio Perché is famous.

Crossed by the N-630 road andon the ancient roman road Víade la Plata, is Aldeanueva delCamino…There are twointeresting parish churches inthe village; Nuestra Señora delOlmo (late 15th early 16th century)and San Sevando, built in the 16th

century and enlarged in the 18th.The popular architecture here issome of the most interesting inthe area.Located in the south of theSistema Central mountains andin the valley of the river Baño,famous since Roman times for itsthermal spa, one of the mostmodern in Europe, is the villageof Baños de Montemayor. Thisvillage has two parishes, eachwith different dioceses. Thechurch of Santa Catalina (15th –16th centuries) and Santa María,declared Artistic-HistoricalMonument in 1982 (16th – 17th

century).Continuing further up the N-630, we take a turning to LaGarganta, village at more than1000-m altitude, on the slopes ofthe Candelaria sierra. The

27

of San Juan in Baroque style (18th

century), the old convent of thePadres Trinitarios and thePalace of the Dávila, also 18th

century baroque, whichpresently holds the magnificentMuseum Pérez Comendador,born in Hervás.

GASTRONOMYKid meat dishes, trout andmagnificent cured pork sausageproducts (“embutidos”) alsoexcellent home made cakes,chestnuts in Baños deMontemayor and doughnutsand home made wines inHervás.

landscape to be seen on the wayis some of the best in northernExtremadura. In the village thechurch of La Asunción is ofinterest (17th – 18th century).From La Garganta, through themountain range, covered insnow in the winter, we come toHervás, village, which belongedto the feudal domain of Béjarand was a territory of the Orderof the Templars. Its beautifulJewish Quarter has beendeclared of Historical-ArtisticInterest. The parish church ofSanta María, (17th century) inRenaissance style is alsointeresting, as well as the church

The Ambroz Va l ley

28

Jewish quarter in Hervás

The Ambroz Va l ley

29

CRAFTThe basketwork of Baños deMontemayor is famous, as wellas the leatherwork in Hervás.The wood carving inAldeanueva del Camino andHervás is interesting. In Hervásthere are also furniture, barrel,soap and cosmeticsmanufacturers.

FEASTSThe feasts of Carnival andEaster are colourful, and theEaster processions in the smallvillages in the Ambroz valley areespecially solemn.In the summer there are theatreplays related to Jewish cultureand customs.

LANDCAPE AND NATUREAttractive mountain landscapewith large extensions of forestsof evergreen oaks, pines andchestnut trees crossed bysmall streams all through theyear, product of the snows in theheights. The large reservoirs providegood fishing and water-sportsareas, and the mountains,

covered in snow in the winter,are excellent for themountaineers.Many birds of prey can be seenflying over the valley, especiallyin the forest areas and the small valleys aroundHervás and Baños deMontemayor.

Local handicrafts in Baños de Montemayor

Roman arch of Caparra

THE JERTE VALLEY


31

ITINERARYEl Torno - Rebollar - Casas del Castañar -

Cabrero - Piornal - Valdastillas -

Navaconcejo - Cabezuela del Valle -

Jerte - Tornavacas.

INDICATIONS

The valley of Jerte takes its namefrom the river that flows over it,narrowed among the Montes deTras Sierra and the Sierra deTormantos. This valley and thewhole area benefit from mildtemperatures all the year long,what confers it a very specialnatural charm and a privilege forthe crops. An excellentgastronomy joins the climatology,together with magnificent naturalplaces and a good network oflodgings.The popular mountainarchitecture, made of stone andwood frames, is one of the mostrepresentative ones in northernExtremadura.

TOURIST ROUTEOur route through the valley ofthe river Jerte will be on the N-110 road, which goes fromPlasencia to Barco de Ávila andthe river Tormes.The first village we will visit isEl Torno, on the slopes of TrasSierra, an ideal viewpoint to seethe whole of the valley. El Tornois well known for its productionof spirits and liquors. Inside thevillage we can see the parishchurch of Nuestra Señora de laPiedad, made of rough stoneand granite (17th century).Not far away, going down the N-110, is the village of Rebollar, onthe right bank of the river Jerte,surrounded by terraces withcherry and olive trees. From herewe can get to the Pico deCerbunal mountain peak, 1,587metres above sea level, and seethe valleys of Ambroz and Jerte.The church of Santa Catalina is17th century.

El TornoRebollar

Casas del CastañarCabrero

PiornalValdastillas

Navaconcejo

Cabezuela del Valle

Jerte

Tornavacas

PLASENCIA

The Jerte Va l ley

village of Piornal, in the Jertevalley but neighbouring with LaVera, and a very attractive accessto this other valley. It is at 1,200metres above sea level and itsgastronomic products arefamous, the same as its feast,declared of Regional TouristInterest “El Jarramplas”, inJanuary, on the day of thefestivity of San Sebastián. Thechurch of San Juan wasoriginally 15th century.Before going back down to theN-110 road, we can stop inValdeastillas, on the side of theSan Bartolomé sierra, with itsbeautiful narrow streets andhouses adapted to the mountainterrain, typical examples ofmountain architecture in reddishcoloured adobe and woodframing. The church of SantaMaría de Gracia is 16th century,built in cut granite.Going north and following theriver we reach the village ofNavaconcejo, on the left bank ofthe Jerte river, its attractivehouses are lined on both sides oftwo long streets and havewooden frames and overhangingbalconies and eaves, so typical ofthis area. One outstandingbuilding is “La Fabrica” (The

Back to the N-110 road, we cango up the right side of the valley,to the north and reach Casas delCastañar, with interestingmountain buildings, such as thechurch of San Juan, built incarved granite and with asemicircular arched doorway.The nearby village of Cabrero isequally famous in the area for itsspirits and liquors and itsstrategic location in the valley,surrounded by chestnut andcherry trees. The parish churchof San Miguel, built in roughstone in the 18th century, is ofinterest, as well as the housesand streets of the beautifulmountain village.Very few kilometres away is the

The Jerte Va l ley

32

Panoramic view of Rebollar

Popular architecture in Tornavacas

The Jerte Va l ley

33

Square and church in Jerte

Factory) built in the 17th centuryfor cloth making. The church ofNuestra Señora de la Asunción(16th century) is also of interest.From here we can go to twobeautiful locations: La Gargantade San Pedro or go up theCamocho Peak. A few kilometresaway, on the N110 is Cabezueladel Valle, village declared ofArtistic-Historical Interest due toits magnificent buildings withbalconies, drying areas, gallerieswith wooden balustrades,overhanging eaves andmagnificent wooden framedconstruction. The oldest part iscalled “la Aldea” and has steeplittle streets. The church of SanMiguel Arcángel is of interest,built in the 16th – 17th centuryprobably on the site of an ancientsynagogue. It is also worthseeing the main square, in thecentre.The N-110 road goes through thevillage and over a beautifulRoman bridge on the Jerte river.

Continuing on our routenorthwards, we come to Jerte, onthe river the gives it its nameand surrounded by fields andplantations of cherry trees whichon flowering in spring create abeautiful white spectacle. In thevillage one can see the parishchurch of Nuestra Señora de laAsunción (18th century) and the“Barrio de los Bueyes”, anancient quarter of the villagewhich survived the destructionduring the War of Independencein 1809.Nearby is the Nature Reserve“Reserva Natural de laGarganta de los Infiernos”, abeautiful place with impressivelandscape and magnificent floraand fauna. Jerte produces someof the best alabaster inExtremadura.At the highest point of the Jertevalley is Tornavacas, located atthe source of the Jerte river andon the border with the region ofCastilla-León, between the Béjar

Tornavacas”), an ideal naturalbalcony from which tocontemplate the Jerte valley andthe areas round it.

GASTRONOMYExcellent cherry liquors. Curedhams and pork sausages(“chorizo”). Soups (“cachuela”).Trout dishes (“Truchas al moje).Cherries and chestnuts. A greatindustry has arisen around theproduction of cherries with theproduction of liquors and spirits,the most outstanding being itsfamous kirsch.

CRAFTHand made carpentry products.Crochet work in Tornavacas andJerte. Embroidery in Cabezueladel Valle and El Torno.

FEASTSThe Feast of the Cherry Blossom(“Fiesta del Cerezo en Flor”) atthe beginning of spring, which isheld in a different village of thevalley every year. Las Candelasin Jerte and the Fiesta del Fuego(Fire Feast) in Tornavacas. ElJarramplas, January in thevillage of Piornal, during the

and Gredos sierras.This village has beautiful cornersand mountain style buildings aswell as a magnificent view of thewhole valley. The Baroque style16th century church of laAsunción has been declared ofHistorical-Artistic Interest.Tornavacas was formerly calledVillaflor de las Cadenas up tothe reign of Ramiro II, king ofLeón.A few kilometres further up inthe well-known Tornavacasmountain pass (“Puerto de

The Jerte Va l ley

34

Trouts

Fruit liquors

The Jerte Va l ley

35

Jerte river by Navaconcejo

feasts of San Sebastián, declaredof Regional Tourist Interest.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPE Spring brings to the valley thespectacular beautyof theblossoming of thousands ofcherry trees that are grown on its slopes. The Jerte river and itsaffluents offer beautiful crystal-clear gorges with abundanttrout. The NatureReserve of Garganta de losInfiernos.Autumn has its own specialcolour here in the immenseforests that cover the valley, inwinter snow is present at thehigh points and there arenumerous wild mountain goats.The Ruta de Carlos V, routebetween Tornavacas andJarandilla de la Vera is alsointeresting.

Feast of Jarramplas in Piornal

TO LA VERAFROM PLASENCIA


37

ITINERARYGargüera - Barrado - Arroyomolinos

de la Vera - Pasarón de la Vera -

Tejeda de Tiétar - Torremenga -

Jaraíz de la Vera - Collado - Garganta

la Olla - Monasterio de Yuste - Cuacos

de Yuste - Aldeanueva de la Vera -

Guijo de Santa Bárbara - Jarandilla de

la Vera - Losar de la Vera - Robledillo

de la Vera - Viandar de la Vera -

Talaveruela de la Vera - Valverde de

la Vera - Villanueva de la Vera -

Madrigal de la Vera

INDICATIONS

In La Vera, area between theJerte valley and CampoArañuelo. Bordering with thelands of Ávila, we will findmagnificent examples of populararchitecture, some of the bestexamples of wooden-framedbuildings combined with wateroften running down the streets. The abundant and attractivevegetation is anothercharacteristic of this areaacquiring a special colour from spring toautumn. Water is ever present inthis area both as an element of

natural beauty and for sportsand swimming.History impregnates manyvillages and monuments of LaVera, of which the mostoutstanding is the famousMonastery of Yuste, locationchosen by Emperor Carlos I tospend his last years, and thefamous Place of the Condes deOropesa in Jarandilla de la Vera.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route goes along the Ex -203road from Plasencia to Madrigalde la Vera, bordering with theregion of Ávila.

Madrigalde la Vera

GargüeraArroyomolinos

de la Vera

Barrado

Pasarón de la Vera

Tejeda deTiétar

Torremenga

Jaraíz de la VeraCollado

Garganta laOlla

Cuacos de Yuste

Aldeanuevade la Vera

Guijo deSta. Bárbara

Jarandilla de la Vera

Losar dela Vera

Robledillo de la Vera

Viandarde la Vera

Talaveruela de la Vera

Valverde de la Vera

Villanuevade la Vera

PLASENCIA

Monasterio de Yuste

EX-203

To La Vera From Plasencia

Popular architecture in Garganta la Olla

From Pasarón, down the Ex–203, we go through Tejeda deTiétar, a typical village withwhite houses and a Gothic stylechurch San Miguel (16th century),village is famous for its“perunillas”. A few kilometresaway, on the same road and verynear Jaraíz is Torremenga, whereprehistoric and Roman remainshave been found.

The first village to be found onthe route is Gargüera, a goodexample of a mountain villageon the way to the Tormantosmountain range. Its mostinteresting building is the parishchurch of la Asunción, built ingranite, 15th century.Close by is the village ofBarrado, surrounded by cherrytree orchards and beautifullandscape with chestnut and oaktrees, typical of this area, itschurch is San Esteban.A few kilometres away isArroyomolinos de la Vera, wherewe can see the famous gorge ofLa Desesperada. In the Plaza deEspaña is the parish church ofSan Nicolás (16th – 16th century,built in masonry and with an18th century altarpiece.Located on the southern slope ofthe Tormantos mountain range, onwhat was most probably a pre-Roman Celtic settlement, is thevillage of Pasarón de la Vera, withthe Palace of the Condes deOsorno (16th century) and theSalvador church (15th century) withinteresting Baroque altar-pieces.


38

Church of Sta. Maria in Jaraíz de la Vera

Bust of Carlos I in the Monastery of Yuste


39

Gorge in Guijo de Sta. Bárbara

There are also some remains ofits mediaeval castle. The villagehas the traditional wooden-beamed porches on granitepillars. The parish church ofSantiago is 18th century.Two kilometres away is Jaraíz dela Vera, the most importantvillage in la Vera. In the oldestpart of the village one can seethe magnificent church of SantaMaría with its Romanesquedoorway, declared Historical-Artistic Monument )14th-15th

century).Other religious buildings ofinterest are the parish church ofSan Miguel (15th – 16th century)and the Place of ObispoManzano, a good example of 18th

civil architecture inExtremadura.On the road to Cuacos de Yusteone can find the largest naturallake in the area, known as “LaGarganta de Pedro Chate”, an

ideal place for swimming andresting.Nearby, but off the Ex –203 road,is Collado, a small and attractivevillage with an interesting 15th

century church – San Cristóbal,built with small blocks of graniteand brick.Leaving the C-501 road at theJaraiz de la Vera exit, we can

Fountain in Cuacos de Yuste

the Emperor’s palace, in themorning and afternoon. As wellas important and very wellpreserved examples of Gothicreligious architecture in themonastery and its cloister andchurch.In Cuacos de Yuste there areadmirable examples of populararchitecture, fountains and theMain Square with its colonnade.The house where John ofAustria, also known as Jeromín,natural son of Carlos I, was bornis also in the village. The churchof Nuestra Señora de laAsunción is 16th century.On the Ex –203, a few kilometresaway, is Aldeanueva de la Vera,very famous for it production ofpaprika and the streams ofCuacos and San Gregorio, thislatter with a Roman bridge.In the village it is interesting tosee the house of Obsipo Godoy,16th century teologian, built incarved granite, and the parishchurch of San Pedro Apóstol(16th century). The populararchitecture is of the mostinteresting in the area.On the way to Jarandilla de laVera, we will move off the main

visit Garganta la Olla, at thefoot of the Tormantos sierra.Surrounded by vegetation andtrees which give its a uniqueaspect, there are crystal-clearstreams around it and inside thevillage are interesting 15th and17th century buildings as well asits admirable Main Square(“Plaza Mayor”).The church of San Lorenzo is 16th

century with a Renaissance styletower. Here are some of the bestexamples of popular architecturein La Vera.From this village we can go tothe Monastery of Yuste and thevillage of Cuacos de Yuste byway of a road that goes throughmagnificent woodland, this isthe route we recommend,although it is also possible to getthere from Jaraíz, by the Ex –203.The Monastery of Yuste wasbuilt in the 15th century and waschosen by Emperor Carlos V asthe place to spend his last yearsof life. Located 2 km away fromCuacos, it is surrounded bytrees, the water from littlestreams and impressivetranquillity.Here we can visit the rooms of

40

Castle of the Condes de Oropesa in Jarandilla

Guía Tur íst ica de Museos y Colecciones de Extremadura . Badajoz


41

road to visit an attractivemountain village – Gujo deSanta Bárbara, the highestvillage in la Vera, right in themountain surrounded bybeautiful streams. El Guijo alsopreserves interesting examplesof popular architecture and the17th century parish church ofNuestra Señora del Socorro isalso interesting.From here we can descend toJarandilla de la Vera, in aprivileged location and with theCastle of the Condes de Oropesa(15th century), which has beenconverted into a Parador deTurismo.Among the examples of religiousarchitecture are the church ofNuestra Señora de la Torre (14th

century), the convent of theAgustinos Recoletos and thehermitage of Nuestra Señora deSopetrán (17th century).In the Main Square of the villagethe famous feast of “LosEscobazos” is held on the nightof the 7th of December, this feast

has been declared of RegionalTourist Interest. On the outskirtsof the village there is thespectacular Garganta de Jarandagorge. Not far away is the villageof Losar de la Vera, in atransition area between theTormantos mountain range andthe valley of the Tiétar river withattractive streams and naturalswimming pools such asCuartos or Vadillo.Its parish church of SantiagoApóstol is 16th century, with abeautiful Gothic Hispano –Flemish doorway. The beautifulgardens on the sides of the C-501road that goes through thevillage is also typical.Near Losar de la Vera, off the C-105 road and located on anundulating platform isRobeldillo de la Vera, amagnificent natural viewpointfor the Gredos mountain rangeand the valley of the Tiétar river.Its church of San Miguel is 16th

century and has been declaredHistorical-Artistic Monument. It

Gorge in Pedro Chate. Natural swimming pool

also has the typical houses of thearea with their porches andoverhanging balconies, as wellas the Main Square. TheGarganta de Cuartos gorge isalso near.Back on the Ex –203 we come toViandar de la Vera, located onthe slopes of the Tormantossierra, this is one of the villageswhich has best preserved itspopular architecture. It has a 16th

century parish church – SanAndrés, built in masonry andsome carved granite.On the route and very close by isTalaveruela de la Vera, whichgoes up the Vera mountains;very near is the river Tiétar,which together with the Gredosmountain range, conforms thebeautiful landscape round thisvillage.It has an interesting colonnadedsquare with a typical granitefountain in the middle,surrounded by wood and adobebuildings with colourfulbalconies.Valverde de la Vera is also closeby, a historical-artistic villagewith a spectacular popular feast“Fiesta de los Empalaos” onEaster Thursday, this feast hasbeen declared of Regional andNational Tourist Interest. Thepopular architecture is some ofthe best in the area.The Main Square is interestingwith its famous Four spoutsfountain and the Rollo Picota(pillory). The parish church (15th

century) is called Fuentes Claras.Villanueva de la Vera, a fewkilometres from Valverde, is wellknown for its beautiful popularbuildings and the Main Square,as well as for its feast called “ElPeropalo”, which is held duringthe Carnival and has been


42

“Los Empalaos” in Valverde de la Vera

El Peropalo in Villanueva de la Vera


43

declared of National andRegional Tourist Interest. Theold quarter of Villanueva de laVera has also been declared ofHistorical-Artistic importanceand its church – La Concepción -is dated from 16th century andbuilt of rough stone. On theborder with the region of Ávilaand the Gredos mountain range,making it the northern gatewayto those areas, lies the village ofMadrigal de la Vera, wheretraditional architecture isabundant; beautiful buildingswith magnificent balconies andwooden overhanging gables.The large parish church SanPedro Apóstol was built in the15th century and has beenrestored.Not far from the village one canfind one of the largest and mostbeautiful gorges and naturalswimming pools in the north ofExtremadura, on the riverAlardos, with its magnificentsingle arched bridge, possiblyRoman.

GASTRONOMYMagnificent trout and kiddishes. The excellent paprika isfamous. The liquors of Gloria,cherry, raspberry, etc., withoutforgetting the famous “tasajo”(cured goat meat). Home madecakes are also present in most ofthe villages.

CRAFTBeautiful embroidery.Cabinetmaker work, wroughtiron and leather.

FEASTSThree feasts in this area havebeen declared of RegionalTourist Interest in Extremadura:“El Peropalo” in Villanueva de

la Vera during the Carnival; “LosEscobazos” on the 7th ofDecember in Jarandilla de laVera, and “Los Empalaos” inValverde de la Vera on the nightof Easter Thursday to GoodFriday. This latter also declaredof National Tourist Interest.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEThe excellent microclimatepresent in most of this areamakes it the green zone ofExtremadura, with an incrediblybeautiful landscape all the yearround.Its gorges with their crystal-clearwater make attractive naturalswimming pools, ideal forswimming in the summer and a magnificent habitat for trout.As well as a rich native flora,there are also abundant birds ofprey, wild mountain goats andwild pigs.

Fried tenches

Paprika

TO GUADALUPE TROUGHT

THE VILLUERCAS


45

ITINERARYLa Puebla de Guadalupe- Alía -

Cañamero - Logrosán - Berzocana -

Solana - Navezuelas - Roturas -

Cabañas del Castillo - Retamosa -

Robledollano - Campillo de Deleitosa -

Deleitosa.

INDICATIONSLas Villuercas is in the east ofExtremadura, bordering with theregion of Toledo, at aconsiderable altitude whichgives this area its special aspect;abundant vegetation and manyplaces for wildlife to live.On this route one can visit theRoyal Monastery of Guadalupe, Declared a World HeritageMonument, as well as a series ofvillages where the popularmountain architecture is everpresent.The landscape is specially

beautiful in spring and autumn,both for its variety and the mildtemperatures of the area.

TOURIST ROUTEThe route through the Villuercasbegins in La Puebla deGuadalupe, one of the mainartistic and cultural centres ofExtremadura and of the area,due to the fact that located inthis village is the RoyalMonastery of Guadalupe,declared World HeritageMonument.The Royal Monastery wasdeclared National Historical-Artistic Monument and holds animportant collection ofillustrated manuscripts,embroidery, relics, works by thepainter from ExtremaduraZurbarán, by El Greco,goldsmith work, etc.The church was built in Gothic

Cabañasdel Castillo

Retamosa

Deleitosa

Roturas

Navezuelas

Solana

Campillode Deleitosa

Robledollano

Berzocana

Logrosán

Cañamero

Alía

GUADALUPE

EX-102

EX-118

To Guadalupe Through The Vi l luercas

interest, as well as the populararchitecture of many of itsstreets.Not many kilometres away fromthe village is an excellent littletemple in Mudéjar style, on theAltamira mountain range called“Humilladero”.It would also be interesting tovisit the Farm-Palace ofMirabel, the aqueduct and theVilluercas Peak, all very nearGuadalupe.From Guadalupe we can go toAlía, near the riverGuadarranque, which has one ofthe most beautiful Gothic-Moorish style religious buildingsin the whole of Extremadura; theparish church of Santa Catalina,built in the mid 15th century.You can also visit the smallvillage of La Calera and thePeak of Sobacorbas, at 1,312

style in the 15th century, the choirand the seats were made byManuel de Larra Churriguera inthe mid 18th century, the wroughtiron railing of the chancel isGothic-renaissance style, and themagnificent main altar piece is inclassical style.The image of the Virgen NuestraSeñora de Guadalupe is from the12th-13th century. In the 17th

century sacristy there are eightpaintings by the brilliant andfamous artist FranciscoZurbarán. The fantasticpaintings in the chamber are byLuca Giordano. The sepulchre ofFray Gonzalo de Illescas, byEgas Cueman is alsomagnificent.In the village the old schoolColegio de Infantes o deGramática in Mudéjar style,now a Parador de Turismo, is of


46

Town hall and arcade in Logrosán

47

metres of altitude. Also the 15th

century Hospital, made thanksto the Medical School of theRoyal Monastery of Guadalupe.From Alía we return toGuadalupe to go on toCañamero, famous inExtremadura for its good wine,near the village is the riverRuecas and some shelters withprehistoric paintings. The parishchurch of Santo Domingo deGuzmán, built in rough stone,the hermitage of Belén was builtin the Middle-Ages and thereyou can find the image ofNuestra Señora de Belén, patronof Cañamero.Very near Cañamero,surrounded by cork andevergreen oak trees is Logrosán,which has an interesting 16th

century church; San Mateo witha proto-Gothic sculpture fromthe 13th century- the Virgen deCarrascal, patron of the village.In the village the Town Hallsquare, with its beautiful archesand some noble mansions fromthe 15th and 16th centuries.

Continuing to Berzocana, wherewe can find different shelterswith prehistoric paintings(Morales, los Cabritos, Canchosde las Sábanas, etc.). This villageis also known for the Bronze-Age treasure found there “TheTreasure of Berzocana”.The parish church of San JuanBautista is interesting for its sizeand beauty and because it holdsthe relics of San Fulgencio,bishop of Écija, and SantaFlorentina, brother and sister ofSan Isidoro de Sevilla. Enteringthe Villuercas mountain rangewe will visit Solana, and thenearby Cancho del Reloj, withits Bronze-Age paintings. Theparish church – San MiguelArcángel is 16th century and builtof rough stone.A little to the west isNavezuelas, on the slopes of theVilluercas sierra. In the villagewe can visit the 16th centurychurch of Santiago. There areabundant and beautiful viewswith the natural landscape ofthick chestnut and oak forests as

Panoramic view of Cabañas del Castillo


de Frías. The parish churchNuestra Señora de la Peña has aMudéjar style doorway.Retamosa, located in theVilluercas sierra and dependenton Cabañas del Castillo hassome of the most beautifullandscape of the region round it.In the village one can find the15th century church of NuestraSeñora de la Encarnación, withan interesting western doorwayin Mudéjar style, made ofwhitewashed brick.We arrive at Robledollano,called Medio Robledo in thepast due to it belonging both tothe municipalities of Deleitosaand Cabañas del Castillo. The

well as beautiful gorges.Roturas has a privilegedsituation on the slopes of theVilluercas sierra. This smallvillage, dependant of Cabañasdel Castillo, is a magnificentplace surrounded by nature; onecan observe an abundance ofbirds of prey from here.Inside the village is the 16th

century parish church of SanBernardino.Cabañas del Castillo is nearby,attractive due to it situation onthe mountain. The castle is fromthe 14th century and, the same asthe village, belonged to thedomains of the Álvarez deToledo and later to the Duques


48

Craft in Guadalupe


49

parish church is 17th centurywith an altar made of Talaveraceramic tiles.Surrounded by beautifullandscape of aromatic bushesand located at the foot of thepeak Risco del Gordo (821 maltitude), is Campillo deDeleitosa, probably establishedin the 17th century, the same dateas its parish church; SanSebastián.Part of the domains of theDuques de Frías in the past, wecan still see what was theirPalace in the village. Deleitosawas where San Pedro deAlcántara lived and the househe lived in still stands.The large parish church of SanJuan Evangelista was builtbetween the 15th and 16th

centuries and contains aninteresting 16th century baptismfont.

GASTRONOMYMagnificent stews and roasts oflamb and kid, the most famousdish being the “Caldereta deCordero”. Many of the typicaldishes of Extremadura areespecially good in Guadalupe,the “morcillas de berza ycalabaza” are very popular.Dishes made from game are alsoexcellent. Home made cakes:“perrunillas”, “pestiños” and“roscas de muédago”. The winefrom Cañamero is excellent, the“Gloria wine” from Guadalupeand Berzocana, this latter alsofamous for its honey andcheeses.

CRAFTEmbroidery in Alía, Cañameroand Guadalupe. Works incopper, brass, cane and ceramicsin Guadalupe. Interwoven cloth

blankets in Alía, Cañamero andLogrosán.

FEASTSThe Virgin of Guadalupe, patronof Extremadura, on the 8th ofSeptember and El Corpus andSan Juan in Guadalupe. OnEaster Monday the Romería dela Virgen de Belén in Cañamero.“Las Candelas” in Alía.

NATURE AND LANSCAPEThe landscape of this area issome of the most varied in Extremadura; there are peakssuch as Pico Villuercas at 1,6000m at the foot of which arebeautiful valleys with majesticforests of alder, ash, cork andevergreen oak trees. The twomain rivers are Brezocana andAlmonte. The climate is one ofabundant rainfall, which isresponsible for the dense andbeautiful vegetation. In theregional hunting grounds thereis an abundance of doe, boar anddeer.

“Muédago” ring pie

THE IBORES7 WEEKEND ROUTES IN EXTREMADURA

51

ITINERARYCarrascalejo - Villar del Pedroso - Valdelacasa del Tajo - Garvín -

Peraleda de San Román - Bohonal deIbor - Mesas de Ibor - Fresnedoso

de Ibor - Castañar de Ibor - Navalvillar de Ibor

INDICATIONSBetween Campo Arañuelo andLas Villuercas, in the west ofExtremadura, lies the region of Los Ibores,bordering with the region ofToledo.The Ibores has magnificentmountainous landscape with thetypical vegetationof chestnut and evergreen oaktrees, an excellent habitat formultitudes

of birds of prey. The smallvillages in this area preserve aninteresting historicaland artistic heritage,complemented by a richgastronomy where the excellentgoat cheeses are a speciality.

TOURIST ROUTEFollowing the riverGuadarrenque from Guadalupethe first village we reach isNavatrasierra, surrounded bythe attractive mountainlandscape of the Ibores, betweenthe Valdelacasa and Altamirasierras.Despite it being a very smallvillage, there are some typicalbuildings that can be seen fromthe road, which will take us toCarrascalejo, almost on the

Garvín

Valdelacasa del Tajo

Villar delPedroso

Carrascalejo

Peraleda deSan Román

Bohonalde Ibor

Mesasde Ibor

Fresnedosode Ibor

Castañarde Ibor

Navalvillarde Ibor

GUADALUPE

The Ibores

18th, it also has a beautiful 18th

century altar piece made withTalavera ceramic tiles.On entering Valdelacasa delTajo there is an attractive VíaCrucis made in 1821 and paid forby the village, this is the locationof the famous “cruces” in Mayand religious celebrations inEaster.In the village there is aninteresting church; NuestraSeñora de la Asunción, andnearby, on the banks of the riverTagus, we can visit the ruins ofan Arab castle -Espejel.On the slopes of the Valdelacasasierra and the banks of the riverTagus, we can find the village ofGarvín with its 16th centurychurch built in cut granite and

banks of the river Gualija.Carrascalejo is located betweenthe Valdelacasa and Altamirasierras, bordering with theprovince of Ciudad Real. Itschurch was built between the 17th

and 18th centuries and has aninteresting late 17th centurybaptismal font.Going northwards to the riverTagus, we come to Villar delPedroso, where according toseveral historians, the Romantown of Augustobriga waslocated. It has some interesting16th century buildings in theHospital street. The parishchurch of San Pedro is one of themost important religiousbuildings in the area, built in the15th century and reformed in the

The Ibores

52

Natural swimming pool in Castañar de Ibor

The Ibores

53

with Gothic tracery – NuestraSeñora de la Asunción.In Peraleda de San Roman thereis abundant game, it is popularwith hunters. It also has amagnificent church – San JuanBautista, built in the 16th centuryin rough stone and cut granite.Its baroque altarpieces areinteresting especially the mainone in classical style.The Main Square of Bohnal deIbor has some typical arcadesbuilt of brick with semicirculararches of clearly Mudéjarinfluence. The parish church of

San Bartolomé is 17th -18th

century.Near the village you can visit theremains of a Roman Temple,declared Historical-ArtisticMonument in 1931, whichbelonged to the Roman town ofAugustobriga (Talavera la Vieja),it was brought to its presentlocation before the waters of theValdecañas reservoir flooded itsoriginal site.Mesas de Ibor, near theValdecañas Reservoir, has someinteresting typical buildings andthe attractive 17th century parish

Peraleda de S. Román. S. Juan B. Church

the 16th century in rough stone.The nearby river Ibor has somebeautiful natural swimmingpools.The last village to visit on thisroute is Navalvillar de Ibor, wellknown for its famous cheesesand embroidery. It is on theslopes of the Villuercas sierraand on the river Ibor. It has aninteresting 16th century parishchurch with a Gothic altarpiecewith some paintings on wood.

GASTRONOMYThis area is famous for itsexcellent goat cheeses withDesignation of Origin(Denominación de Origen), thereare also magnificent dishes madefrom game, kid meat, lamb and

church of San Benito Abad. Nearthe village is the river Ibor, andthere is a beautiful mediaevalbridge over it, built by the Mesta(sheep breeder association).Fresnedoso de Ibor issurrounded by mountains andplaced in a small valley withnatural swimming pools on theriver Ibor. The parish church is15th century and built in roughstone and cut granite.Castañar de Ibor, as well as itspopular architecture, has afamous cave: Gruta de la Cruz,declared Natural Monument,with an underground lake andbeautiful stalactites andstalagmites. At the highest pointin the village, the parish churchof San Benito is located, built in

The Ibores

54

Via Crucis in Valdelacasa del Tajo

The Ibores

55

Roman temple of Augustobriga

pork and the famous“chicharrones” from Villar delPedroso.

CRAFTEmbroidery and lace inFresnedoso de Ibor andNavalvillar de Ibor. Woodenchairs in Bohnal de Ibor.

FEASTSSan Antón in Fresnedoso,Deleitosa and Cabañas delCastillo. Las Candelas inValdelascasa del Tajo andNavezuela. Carnival in Bohnalde Ibor. Without forgetting thefamous “Encuentro” duringEaster in Deleitosa.

NATURE AND LANSCAPE

This is an area of parallelmountain ranges (Deleitosa andAltamira sierras) withimpressive peaks inhabited by agreat number of birds of prey.The landscape is made up oflarge extensions of chestnut, oak,cork and evergreen oak forests.There are picturesque rockyslopes and important olivegroves.The natural swimming pools areanother attraction to add to thisarea.There is big game in the wholeof the area.

THE LAKES AND MOUNTAINS OF

LA SIBERIA


57

ITINERARYOrellana la Vieja - Orellana de la Sierra -

Navalvillar de Pela - Casas de Don Pedro

- Valdecaballeros - Castilblanco -

Helechosa de los Montes - Bohonal -

Villarta de los Montes - Fuenlabrada de

los Montes - Herrera del Duque -

Peloche - Talarrubias - Garbayuela -

Tamurejo - Baterno - Siruela -

Sancti Spiritus - El Risco - Garlitos -

Puebla de Alcocer - Esparragosa de

Lares - Galizuela

INDICATIONSThis area is located in the east ofExtremadura, bordering with theprovince of Ciudad Real and thearea of La Serena. It has anattractive combination ofreservoirs and mountains and isthe birthplace of many rivers

that flow through the mostfertile land in Badajoz.

The combination of mountains,hills and reservoirs give the areaan attractive appearance most ofthe year. Here are the best placesfor water-sports in Extremadura,without forgetting the pleasantspa of Valdefernando in thevillage of Valdecaballeros.Its interesting artistic andhistorical heritage is the best inwestern Extremadura.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route begins in Orellana laVieja, on the edge of theOrellana Reservoir. A villagethat belonged to the domains ofSan Juan de la Cámara in the 18th

century. In the village one cansee the remains of theCastle–Palace of the Beljida.

Orellanala Vieja

Orellana de la Sierra

Navalvillarde Pela Casas de

Don Pedro

Valdecaballeros

Castilblanco Helechosade los Montes

Bohonal

Villarta delos Montes

Fuenlabrada delos MontesHerrera

del Duque

Peloche

Talarrubias

Garbayuela

Tamurejo

BaternoSiruela

Sancti-Spiritus

El RiscoGarlitos

Puebla de AlcocerEsparragosa

de Lares Galizuela

Pantano del Cíjara

Embalse deGarcía Sola

Embalse deOrellana

Embalsedel Zújar

Embalse dela Serena

The Lakes and Mounta ins of La S iber ia

Very near the village one canvisit the remains of the Romantown of Lacipea. The OrellanaReservoir and the Pela sierra areboth protected areas.There is a very popular feast inJanuary, which has beendeclared of Regional TouristInterest; “La Encamisá” wherepeople on horseback are theprotagonists of a great cordialfeast and the visitors are offeredhome made wine and cakes.There are two interestingreligious buildings inNavalvillar: The parish church ofSanta Catalina (18th century)and the hermitage of la Caridad(17th century).

The church – InmaculadaConcepción – is 16th century andpreserves its original woodenceiling.Just next to Orellana la Vieja onthe way to Navalvillar de Pela isthe village of Orellana de laSierra, located in the Pela sierraand also by the reservoir. Itshouses are part of the beautifullandscape.Here one can find the remains ofthe Palace of García Bejarano,built in granite and very near theparish church of Espiritu Santo.Going through an unforgettablemountain landscape we come toNavalvillar de Pela, on a plainat the feet of Trasierra de Pela.


58

Parish church in Castilblanco

Square and church in Valdecaballeros


59

On the right bank of theGuadiana river is Casas de DonPedro, with some magnificentexamples of Mudéjar style workin the parish church of SanPedro.Casa de Don Pedro got its namefrom King Pedro I of Castille,who, according to tradition, afterdefeat in the Battle of Montielwas buried in the parish church.From Casas de Don Pedro on theN-430 road we come to thePuerto Peña dam, surroundedby magnificent landscape with alarge number of birds amongwhich are the black stork and thevulture. On the left edge of theGarcía Sola Reservoir we come

to Valdecaballeros, near theChimenea Sierra, surrounded bybeautiful evergreen oak woodsand bushland. It has a famousspa – Balneario de Valfernando –an important thermal centre.There is also a Regional HuntingGround.In the town one can see the 15th

century parish church of SanMiguel, built in Mudéjar style.At the entrance one can readsome Roman inscriptions on thestones referring to the EmperorsVespasian and Domician.Fishing and hunting areabundant in this area.In the nearby village ofCastilblanco we can still seebuildings with typical Arabinfluence, especially in thequarters called “Picocerro” and“Perchel” with whitewashedfronts, small windows and Arabstyle roof tiles.The parish church of SanCristobal, 15th century Mudéjarstyle, is located in an areapopularly called “el castillo”(the castle).If we continue northward wewill reach the dam of the CíjaraReservoir and continue throughthe Regional Hunting Reserve(Reserva Regional de Caza de

Town Hall square in Helechosa

Regional Hunting Reserve of the Cíjara

the reservoir to reach the villageis also interesting. Continuingthrough this attractivecountryside we come to Villartade los Montes, located at the footof the Umbría sierra, in theMontes de Toledo range, here wecan see the “Valle del Castañar”with its waterfalls, and the“Hoces del Guadiana” and“Robledillo”. The parish churchof Santa María Magdalena hasan interesting baroque altar-piece by Juan Correa de Vivar.The hermitage of Nuestra Señorade la Antigua, of Mudéjar styleis on the outskirts.Travelling through the mountainrange to the N-430 road whichgoes to Ciudad Real, and on thisroad we will stop in Fuenlabradade los Montes, surrounded bytypical Extremadura plainscountryside and very near to theNatural Park of Robledillo.

Cíjara) until we reach Helechosade los Montes, at the end of theRinconada sierra and on theslopes of the Batanes sierra. Ithas a surprisingly beautifulmountain landscape. Here biggame and fishing are alsoabundant.Some of the facades of thebuildings are covered ininscriptions and paintings. Theparish church; Nuestra Señorade Altagracia is 16th century.There is a famous feast called“Los Diablucos” on CorpusChristi day.On the edge of the HuntingReserve of Cíjara, in theDehesilla Sierra and next to thereservoir is the Bohnal,bordering with the region ofCiudad Real.This village is situated in amountain landscape with pinewoods and attractive locationsround the reservoir, whichmakes it especially attractive. Inthe small but typical village onecan visit the 16th century parishchurch of San Juan Bautista.The enormous bridge built over


60

Typical street in Villarta de los Montes

Parish church in Fuenlabrada de losMontes


61

Fuenlabrada is the capital ofhoney production in this area, ithas a parish church – LaAsunción – built with enormousbuttresses and containing aninteresting altar-piece by Juan deHolanda and Diego de Aguilar.Nearby is the village of Herreradel Duque, whose name comesfrom the fact that it was thedomain of the Duques de Osunafor many years. It has severalancient mansions with veryimpressive facades of greathistorical interest such as theCasa de la Encomienda deAlcántara also known as “Casadel Congo”.It has a magnificent Main Squarewith arcades. It also has animportant castle built ofmasonry and brick.The main religious building isthe church of San Juan Bautista,built in the 15th century, whichcontains a solid silvermonstrance made in the 16th

century by Gregorio Borja andFranco Morales, which weighsmore than 40 Kg. One can alsosee the remains of the 16th

century Franciscan convent SanJerónimo, founded by D.Antonio de Sotomayor.Continuing round the edge ofthe García Sola reservoir wecome to Peloche, which hassome interesting prehistoricpaintings nearby. The parishchurch is San Antonio Abad.Near the river Guadiana and theZújar and also close to theGolondrinas and the Chimeneassierras is Talarrubias with aninteresting artistic-historicallegacy such as the parish churchof Santa Catalina, built inGothic style with many Mudéjarand Renaissance elements.Other interesting religiousbuildings are the Hermitage ofNuestra Señora del Carmen,with a Rococo interior, and onthe outskirts, the hermitages ofSan Roque and La Coronada.Around Talarrubias there aresome important prehistoricpaintings in the shelter called“La Panda”. Just next to theVillares mountain range isGarbayuela, surrounded bytypical Extremadura plains

The large Square in Herrera del Duque

It is just next to the province ofCiudad Real and there are twointeresting religious buildingsthere: the 16th centurywhitewashed parish church ofSan Andrés and, on the outskirts,the beautiful and well-knownHermitage of the Virgen delFuego.Siruela is only a few kilometresaway, located in the shady partof the Siruela mountain rangeand near the river with the samename. In the Middle ages it wasknown as Villanueva de Siruela.Stella from the Tarteso

countryside. The parish churchis consecrated to San Pedro andis 16th century with a GothicChrist from the same era.On the “border” with theprovince of Ciudad Real andalmost on the banks of the riverSiruela, lies Tamurejo, which hassome interesting buildings in thetypical popular style of the area.The parish church of San Toribiode Liébana was rebuilt in the late19th century. Baterno is close by.This village was founded in the19th century at the foot of the“Cerro del Morro” hill.


Parish church in Talarrubias

Hermitage of the Virgen del Fuego. Baterno

62


63

civilisation, pre-Roman andRoman remains all point to agreat historical past which willcontinue during the Arabdomination and the followingcenturies. It was one of the mostimportant centres of the Mesta(sheep breeder’s association)during the reign of the CatholicKings, and you can still seeremains of the old castle built bythe Templars in the 13th centuryand called “La Cava”.The parish church is NuestraSeñora de la Antigua, animportant religious building.The Clarisas Convent is from the16th century and opposite is the

Palacio de los Duques, with abaroque 17th century facade. TheHospital de San Francisco datesfrom the 16th century.Close by is the village of SanctiSpiritus on the edge of themagnificent Serena Reservoir, ona plain beside the Cuchillo sierra.The parish church is consecratedto the Espíritu Santo and built ofwhitewashed masonry with astrong Mudéjar influence.Without losing sight of theSerena reservoir and on its edge,we come to El Risco with itsparish church of San Blas, builtin stone and brick with aclassical doorway.The village of Garlitos, whichfor centuries belonged to thedominions of the Ducado deBenavente, is surrounded bybeautiful countryside and thereservoir of la Serena. Thehermitage of Nuestra Señora deNazaret displays sometombstones from the Romantimes, perhaps from the town ofMirobriga.The castle of Puebla de Alcocer,one of the most importantvillages in the Siberia region, canbe seen from many of the othervillages in the area. The village is

Castle of Puebla de Alcocer

Hospital de S. Francisco. Siruela

historic Casa de la Inquisición,without forgetting the beautifulMain Square.In the westernmost part of theSiberia, almost on the borderwith the Serena region, isEsparragosa de Lares, whichbelonged to the dominions of theTemplars and through which theflocks of sheep of the Mestapassed, as it was part of the“Real Dehesa de la Serena”.Here one can see the church ofSanta Catalina de Alejandríaand the Town Hall with itsarcade.Galizuela is very nearEsparragosa de Lares, and forcenturies belonged to thedominions of the Order ofAlcántara, it is located near the“Puerto de Alcozarejo” –mountain pass for the flocks ofthe Mesta. Of interest is theFortified House of the Marquésde Someruelo. The hermitage ofthe Encarnación, the hermitageof Nuestra Señora de Lares,called “de la Cueva” or “delRisco” are also of interest.

GASTRONOMYAbundant production of honeyin most of the area, above all in

located below the castle, on thesouthern slopes of the Laressierra, there was an olderlocation further down the slopeknown as Aldeavieja.In the village the parish church –Santiago -is of interest, it wasbuilt in Mudéjar style andcontains the tomb of the Maestrede Alcántara, Gutierrez deSotomayor. There are alsointeresting buildings of noblefamilies; Palacio del Duque deOsuna, the famous Casona deSan Juan de la Puebla or the


64

Panoramic view from Puerto Peña

Spa of Valdefernando. Valdecaballeros


NATURE AND LANSCAPEThanks to the fact that thelargest reservoirs inExtremadura are located here, ithas become an area ofexceptional beauty combiningmountains, hills and enormouspine and evergreen oak forestswith hundreds of kilometres offreshwater shoreline.The Regional Hunting Reserve ofCíjara and the Regional HuntingGround of Valdecaballeros areoutstanding, and there are manyother places for swimming andbathing as well as water sportson the reservoirs.The areas of Puerto Peña,Orellana, Apretura de la Hozand Sierra de Peloche aremagnificent habitats for birds ofprey like the vulture.The plains are also visited bycranes, especially round theOrellana reservoir.

Fuenlabrada de los Montes. The“Escarapuche de Peces” (a fishdish) is well known in Peloche.Rabbit in Valdecaballeros. Thehome made cakes with honeyare made in all of the area,especially the “bollos dormidos”in Castilblanco. Wine is made inEsparragosa de Lares.

CRAFTLeather work, lace andembroidery in most of this area.Good pottery. The famous“mantas de tiras” (stripedblankets) are still made inNavalvillar de Pela.

FEASTS“La Encamisá” in Navalvillar dePela during the festivities of SanAntón in January. Feast declaredof Regional Tourist Interest.Festivity of “El Corpus” inHelechosa de los Montes with itsfamous “Diablucos” (littledevils). The feast of the Virgin ofNazaret in Garlitos on the 8th

September. The “Lumbre de losQuintos” inValdecaballeros, is alsointeresting.

“La Encamisá” in Navalvillar de Pela

65

TIERRA DE BARROS


67

ITINERARYAlmendralejo - Aceuchal - Solana de

los Barros - Corte de Peleas - Entrín Bajo

- Entrín Alto - La Albuera - Almendral -

Torre de Miguel Sesmero - Nogales -

Santa Marta de los Barros - Villalba

de los Barros - Fuente del Maestre -

La Parra - La Morera - Feria - Los Santos

de Maimona - Villafranca de los Barros -

Ribera del Fresno - Puebla del Prior -

Hinojosa del Valle - Hornachos -

Puebla de la Reina - Palomas - Alange

INDICATIONSTierra de Barros is one of themost fertile areas ofExtremadura, it is crossed by the N-630 road, built on theold Roman Vía de la Plata. It is atransition area between theVegas del Guadiana area and thehills in southern Extremadura. This route is loaded with history,and one can visit importanttowns from the Middle Ages,which belonged to the MilitaryOrders that establishedthemselves here from the time ofthe Reconquest from the Arabs

and there are still many remainsof their legacy. Lands of extenseand well looked after vineyardswhich give name to the famousDenomination for wines of theregion – Tierra de Barros. Thereis also good food and popularfeasts such as “Las Candelas”and “La Cruz”. Trekking,hangliding, fishing and sailingon the reservoirs are otherattractions of this area.

TOURIST ROUTEThe route will begin inAlmedralejo, the most importanttown in Tierra de Barros, a townthat was established in theMiddle Ages by the Order ofSantiago in the 13th century,becoming an “Encomienda”(feudal concession) in the mid14th century.Almendralejo is the birthplace oftwo famous Spanish writers:José de Espronceda and CarolinaCoronado. This wine- producingcentre has important cellars andan Enological Centre. Its bullringis one of the most beautiful in

EX-105Puebla de la Reina

Palomas

Fuente del Maestre Hornachos

AlangeSolana delos BarrosCorte de

PeleasEntrín Bajo

AceuchalEntrín Alto

Santa Martade los Barros

Villalba delos Barros

Feria

La Morera

La ParraRibera del Fresno

Puebla del Prior

La Albuera

Almendral

Nogales

Torre de MiguelSesmero

Embalsede Alange

Los Santosde Maimona

Villafranca delos Barros

ALMENDRALEJO

Hinojosa del Valle

Tier ra de Barros

A-66

A-66

Tourist Interest.Less than 10 km fromAlmendralejo is Aceuchal, whichduring the Reconquest was afortress of the Templars, and inthe 14th century, would belong tothe Order of Santiago, becomingthe head of the Domain.Monuments of interest are thehermitage of San Andrés, inMudéjar style, the old 18th

century Granary, the Casa de laEncomienda, the 15th centuryparish church of San Pedro andthe Town Hall. Aceuchal isfamous for its production ofgarlic.Solana de los Barros, located onthe left bank of the riverGuadajira, was under the rule ofthe Templars after theReconquest, and in the mid 14th

century was to form part ofdomains of Feria. The 16th

century parish church isdedicated to Santa MaríaMagdalena.Located on the road from Solanato Barcarrota and from Badajoz

Spain. The parish church of laPurificación is 16th century witha baroque style tower and someGothic-renaissance doorways.The churches of San Roque andSan José are also of interest.There are several convents; lasClarisas de Nuestra Señora delAmparo (16th century) and SanAntonio, Franciscan (17th

century), declared Historical-Artistic Monument. Thehermitage of Nuestra Señora dela Piedad was built in the early16th century.Of the mansions and palaces themost interesting are the Palaceof the Marqués de Monsalud (18th

century), now the Town Hall, thebuilding of the Sociedad delObrero Extremeño is also veryinteresting as well as the Casinodel Círculo Mecantíl Agrícola,decorated with paintings byAdelardo Covarsí.The feast of “Las Candelas” heldon the night from the 1st to the 2nd

of February is famous in thewhole of the region and has beendeclared Feast of Regional

Tier ra de Barros

68

Parish church of Almendralejo

Monsalud Palace in Almendralejo

Tier ra de Barros

69

to Villalba is the village of Cortede Pelas, konwn for may yearsas “Cortecilla”. The old 14th

century church of Santa MaríaEgipciaca was demolished andreplaced by a modernwhitewashed building.Entrín Bajo is near the streamcalled Entrín, and its origin isfrom the troops from León whosettled here after the Reconquestfrom the Arabs. The church isearly 20th century.Entrín Alto, the same as theother, was founded after theReconquest. Its parish church –Santa Rita – has tracery vaults.Near this church is a Museum-House, which has someinteresting remains from thePijotilla excavation.Between Entrín Alto and EntrínBajo there are some mediaevalbridges, and nearby there are themanors of Cartagena andRetamal.The N-432 road goes through LaAlbuera, which is famous for thebattle that took place near the

village in 1811 – The Battle of LaAlbuera, during the War ofIndependence. There is aninteresting Museum about thisbattle in the village.The 16th century parish church iscalled Nuestra Señora delCamino and near it is amonument commemorating theabove-mentioned battle. In themain square there is aninteresting municipalethnographical collection.Nearby is Almendral, located onthe edge of the Sierra Sur andbelonging in the past to thedomains of Feria. It has twochurches in the same square: SanPedro and La Magdalena(Gothic 15th century). Thehermitage of Finibus Terrae,built in Mudéjar style withvisigothic details on thedoorway, is magnificent.Torre de Miguel Sesmero has a16th century parish church –Ntra. Sra. De la Candelaria, anda 18th century convent- Claras oMolino.

Church in Solana de los Barros

many years the residence of theLords of Feria who lived in thecastle until the mid 15th centurywhen they move their residenceto the fortress of Zafra.The beautiful Castle is the mostinteresting building in thevillage, built in 1418 by D.Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, firstDuke of Feria. The parishchurch- la Purificación is Gothic,from the 16th century. The wineproduction of this village isfamous.We now come to Fuente delMaestre, with remains from thetimes of the Roman and Arabdomination. In the Middle Agesit belonged to the Order ofMaestre and later Santiago,which will make it the head ofthe domain. The present namecomes from Maestre LorenzoSuárez de Figueroa.In the Plaza del Corro square wecan see the Palacio del GranMaestre, built in Mudéjar style,and the Fuente del Corrofountain, nearby is anotherbeautiful square, the parishchurch and the Town Hall.The Town Hall is 18th centuryand has a beautiful arcade. The

On the edge of the Sierra Sur wecan visit Nogales, a strategicviewpoint for the domains ofFeria from the late 14th centuryand built beside the impressivecastle, an important militaryenclave in the Middle Ages withits magnificent 35m high Torredel Homenaje (tower), next tothe castle is the 15th centurychurch of San Cristóbal with aGothic facade.Santa Marta de los Barros is atypical village of the Tierra deBarros area, surrounded by olivegroves and vineyards which giveit is fame in the production ofgood oil and wines (there arenumerous cellars). The presentvillage was founded in the 16th

century by the first Duque deFeria, D. Gómez Suárez deFigueroa.In the mid 17th century SantaMarta was destroyed in the waragainst Portugal and rebuilt.Inside the village one can see the16th century parish church ofSanta Marta. Built over a formerhermitage and with aninteresting Gothic granitedoorway.Villalba de los Barros was for

70

Castle of Nogales

Tier ra de Barros

Tier ra de Barros

71

parish church of la Candelaria,rebuilt in the 16th century on thefoundations of anotherdedicated to Santa María laMayor and declared Historical-Artistic Monument, the same asthe rest of the town. TheConvent of San Francisco is 16th

century.La Parra is located in the sierraand on the old road from Méridato Jerez de los Caballeros. Thecentre of the village is the PlazaMayor (main square) with itsTown Hall that has a Mudéjar

style brick arcade. Opposite theTown Hall is the parish churchof Ntra. Sra. De la Asunción.There is also an old 17th centuryConvent of the Clarisas, nowand excellent inn. On theoutskirts one can find thehermitage of San Juan, built inthe 16th century by the Duquesde Feria. This is a specially goodlocation to practice hangliding.Nearby and surrounded bybeautiful landscape is the villageof La Morera, known in the pastas “Carpio de Mérida”, one cansee here typical buildings madeof adobe.On the outskirts is the parishchurch of San Lorenzo Mártir

Battle Museum in La Albuera

Panoramic view of Villalba de los Barros

Parish church of Fuente del Maestre

Historical-Artistic Enclave since1970. At the beginning of Maythe feast of La Santa Cruz iscelebrated, this has beendeclared of Regional TouristInterest.From Feria we continue south toLos Santos de Maimona, whichbelonged to the Order ofSantiago. The parish church –Ntra. Sra. De los Ángeles wasbuilt in the 16th century in Gothic-renaissance style with verybeautiful plateresque doorways.Near the church is the Casa de laEncomienda, in the past aHospital and Convent of laConcepción, today the Town Hall.

with its simple Mudéjar styledoorway. In the distance one cansee Feria, on the outskirts of thevillage there is a dolmen called“La Casa del Monje”. The mostfamous monument here is the15th century castle built byLorenzo Suárez de Figueroa,which gave birth to the domainsof the Feria.The church of San Bartolomé isGothic, from the late 16th centuryand nearby is the beautifulSquare with its 17th centuryMudéjar style brick arcades. Theso-called “Rincón de la Cruz” isalso interesting.Feria has been declared National

Tier ra de Barros

72

Panoramic view of Hornachos

Church and square in La Parra

Fiesta de La Cruz in Feria

Tier ra de Barros

73

On the outskirts is the sanctuaryof Ntra. Sra. De La Estrella (18th

century), patron of the town.On the road built over theRoman Vía de la Plata we reachVillafranca de los Barros, whichafter the Reconquest from theArabs was to belong to theOrder of Santiago, becoming inthe mid 16th century the head ofthe Domain.Among its religious buildingsthe parish church of Ntra. Sra.Del Valle (16th century) and thetotally whitewashed hermitageof la Coronada (15th century) areworthy of mention. Wine, oliveoil and lace making from thistown are famous.Located on the banks of thestream Valdemedel is Ribera delFresno, of Arab origin, in the 13th

century under the rule of theOrder of Santiago, becominghead of the Domain.Near the hermitage of SantaCecilia one can still see theremains of the 15th centurycastle. There are otherhermitages such as Virgen delValle, patron of the village, and

Cristo de la Misericordia (18th

century). The parish church isNtra. Sra. De Gracia, from the15th century with two towers.Puebla del Prior is very near,this village was founded afterthe Reconquest by the Order ofSantiago, and the House of thePrior of the Order wasestablished here.The parish church of SanEsteban is 15th century and nextto it is a Palace, which was theresidence of the priors of theOrder of Santiago in the 15th

century. The hermitage of Ntra.Sra, de Botoz is located by thebrook with the same name.Hinojosa del Valle, founded inthe 13th century by the KnightCommander of Hornachos,Pedro Pérez, is located in thesouth of Tierra de Barros. In thevillage one can see the parishchurch of Ntra. Sra. De losÁngeles (16th century Gothic-Mudéjar).Hornachos, the ancient RomanFornacis or Fornace has someinteresting prehistoric paintingsnear the remains of the castle, an

Castle of Feria

built in the 15th century inMudéjar style with a beautifulfacade tower built of brick anddecorated with polychomedtiles. In the outskirts is thehermitage of the Mártires de SanFabián y San Sebastián, also inMudéjar style and from the late15th century.Five kilometres away we reachPalomas, on the right bank ofthe Palomillas river, its originwas probably Arab, although inthe 13th century it was under therule of the Order of Santiagowho made it the head of theDomain.In the village one can see the 16th

century parish church of Ntra.Sra, de Gracia, in Mudéjar stylewith an extraordinary bricktower. Over the river Palomillasthere is a beautiful Mudéjarbridge, probably built over theremains of a Roman bridge.Twelve kilometres away,following the majestic AlanjeReservoir on the river Matachel,we come to the ancient town ofAlanje, famous since Romantimes for its thermal waters,

area of great ecological value,declared Zone for SpecialPreservation.In 1234 the Order of Santiagonamed it head of the Domainand seat of the Ambassador.King Felipe II in 1610 orderedthe expulsion of almost 10,000moriscos (Arabs that stayed inSpain after the end of the Arabrule of the peninsula) that livedin the area and were expelled towhat is now Morocco, creatingthe Republic of Salé.The parish church of la PurísimaConcepción, rebuilt during thereign of the Catholic Kings, isone of the most interestingexamples of Mudéjar style art inExtremadura, it has beendeclared a monument ofHistorical-Artistic Interest.Thirteen kilometres away isPuebla de la Reina, beside thePalomillas brook. This villagewas repopulated in the 13th

century by the Order ofSantiago.It was known in the past as“Puebla de la Jara”. It has aninteresting church; Santa Olalla

Tier ra de Barros

74

Parish church in Los Santos Parish church in Vfca. de los Barros

Tier ra de Barros

75

declared Historical-ArtisticMonument and around whichone of the most important Spasin Spain has been built.The 15th – 16th century parishchurch, built in Mudéjar style isin the main square. The castle ison the highest point of the townand is a symbol of its strategicimportance during the Arabdomination. There are abundantprehistoric paintings in theneighbourhood and thecountryside is very beautiful.

GASTRONOMY“Cojondongo”, “Zorongollo”(red pepper salad), “Gazpacho”(cold vegetable soup) as well asthe typical “Migas Extremeñas”(dish made of breadcrumbs) inthe whole of the area. Excellentdishes made from game,“embutidos” and “jamones”(cured hams).Excellent wines and liquors inAlmendralejo, Villalba de losBarros and Villafranca de losBarros, where we will also findgood olive oil and table olives.Tench fish in Feria.

CRAFTPaper flowers and decorations inFeria. Embroidery in Villafranca

de los Barros and Ribera delFresno.

FEASTSLas Candelas in Almendralejo(night of 1st to 2nd of February).La Cruz, 3rd and 4th of May inFeria, both declared of RegionalTourist Interest.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEMagnificent agricultural land forcereals, olives and vines, some ofthe best in western Spain.This agricultural land issprinkled with hills and lowaltitude sierras such as SierraVieja in Feria or the one on LosSantos, and also the typicalplains of Extremadura with theirevergreen oak forests.The Sierra of Hornachos is aProtected Area. Castles are atypical characteristic if thelandscape of this area, symbol ofits history of frontier betweenChristians and Moslems.

Palomas. Church of Ntra. Sra. de Gracia

Las Candelas in Almendralejo

THE SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN RANGE


77

ITINERARYFregenal de la Sierra - Higuera la Real

- Valverde de Burguillos - Puebla de

Sancho Pérez - Medina de Las Torres -

Zafra - La Lapa - Alconera -

Burguillos del Cerro - Brovales -

Valuengo - La Bazana -

Salvatierra de los Barros - Salvaleón

- Barcarrota - Higuera de Vargas -

Zahínos - Jerez de los Caballeros -

Valle de Santa Ana - Valle de Matamoros

INDICATIONSIts southern position inExtremadura means it isneighbouring with Andalucia(Huelva) and Portugal (“LaRaya”) on most of its limits.It is the reign of “pata negra”(Iberian pig) and has become themost important producer ofhams and other cured productsfrom the Iberian Black Pig.Its historical- artistic heritage

goes back to prehistoric times,the Middle Ages, the period ofArab domination and theMilitary Orders and specially thebaroque period.The proximity to Andalucia andPortugal makes it especiallyattractive and is reflected in itsfood, folklore and customs.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route begins in Fregenal dela Sierra, town with twopossible origins, one Phoenician–Acinus- and another Celtic–Nertobriga-, when the Romanstook over it was calledConcordia Iulia.King Fernando III was to regainthe town from the Arabs and itcame under the jurisdiction ofthe Order of the Temple andlater Santiago. The fortress datesback to the time of the Templarsand was built on an Arabfortress and today the central

Fregenalde la Sierra

Higuerala Real

Valverdede Burguillos

Zafra

La Lapa

Alconera

Burguillosdel Cerro

Brovales

Valuengo

La Bazana

Salvatierra delos Barros

Salvaleón

Barcarrota

Higuerade Vargas

Zahínos

JEREZ DELOS CABALLEROS

Valle deSanta Ana

Valle deMatamoros

Puebla deSancho Pérez

Medina delas Torres

The Southern Mounta in Range

Good Iberian cured ham givefame to this village, the beautifulparish church of Santa Catalinawith its 6 paintings by thebrilliant Luis de Morales is alsoworthy of mention. Thehermitage of Ntra. Sra. DeLoreto has a Gothic doorway.On the way to Zafra we will stopin Valverde de Burguillos withits Megalithic dolmen in thenearby Los Jacintos sierra. Themost interesting building in thevillage is the parish church ofSan Benito Abad, made ofwhitewashed masonry.Puebla de Sancho Pérez is not faraway, at the feet of the Sierra Surand belonging to the Order ofSantiago. The Casa de laEncomienda is interesting, aswell as the 16th century church ofSanta Lucía, built over anotherthat was in Mudéjar style.In the village we can find therenowned Balneario de ElRaposo.The city of Zafra is located at thefeet of the Castelar sierra and its

courtyard is an attractivebullring. Adjacent to this fortressis the parish church of SantaMaría del Castillo (15th century).Other very interesting religiousbuildings are the hermitage ofthe Virgen de los Remedios,patron of Fregenal de la Sierra,and around which the famousfestivity of the “Romería de losGitanos” is held at the end ofOctober. The churches of SantaCatalina and Santa Ana, theconvents of Santa Clara and LaPaz, as well as the JesuitCollege.Of the civil architecture we willmention the 18th century TownHall and the Casa del Tribunalde la Inquisición or Casa de laSangre.Higuera la Real is located on theroute from the province ofHuelva and the Atlantic coast toExtremadura, route establishedthousands of years ago by theTartesos. Here we can see thecelebrated Losa de Capote ofCeltic origin.


78

Plaza Mayor in Fregenal de la Sierra


79

name comes from the supposedTúrdula occupation of the area,known then as “Ségeda”. Duringthe Arab domination it was animportant enclave between thekingdoms of Seville andBadajoz. In the late 14th century itentered the dominions of theDuques de Feria in the figure ofthe first Duke Gómez Suárez deFigueroa. The second Duke ofFeria built in 1437 the Fortress(“Alcázar”) which is now aParador de Turismo declaredHistorical-Artistic Monument in1931.The layout of the streets istypically mediaeval with narrowstreets and buildings huddledround the Fortress. Very close toit are the two squares; the so-called Plaza Grande and PlazaChica.The arcades in the Plaza Grandeare covered with wood andcomposed of buildings that dateback to the 16th to 18th centuries.The “Arquillo del pan” gives

access to the Plaza Chica, withits arcades and the location ofthe old market. Of the religiousbuildings in Zafra the mostremarkable are the churchColegiata de la Candelaria, fromthe mid 16th century, whichcontains in the Remedios chapelten paintings by Zurbarán.The Convent of Santa Clara wasbuilt in 1428 and holds thecarved alabaster monument ofthe Lords of Feria. The Conventof Santa Catalina, with itsMudéjar wooden ceiling anddome, was built in 1500. TheHospital de Santiago has aninteresting Gothic doorway.Zafra has a large number ofnoble mansions dating from the16th to the 18th centuries, amongwhich the most remarkable arethe Casa Grande with itsmagnificent 18th century cloister,or the so-called Casa delMarqués de Solana in imitationneo-Arab style.From 1380, thanks to King Juan I

Parador de Turismo in Zafra

is the village of Alconerarenowned for its marble andlimestone;In the village the mostremarkable building is theparish church of San PedroApóstol with its nave in foursections. The house of theDuques de Feria is stillrecognisable.We continue to Burguillos delCerro, of Visigothic and Araborigin, occupied by the Order ofthe Templars in the early 13th

century and even belonging tothe powerful Baylato de Jerez delos Caballeros. It was alsoknown as Burguillos en Señorío.It belonged to the Lords of Béjarup to the 19th century.The castle is 15th century, built

de Castilla, Zafra has held acattle fair: Feria de Ganado deSan Miguel which is still heldand has become an internationalfair: Feria Internacional deGanado. King Alfonso XII gaveit the title of city in 1883, andsince 1965 it has been declaredNational Historical-ArtisticEnclave.From Zafra we can go to LaLapa at the foot of the sierrawith the same name, this is asmall village of whitewashedhouses where the main buildingis the parish church of SanOnofre. In the nearby mountainsSan Pedro de Alcántara wrotehis “Tratado de la Oración”(Treatise on Prayer).Very near Zafra and on as plain


80

Plaza Chica in Zafra


81

over an older Arab fortress, andnearby was the church of SantaMaría de la Encina (13th centuryMudéjar style).The parish church of San JuanBautista is 18th century, a unionof the two parishes existent inBurguillos, and it has a baroquestyle tower. There are abundantnoble mansions and typicalwhitewashed dwellings.Very near to Jerez de losCaballeros and Burguillos delCerro are the picturesquevillages of Brovales, Valuengoand La Bazana, right in the hills.These are agricultural villagesand are surrounded by attractivereservoirs that are ideal forfishing.From Burguillos del Cerro we goto Salvatierra de los Barros, alsoin the hills and renowned for itspottery and holding annualcontests on this craft. Belongingto the domains of Feria, it has abeautiful Fortress built in the 15th

century by Hernán Gómez deSolís, the village is at its feet onthe slopes of the hill.The parish church is San Blasand has a military aspect with aquadrangular tower. Near thisvillage is the so-called “Pozo dela Nieve” built in the 16th centuryby the lords of Feria anddeclared of Cultural Interest in1990.On the way to Barcarrota we canvisit Salvaleón in the sierra ofMonsalud and which can beseen from a distance due to theruins of its castle, only a fewtowers remain. This was the areawhere the founder of BadajozIbn-Marwuan found refuge.The parish church is SantaMarta, with a magnificent mainaltarpiece. Santa Marta isrenowned for its Iberian pig

products.Barcarrota, between Jerez de losCaballeros and Badajoz, wascalled in the past Villanueva deBarcarrota and Albarcarrota. Its“castle with seven towers” is 14th

century and has been used as abullring since the 19th century.The church of Ntra. Sra. DelSoterraño is 16th century andGothic, the same as the parishchurch of Santiago Apóstol.Every two years a tribute is heldto Hernando de Soto, lieutenantof Pizarro, who intervened in theconquest of Florida, in whichThe Association ofConquistadors of Brandenttonfrom the United States also takespart dressed in 16th centurycostumes.On the way to Almendral youcan visit the beautiful Franciscanconvent of Rocamador, nowrehabilitated, residence of SanPedro de Alcántara for sometime.At the edge of the Sierra Sur isHiguera de Vargas, perhapsfounded by Iván de Vargas inthe late Middle Ages or before1240 by García Pérez de Vargas.There are still some remains ofits 16th century castle or CasaFuerte and nearby is the 16th

century parish church of laConcepción, with Portugueseinfluence in its style.Getting close to Jerez de losCaballeros, we come to Zahínos,renowned for its charcoal madefrom evergreen oak, the typicalcharcoal makers are abundanthere. The countryside is thetypical Mediterranean forestwith an abundance of birds ofprey flying over thick evergreenoak forests.It belonged to the Order of theTemplars in the 13th century and

churches of San Barlolomé andSan Miguel, begin in the 15th

century, in Gothic style withbaroque style towers.There are numerous palaces andnoble mansions in Jerez as wellas beautiful convents andhermitages.The Easter celebrations havebeen declared Feast of RegionalTourist Interest. In May there is arenowned exhibition of Iberiancured ham “Salón del JamónIbérico”. Whitewashed housesaround parish churches withbaroque towers are one of thecharacteristics of this town.On the N-435 road, a fewkilometres from Jerez de losCaballeros, in an impressivemountain landscape, we come toValle de Santa Ana and Valle deMatamoros, two very attractiveneighbouring villages withwhitewashed houses.In Valle de Santa Ana we can seethe church of Santa Ana (16th

century Gothic-Mudéjar). InValle de Matamoros the mostimportant building is also the

there is still one tower left fromthe original Arab fortification.Beside the Town Hall one cansee the parish church of Ntra.Sra. De los Remedios.From Zahínos we go to the maintown in this area; Jerez de losCaballeros, of Phoenician origin,known in Roman times as FamaIulia and during the Araboccupation as Xerixsa, a veryimportant southern enclave inthe post caliphal era.Near the town is the famous“Toriñuelo Dolmen”; someRoman tombs, Visigothicremains, etc. Which prove theancient occupation of Jerez.The Order of the Templars madeit the centre of the Bayliato up tothe 14th century, when it wouldgo under the rule of the Order ofSantiago, in 1525 it was declareda city by King Carlos I.From the Templar times is theFortress, and beside it the parishchurch of Santa María de laEncarnación, probably built overa Visigothic basilica.Other religious buildings are the


82

Castle of Burguillos del Cerro

Iberian Ham


83

church; Ntra. Sra. De laAsunción (16th century.

GASTRONOMYCured hams and pork productsfrom the “pata negra” pig. Wildmushrooms and Asparagus inmost of the area.Typical dishes of Extremaduramade with lamb and kid aremade in all the towns of the area.

CRAFTEmbroidery, pottery, leather andwicker work. Woodcarving.

FEASTSEaster in Jerez de los Caballeros,declared feast of RegionalTourist Interest. “FestivalInernacional de la Sierra” in

Fregenal de la Sierra (10th to 15th

of August), also declared feast ofRegional Tourist Interest. TheRomerías de la Virgen de losRemedios and de la Salud inFregenal de la Sierra are alsoimportant. The very important‘Salón del Jamón Ibérico”(Exhibition of Iberian Ham) inJerez de los Caballeros.

NATURE AND LANSCAPEGreat plains with magnificentMediterranean forests as well ashilly areas. Habitat for a great many birds ofprey and other species that livein this beautiful vegetation.Singular landscape in the wholearea, very special on the slopesof the sierras.

FROM LA RAYA NORTHWARDS


85

ITINERARYBótoa - Villar del Rey - Alburquerque -

La Codosera - San Vicente de Alcántara -

Valencia de Alcántara - La Fontañera -

La Aceña de la Borrega - Las Lanchuelas

- Alcorneo - Jola - Cedillo -

Herrera de Alcántara - Santiago de

Alcántara - Carbajo - Membrío -

Alcántara - Piedras Albas -

Zarza la Mayor - Ceclavín -

Valverde del Fresno

INDICATIONSThe route of La Raya to the northof Extremadura will allow you tosee a surprising variety of landscapes whereevergreen oak and cork treeforests are predominant. You will also visit the towns onthe banks of the rivers Tagus(Tajo) and Gévora.There are numerous prehistoric

dolmens on this route as well asother historical and artistic monuments in thisarea of western Extremadura soclosely linked to Portugal.The food, folklore and historicalheritage are the same on both theSpanish and Portuguese sides ofLa Raya due to centuries ofexchanges.

TOURIST ROUTEVery near Badajoz, on the way toAlburquerque, is the village ofBótoa, where the famous“Romería de la Virgen de Botoa”(festive pilgrimage) is held onthe Sunday after Easter Sunday,tens of thousands of peoplecongregate in this beautiful placeamong the evergreen oak trees.Surrounded by cork trees andgranite rocks and near the Peñadel Aguila Reservoir is Villar delRey, internationally famous for

EX-110

Bótoa

Villar del Rey

AlburquerqueLa Codosera

San Vicentede Alcántara

Valenciade Alcántara

La Fontañera

Las Lanchuelas

AlcorneoJola

Cedillo

Herrerade AlcántaraSantiago

de Alcántara

Carbajo

Membrío

Alcántara

PiedrasAlbas

Zarzala Mayor

Ceclavín

La Aceña de la Borrega

Valverdedel Fresno

EMBALSE DE ALCÁNTARA

From La Raya Northwards

Alburquerque at the edge of theSan Pedro Sierra, with itsimpressive and well preservedcastle; Castillo de Luna from theearly 14th century, presently ayouth residence of the Junta deExtremadura (regionalgovernment). It has animpressive tower; Torre delHomenaje, and mediaeval scenesare represented there in August.The village, which once had awall, still preserves some of theoriginal gateways such as thegateway “de la Villa”. SantaMaría del Mercado is the parishchurch, from the 13th century,rebuilt in the 14th and withRomanesque and Mudéjarelements. The church of SanMateo is 16th-17th century.Houses with granite doorways,pointed doors and streets with atypically mediaeval layout arecharacteristic of the mediaevalquarter.La Codosera is on the riverGévora, surrounded by manysmall villages and a verybeautiful countryside. This

its production of slate forbuilding.The parish church of Ntra. Sra.del Rosario is 16th century andon the outskirts of the village isthe hermitage of Ntra. Sra. de laRivera, where a renowned“romería” (festive pilgrimage) isheld.Continuing north we come to


86

Hermitage in Botoa

Parish church in San Vicente de Alcántara


87

border village is crowned by aninteresting castle next to whichis an image of the Heart of Jesus.The most important building iswithout doubt the magnificenthermitage of Ntra. Sra. deChandevila, very near thevillage, a place of pilgrimageand where every 27th of May oneof the most famous andimportant “romerías’ (festivepilgrimage) in the west ofExtremadura is held.San Vicente de Alcántara issituated between sierras andplains with cork and evergreenoak trees. It is the base of animportant cork industry, whichgives it the title of “cork capitalof Extremadura”.The parish church of San VicenteMártir is in 18th century classicalstyle. The area around thevillage has many dolmens forwhich there are establishedroutes; one can also visit the 14th

century castle Castillo dePiedrabuena, home of the Orderof Alcántara.A few kilometres to the north,

and also in hills with cork andoak trees, is Valencia deAlcántara, on an importantgranite platform. It has amarvellous heritage of perfectlypreserved prehistoric dolmens,easy to visit and well signposted.Making it an obliged visit foranyone interested in prehistoricremains.In the town the impressivechurch of Ntra. Sra. deRocamador (15th-16th century),declared Historical-ArtisticMonument. This was where

Panoramic view of Alburquerque

Parish church of Cedillo

Isabel, the daughter of theCatholic Kings married Manuelel Afortunado, King of Portugalin 1497.The town has one of the mostattractive and best-preservedGothic quarters in Spain withabundant pointed archdoorways. The church of laEncarnación is in Renaissancestyle with a Gothic facade. Onthe 15th of May the traditionalRomeriá de San Isidro (festivepilgrimage), declared of

Regional Tourist Interest, is held.Very near Valencia de Alcántarais “La Raya”, which is theborder with Portugal, and alongit there are several villagesneighbouring with el Alentejo:La Fontañera, La Aceña de laBorrega, Las Lanchuelas,Alcorneo and Jola, in some ofthe most attractive landscape inExtremadura with cork and pinetrees as well as dolmens. Thenearby San Pedro sierra hasbeen declared SpecialPreservation Area.From Valencia de Alcántara,going northwards, we come tothe village of Solana, just beforeCedillo, the most western villagein Extremadura, on the riverTagus which makes an attractiveborder with Portugal from nearAlcántara.In Cedillo the most interestingreligious building is the churchof San Antonio de Padua, fromthe mid 19th century.


88

Popular architecture in Valencia de Alcántara

Drying the cork


89

Herrera de Alcántara is about 5km away from Cedillo, where theriver Tajo flows beautifullythrough the hills making this oneof the most attractive views in LaRaya. The 18th century parishchurch is San Sebastián, made inmasonry and in baroque style.Continuing to the west we cometo Santiago de Alcántara withsome prehistoric paintings in aplace known as the “Cueva delBorrico”. An important buildingis the 15th century church ofNtra. Sra. de la Consolación.On the way to Membrío andAlcántara, we come to Carbajo,at the feet of the Santiago Sierra.It has an interesting 18th centuryBaroque parish church; SantaMarina, built on a Latin crossplan, next to the Main Square.On the way to the San PedroSierra, we come to Membríoalmost on the border (“Raya”)and in the hills. It has aninteresting 18th century Baroqueparish church of Ntra. Sra. deGracia, surrounded bywhitewashed houses.On the banks of the River Tajolies the historic town ofAlcántara, which preservesnumerous historic remains totestify its occupation inprehistoric, Roman and Arabtimes. The establishment of theMilitary Order of San Julián dePereiro, known from then on asOrden de Alcántara, made it avery important town for severalcenturies.Its Roman Bridge, over the RiverTajo, was built in the 2nd centuryAD. By Gaius Iulius Lacer anddedicated to the Emperor Trajan,is more than 200 metres long andis the most significant emblem ofthe town.Another important edifice in the

town is the Convent of SanBenito, built by the Order ofAlcántara over an Arab fortressin the 16th century, with anattractive Gothic cloister.The proto-Gothic church of Ntra.Sra. de Almocóvar was built inthe 13th century and finished inthe 16th. Inside one can see thesepulchre of ComendadorAntonio Bravo and somebeautiful paintings by Luis deMorales.The 17th century church of SanPedro de Alcántara is next to abeautiful monument erected inhonour of this Saint. In the townthere are other palaces,hermitages and convents fromthe 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.After crossing the Roman Bridgeone can see the modernAlcántara Dam and the waters ofits grandiose reservoir, if wecontinue a few kilometres, wecome to Piedras Albas, on theborder with Portugal, with its15th century parish church ofNtra. Sra. de la Romana withtraces of gothic.Continuing to the north we cometo Zarza la Mayor, which wasonce head of the domain of theOrder of Alcántara. Near thevillage is the castle of Peñafiel,built right on the “Raya”(border

Convent of San Benito in Alcántara

with Portugal) in the 15th-16th

century.In the main Square of Zarza isthe old Real Fabrica de Seda(Silk factory), made in the 18th

century by King Fernando VI, aswell as the parish church of SanAndrés (16th century).


90

Church in Zarza la Mayor

Church of San Andrés in Valverde

The 17th century hermitage ofSan Juan is in classical style, andthe Fuente Conceja has somebeautiful pointed granite arches.Ceclavín is not far away, thisvillage is renowned for itssilversmith work and its potteryIt has a magnificent Main Squareand a parish church; laAsunción, known as Ntra. Sra.de los Apóstoles, built in the 15th

– 16th century with an excellentmain altarpiece.From Ceclavín on the way toValverde del Fresno, we will gothrough Cilleros to reachValverde del Fresno, end of thisroute, located right in the GataSierra, one of the last refuges ofthe Iberian lynx.

GASTRONOMYHome made cakes inAlburquerque and Alcántara.Game dishes, partridge and


91

rabbit in Alcántara. Lamb andkid stews in the whole area.Home made cured porkproducts (“embutidos”).

CRAFTCraft in cork in San Vicente deAlcántara. Pottery andsilversmith work in Ceclavín.

FEASTSRomería de San Isidro inValencia de Alcántara, declaredof Regional Tourist interest.Theatre Festival in Alcántara(August). Romería de la Virgende Botoa in May. MediaevalFestival in Alburquerque(August).

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEThe hills and mountains arepredominant in this area, withlarge and excellent forests ofevergreen oak and cork trees.This is an ideal habitat for manybirds of prey that live in theseforests.When the cork is stripped fromthe trees they change the colour

of the landscape, which willcontinue with plains and forestson both sides of “la Raya”. TheSan Pedro Sierra and the riverTajo are the defining elements ofthis landscape with abundantwildlife such as the Imperialeagle, wolf, lynx or the blackstork.

San Isidro in Valencia de Alcántara

Dolmen “El Mellizo”

LA SERENA


93

ITINERARYLa Haba - Magacela - La Coronada -

Campanario - Quintana de la Serena -

La Guarda - Valle de la Serena -

Higuera de la Serena - Zalamea de

la Serena - Peraleda del Zaucejo -

Monterrubio de la Serena - Puerto

Hurraco - Esparragosa de la Serena -

Malpartida de la Serena - Castuera -

Benquerencia de la Serena - La Nava -

Helechal - Almorchón - Cabeza del Buey -

Zarza Capilla - Peñalsordo - Capilla.

INDICATIONSThis route will take us round thearea of La Serena in the southeast of Extremadura, borderingwith the province of Córdoba.This has always been a land ofshepherds and the routebetween the cultures of theCentral Plain and Levante, withconstant exchanges of culture.It is interesting to walk throughthe great plains with their larksflock of sheep, foundation of the

renowned cheese “Torta de laSerena”.This area is also the habitat of alarge number of birds of preyand other species such asbustards and little bustards,there are also thousands ofcranes that are in the great plainsfrom autumn to spring.

TOURIST ROUTEWe will begin the route inVillanueva de la Serena, tocontinue on to La Haba a fewkilometres away, founded in the14th century with the name ofAldehuela by Maestre PérezGallego of the Order ofAlcántara.There are many noble houses inVillanueva with their beautifulfacades and shields; the parishchurch is San Juan Bautista, ona Latin cross plan.From La Haba we can see thecastle of Magacela, whichperhaps gets its name from the

EX-104EX-114

Zarza Capilla

Peñalsordo

Capilla

Cabeza del Buey

Almorchón

Helechal

La Nava

Benquerenciade la Serena

Castuera

Malpartida dela Serena

Esparragosa dela Serena

Puerto HurracoMonterrubiode la Serena

Peraleda del Zaucejo

Zalamea dela Serena

Higuera dela Serena

Valle dela Serena

Quintana de la Serena

La Guarda

Campanario

La Coronada

Magacela

La Haba

Embalse de La Serena

La Serena

Roman times “MagnaCella”(great larder). Nearbythere is a magnificent megalithicdolmen.The castle was built over aRoman building. In side thevillage we can see the hermitageof San Antonio and losRemedios.From Magacela we can see LaCoronada and in this villagethere is a 16th century church;San Bartolomé with the crest ofthe Order of Alcántara.A few kilometres away we cometo Campanario, which would bevery important in the MiddleAges as it belonged to the Orderof Alcántara and was part of the“Real Dehesa de la Serena”. Theparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción is 15th century and nextto it is the Convent of theClarisas Franciscanas.Near the village is the Sanctuaryof Piedraescrita, where onEaster Monday the famousRomería de la Virgen dePiedraescrita is held, feastdeclared of Regional TouristInterest.Quintana de la Serena is locatedon a plain and is renowned forits granite industry. In the villagethere are abundant buildingswith granite facades and withnoble shields on the mansions.The parish church is Ntra. Sra.de los Milagros, 15th century,restored in the 19th century.earby village of La Guarda youcan visit the 15th century churchof Santiago el Mayor with agothic doorway and gable endedfacade.To the south we reach Valle de laSerena, surrounded by theSierras of Guadamez andArrozano, known until the 19th

century as Valle de Zalamea. The

La Serena

94

Feast of Piedraescrita in Campanario

Column in Zalamea

La Serena

95

parish church is la Concepciónor Ntra. Sra. del Valle (16th

century).In Higuera de la Serena, which isnearby, there are interestingexamples of populararchitecture, the mostoutstanding building being theparish church of la PurísimaConcepción, 16th century, built inrough stone.Zalamea de la Serena has somevery interesting archaeologicalremains in its vicinity; dolmensfrom the megalithic era and thefamous oriental style sanctuaryof “Cancho Roano”. In theRoman times Zalamea wascalled Iulipa, and there is agrandiose 25-metre high column,a unique Roman funerarymonument in Spain, declaredHistorical Monument in 1931.The castle, an Arab fortress, stillhas its Torre Alta or DelHomenaje. This was whereAntonio de Nebrija wrote thefirst Grammar of the Spanishlanguage.The parish church of Ntra. Sra.de los Milagros was built in the13th century and reformed in the15th. The old house of PedroCrespo is still standing,protagonist of the play byCalderón de la Barca “El Alcaldede Zalamea”, which isrepresented by the village everyyear in August.To the south is Peraleda delZaucejo, separated from theprovince of Córdoba by the riverZaucejo, this village belonged tothe Order of Alcántara since theMiddle Ages, becoming an“Encomienda”(protectorate).The original church of SanAntonio Abad no longer existsand there is a modern buildingto replace it. Zalamea is

renowned for its game (bothsmall and big).From Peraleda we go on toMonterrubio de la Serena,created in the Middle Ages bythe Order of Alcántara, withsome interesting historical andartistic buildings. Such as theCasa del Cordón (16th century)and the parish church Ntra. Sra.de la Consolación or de laArmentera, gothic, 16th century.To the north. On the way toCastuera we go through PuertoHurraco in the Loro Sierra. Herewe can see the beautifullywhitewashed church Ntra. Sra.de Belén.Near Castuera is Esparragosa dela Serena, also known in the pastas “Esparagosilla” located on aplain. Here we can see the parishchurch of Santa MaríaMagdalena with an interestinggranite doorway.Although Roman remains havebeen found round this village,Malpartida de la Serena wasfounded in the Middle Agesafter the expulsion of the Arabs.The parish church of Ntra. Sra.

Quintana de la Serena

held which is becoming moreimportant each year.On the way from Castuera toCabeza del Buey we come toBenquerencia de la Serena, onthe sierra of the same name andnear the mountain passes of laNava and Mejoral, this villagehas an important castle and theparish church is Ntra. Sra, de laAsunción (15th century).On the same road we come to LaNava, a picturesque andattractive village at the foot ofthe mountains, its main religiousbuilding is the parish church ofCorazón de Jesús.Carrying on a few kilometres wecome to Helechal, near the so-called Tiros Sierra, with someprehistoric paintings and thechurch of San Diego de Alcalá.We will go past the railwaystation of Almorchón; a veryimportant railway junction in

de la Asunción is 16th centuryand on the facade there is thecrest of the Order of Alcántara.Castuera is the most importanttown in this area, famous for itsturrones and cheeses; it islocated near the sierras of Pozónand los Pinos and was the centreof the “Real Dehesa de laSerena”.Among the religious buildingswe will mention the hermitageof San Juan (15th century) andthe parish church of laMagdalena (18th century), with acrest of the Order of Alcántaraover its main entrance. Thehermitage of Santa Ana or thehermitage of Los Mártires aremediaeval.In civil architecture theAudiencia Vieja and el Pósito(both from the early 16th century)are worthy of mention. InSeptember a Sheep Exhibition is

La Serena

96

Parish church of Castuera

La Serena

97

Castle of Benquerenda de la Serena

the past, near this is the splendidCastle;Very near, in the municipal areaof Cabeza del Buey, is thesanctuary of the Virgen de Belén,built by the Templars in the 13th

century, this is where one of themost important “romerías”(festive pilgrimage) in easternExtremadura is held.Located on the slopes of thePedregoso sierra, in the east of LaSerena and very near the Valle delos Pedroches (Córdoba) andCampo de Calatrava (LaMancha), lies Cabeza del Buey,next to the pre-Roman Turobriga.Near the Nava mountain pass wecan visit the remains of someRoman thermal baths.Cabeza del Buey went from thedominion of the Templars to thatof the Order of Alcántara,becoming an important domain,and this is the time which mostof the buildings date from,highlighting the Town Hall, thehouse of Las Valdivias, of theRol, of the Muñoz, theAudiencia, La Casa de la

Encomienda and the Hospital ofSanta Elena.Of the religious buildings wewill highlight the parish churchof Ntra. Sra. de la Armentera orLa Divina Pastora (16th century).Entering the area round theSerena Reservoir we come toZarza Capilla, which hasremains of prehistoric paintingsin its vicinity. This village wasdestroyed in the Civil War and isnow divided into two villages:Zarza Capilla de Arriba (the olddestroyed village) and Zarza

Church in Cabeza del Buey

of Alcántara and the Ducado deBéjar. Its tortuous streets contrastwith the beauty of itswhitewashed houses. TheMudéjar style church; SantiagoApóstol, was built over an oldmosque in the 16th century. TheCastle is the most importantbuilding in the village.

GASTRONOMYIt is a land of magnificentcheeses made with sheep milkwith Designation of Origin(“Denominación de Origen”)“Quesos de la Serena”. Castueramakes excellent turrón (type ofnougat) and liquors. The lambstews are some of the best inExtremadura, the same as theroasts, without forgetting the kiddishes. “Escarapuche de peces”(fish dish), cured pork sausageproducts (“embutidos”) and amagnificent production of home-made cakes. Home made wine(“pitarra”) from Higuera de laSerena and Malpartida.

CRAFTPottery in Cabeza del Buey.Handmade lace in Quintana andZalamea de la Serena. Stone inQuintana de la Serena.

Capilla de Abajo (built up to1955). The inhabitants haverebuilt their old homes and mostof them now live in the housesof their ancestors. The church ofSan Bartolomé was begun in the16th century.Peñalsordo is very close by;founded in the Middle Ages andbelonging to the Order ofAlcántara it was later to becomepart of the Ducado de Osuna.The old Casa de la Encomiendais still standing.At the highest point of thevillage is the old parish of SantaBrígida (16th century).Peñalsordo is famous in thewhole of Extremadura for itsfeast “La Octava del Corpus”declared feast of RegionalTourist Interest. This is held afterthe Corpus Christi and itcommemorates the capture ofthe Castle of Capilla in the 13th

century from the Arabs.Capilla is the last stop on ourroute, located in the past on animportant intersection of routesto the mines of Almadén and thesheep migration of the Mesta inthe 13th century.It belonged to the Order of theTemplars and later to the Order

98

Panoramic view of a typical plain (“dehesa”) in La Serena

La Serena

Octava del Corpus in Peñalsordo

La Serena

99

FEASTSLa Octava del Corpus inPeñalsordo, feast declared ofRegional Tourist Interest.Romería de la Virgen de Belén inCabeza del Buey. Romería de laVirgen de Piedraescrita, EasterMonday in Campanario, feastdeclared of Regional TouristInterest. In Magacela: the typical“Carreras de Gallos” (cockraces) the first Sunday of Lent.Representations of the play ElAlcalde de Zalamea, August inZalamea de la Serena.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEA beautiful contrast between theextense plains, hence the Arabname of Serna – Plain, wherecereals are grown or there arepastures for Merino sheep, andthe sierras where there areevergreen oaks. Multitude ofbirds of prey live in thenumerous sierras and peaks andthere are also migratory birdssuch as cranes in certain parts ofthe area. The reservoir of La Serena,together with Orellana, GarcíaSola and Zújar have made thisregion especially beautiful andan ideal habitat for bustards.

THE CAMPIÑA SUR


101

ITINERARYLlerena - Casas de Reina - Regina -

Reina - Fuente del Arco - Ahillones -

Valverde de Llerena - Berlanga -

Maguilla - Azuaga - Malcocinado -

Granja de Torrehermosa - Retamal -

Campillo de Llerena - Valencia de

las Torres - Llera - Higuera de

Llerena - Usagre - Bienvenida -

Villagarcía de la Torre

INDICATIONS

Located in the south ofExtremadura, bordering withSierra Morena in Andalucia,provinces of Córdoba andSevilla.Cereal granary since Roman andArab times, it became a chosenplace of residence for those whocame through this region.It is a route with a greathistorical and artistic attractionwith magnificent displays of art

especially from the times of theOrder of Santiago, withoutforgetting the Visigothic andRoman eras, such as in Regina.The contrast between theCampiña and Sierra Morena isgreat, as can be seen from someenclaves located in thesouthernmost parts of the route.Do not forget to visit the Mine ofJayona in Fuente del Arco.The nearby Sierra Morena hasleft its mark on the history andarchitecture of this area,called Baeturia in ancient timesand a part of Bética during theRoman occupation.

TOURIST ROUTEOur route will begin in Llerena,called in Arab times Ellerina,and was for centuries the Homeof the Masters of the Order ofSantiago. Dioceses since the 15th

century. From 1478 it was also tobecome the main home of the

Casas de Reina

Regina

Fuente del Arco

Ahillones

Valverde de Llerena

Berlanga

Azuaga

Granja deTorrehermosa

Maguilla

Retamal

Valencia delas Torres

Usagre

Bienvenida

Villagarcíade la Torre

Reina

Campillode Llerena

Higuera de Llerena

Llerena

Malcocinado

Llera

The Campiña Sur

Mudéjar style and not far fromhere are the remains of theRoman Town of Regina in theSierra Morena, where you cansee a magnificent Roman theatrewith a capacity for 1000spectators.From the theatre you can see theruins of a majestic Arab fortress(Alcazaba), in Reina anddeclared Historical-Artisticmonument. And which containsan old Visigothic Basilica.Reina is a marvellous example ofa mountain village withwhitewashed houses from wherewe can contemplate thelandscape of La Campiña andthe beautiful Sierra Morena.Going back down we regain theroad to Fuente del Arco, the lastvillage of Extremadura on theroad through Sierra Morena tothe Guadalquivir valley. Thevillage is made up ofwhitewashed houses and abeautiful Mudéjar stylehermitage; Virgen de Ara. Not farfrom the village is the Mina de la

Santo Oficio (Inquisition), withjurisdiction over almost fivehundred cities.There are abundant andbeautiful examples of bothMudéjar and Baroque style art,of which we could highlight the14th century parish church ofNtra. Sra. de la Granada, thePatio of the Tribunal of theInquisition and the attractivePalacio de Obispo.A special mention must be madeof the Main Square (PlazaMayor), a most beautifularchitectural enclave where oneof the main points is the abovementioned church and thearcade of semicircular arches.It is also interesting to visit thechurch of Santiago, 15th, centurywhere Alonso de Cárdenas, thelast Master of the Order ofAlcántara is buried, the Palaceof Luis de Zapata, currentlyPalace of Justice, in Plateresquestyle and the convent of SantaClara (early 16th century).On the local road to Fuente delArco, almost in the province ofSevilla we come to Casas deReina, with a parish church in

The Campiña Sur

102

Llerena, typical street

Ruins in Reina

The Campiña Sur

103

Jayona, with very beautifullandscape and declared NaturalMonument. From Fuente delArco we go back to Llerena andthen on the N-432 road toBerlanga, first passing throughAhillones and taking the turningto Valverde de Llerena.Ahillones is on the N-432 road; itwas called Ayllón up to the 17th

century. Here we can visit thechurch of Ntra. Sra. de losRemedios, in Baroque style witha beautiful whitewashed facade.The next town before Berlangawill be Valverde de Llerena,probably founded in the 13th

century be the knight of theOrder of Santiago, Rodrigo deValverde. The parish church;Inmaculada Concepción is amagnificent gothic-Mudéjar 16th

century building.Back on the N-432 we come toBerlanga, ancient Romansettlement on the road fromMérida to Córdoba. It hasinteresting examples of religiousarchitecture such as the parish

church of Ntra. Sra. de Gracia,16th century with Renaissanceand Baroque elements, and thehermitage of Santo Domingo(15th century). Berlanga also hasan attractive Recreational Park.On this same ancient Romanroad we come to Azuaga, one ofthe main towns in the area withimportant historical remains. Butbefore Azuaga we will take aturning to visit Maguilla, which

Parish church of Berlanga

Church of the Humilladero in Azuaga

Morena, where there are twocurious pillars more than 15metres high, the Grande and theFuente de la Machacona, as wellas the parish church of SanAntonio Abad.Back on the N-432 road we cometo Granja de Torrehermosa,whose name comes from thebeautiful and impressiveMudéjar tower of the churchPurísima Concepción (early 16th

century). This village wasfounded in the 16th century andalso has two interestinghermitages: Cristo delHumilladero and La Magdalena.The Casino is also an interestingbuilding (neo-Mudéjar style).Leaving the N-432 road wetravel to the north on the Ex –103to reach Retamal de Llerena,between La Serena and LaCampiña, with numerousRoman remains. It was foundedin the 13th century by the Masterof the Order of Santiago PelaiPérez Correa, the church of SanPedro Apóstol (16th century) is

has Visigothic and late Romanremains.In Maguilla, possibly foundedby the Arabs, we can see theparish church of Ntra. Sra. deGracia built in the 18th century inmasonry and brick and over aformer temple.Continuing on the route toAzuaga, which, on the routefrom the Roman Betica toLusitania, will be important forcenturies. It has a Castle;Miramontes of Arab origin.The beautiful Church of Ntra.Sra. de la Consolación is 16th

century with influence of floridGothic and Conopial. Thedoorway of Perdón and theimportant facade tower areinteresting.The church of La Merced isMudéjar style and the Cristo delHumilladero Baroque. Do notforget to visit the magnificentEthnographical Museum. Beforecontinuing our route on N-432we can visit the Malcocinado,picturesque village in the Sierra


104

Belfry of the church in Usagre

The Campiña Sur

Church in Granja de Torrehermosa

interesting.From Retamal we can go toCampillo de Llerena, beside theAgallanes Sierra, village whichhas an important Gothic-Mudéjar style church; SanBartolomé, with a brick mainfacade which is one of the mostbeautiful in the area.

Travelling to the south-west onthe Ex –103 we come to Valenciade las Torres, where we can seethe 15th century parish church ofNtra. Sra. de la Asunción, with aMudéjar style tower and facade.Near Valencia, on the riverMatachel there is a beautifulmediaeval bridge from the times

Church in Retamal

105

hermitage of Cristo de la Piedad,the so-called House of theInquisition and an originalRoman Bridge.Bienvenida has an interestingchurch; Ntra. Sra. de los Angeles- in its main square, with abeautiful tower with one stage inMudéjar style and the other in17th century Baroque. In the samesquare one can see the Casa dela Encomienda of the Order ofSantiago, today the Town Hall.Villagarcía de la Torre will beour last destination, nearLlerena, it has remains of a 16th

century castle. The parishchurch; Ntra. Sra. de Araceli wasbuilt in the 15th-16th century. The16th century Convent of laMerced and the Casa de losGrajeras (both in Baroque style)are also of interest.

GASTRONOMYGame dishes in the whole of thearea and magnificent“embutidos” (cured porksausages) and cured hams.“Cachofro” in Granja deTorrehermosa. Home madecakes in Llerena. Whitedoughnuts in Azuaga. Wines in

when this village belonged tothe Order of Santiago.Llera, of Visigothic origin, was tocome under the control of theOrder of Santiago. Its mostimportant building is the parishchurch of San Sebastián (15th

century), the hermitage of SanBartolomé is 18th century.Higuera de Llerena is only a fewkilometres away, perhapsfounded by the Master of theOrder of Santiago Pelai PérezCorrea in the 13th century. It hasthree interesting religiousbuildings: The parish church ofNtra. Sra. del Valle (16th

century), the interestinghermitage of Cristo delHumilladero, and the church ofSan Isidro.On the Ex –202 we go south tothe village of Usagre, of Túrdaloorigin, known in the past asUrsaria and populated byVisigoths and Arabs, comingunder the jurisdiction of theOrder of Santiago in the 13th

century. Becoming an“Encomienda”.The parish church of Ntra. Sra.de Gracia is 15th century Gothic-Mudéjar, also of interest is the

The Campiña Sur

106

Cranes in Campiña Sur

The Campiña Sur

107

Azuaga. Home-made “pitarra”wine in Granja de Torrehermosa.

CRAFTLeather work and pottery .Embroidery in Llerena andGranja de Torrehermosa.Wrought iron and leather workin Campillo de Llerena. Crochetand basket work in Azuaga.Wood and tinsmith work inGranja de Torrehermosa. Potteryand leather boots in Berlanga.

FEASTSEaster in Llerena and Azuaga.Carnivals are celebrated in thewhole of the area as well as the

festivity of San Isidro. SeptemberFair in Llerena.

NATURE AND LANSCAPESouth eastern limits ofExtremadura, bordering withSierra Morena, where there aregreat plains alternating withundulating terrain, which createsa landscape of wide horizonswith cork and evergreen oakforests and land where cereals,olives or vines are cultivated.The “dehesa” (typical plain inExtremadura) is visited bycranes from autumn to spring,there are also multitudes of birdsof prey.

Park in Berlanga

TO MÉRIDA THROUGHT THE

VEGAS BAJAS DEL GUADIANA


109

ITINERARYMérida - Esparragalejo - La Garrovilla -

Torremayor - Montijo - Valdelacalzada -

Guadiana del Caudillo - Alcazaba -

Novelda del Guadiana - Sagrajas -

Gévora - Pueblonuevo del Guadiana -

Villafranco del Guadiana - Balboa -

Talavera La Real - Guadajira - Lobón -

Puebla de la Calzada - Barbaño -

Arroyo de San Serván - Torremejía

- Calamonte

INDICATIONSAn interesting route round thelands surrounding the Guadianariver, from east to west of centralExtremadura, lands conditionedby the river and with largeextensions of cultivated terrain.Mérida is the most visited townby the tourists due to its worldfamous historical Romanheritage to which have beenadded many other many othercultural and architecturalelements.The Guadiana river is the axis ofthe route and the villages in thisarea live thanks to this river.Some loaded with history and

other created recently and whoselivelihood comes mainly fromagriculture.

TOURIST ROUTEThis interesting route will startin Mérida, Capital of theAutonomous Region ofExtremadura, going through thevillages that make up the VegasBajas of the Guadiana River toend up in Mérida again.On the road to Montijo first wewill go through Esparragalejo,surrounded by evergreen oaksand near the Guadiana river.Village founded in the 15th

century by the Order of Santiagowho in the 16th century built itschurch of Ntra. Sra. de laConcepción, built in rough stoneand cut granite.A few more kilometres on thesame road we take us to LaGarovilla, founded by theArabs in the 13th century andcoming under the jurisdiction ofthe Order of Santiago that samecentury. This village is on thebanks of the Guadiana and isrenowned for its agriculture. Itsparish church of Ntra. Sra. de la

Esparragalejo

La GarrovillaTorremayor

MONTIJO

Puebla dela Calzada

Valdelacalzada

Guadianadel Caudillo

AlcazabaNoveldadel Guadiana

SagrajasGévora

Pueblonuevodel Guadiana

Villafrancodel Guadiana

Guadajira

Talaverala Real Lobón

Barbaño

Arroyo deSan Serván

Torremejía

Calamonte

MÉRIDABalboa

To Mer ida Through The Vegas Bajas de l Guadiana

important Mannerist stylefacade.Not far away is Montijo, in thecentre of the Vegas Bajas delGuadiana, renowned for itsexcellent agricultural products.Near the village importantRoman remains have beenfound such as the villa of TorreÁguila, one must not forgetthat the Roman road fromMérida to Lisbon passedthrough here.There are some interestingbuildings in the village such asthe Town Hall, with its beautifularcades (17th century), and themagnificent 16th century parishchurch of San Pedro, built inGothic-Renaissance style with animpressive tower.The beautiful monastery of theClarisas Descalzas is 17th

century, founded by the Condesde Montijo.From Montijo we can go toTalavera la Real passing throughValdelacalzada, whose namecomes from the proximity of theRoman road (“calzada”) fromMérida to Lisbon. Today it is animportant agricultural townwith magnificent extensions of

Asunción is 15th century and hasa very attractive Plateresquestyle doorway.Torremayor, also of Arab origin,was known in the past as “LaAlguijuela” and has one of themost attractive churches in thearea; the church of Santiago,declared of Historical-Artisticinterest and with a very


110

Church of San Pedro in Montijo

Canoenig in the Guadiana


111

crops. Continuing along theseareas beside the river Guadianawe will reach Talavera la Realand on the way we can seeinteresting agricultural villagesthat were created recently withthe irrigation plans; Guadianadel Caudillo, Alcazaba, Noveldadel Guadiana and Sagrajas,famous for the Battle of Sagrajaswhen the Arabs defeated KingAlfonso VI, that occurred nearby.A pre-Roman treasure was alsofound in the vicinity.Other villages on the river areGévora, Pueblonuevo delGuadiana, Villafranco delGuadiana, with its fish farmsand Fish centre, Balboa andGuadajira, with the whitebuildings so typical of theseNew Villages.The old N-5 road goes throughTalavera la Real, which is only afew kilometres from the Airport.The name “Real” (royal)probably comes from the factthat the sister of the Emperor

Carlos V, Doña Leonor deAustria, died here in 1558.There are two interestingreligious buildings in the village:the parish church of Ntra. Sra.de Gracia, built in the 15th

century with a magnificentRenaissance altarpiece and theconvent of the CarmelitasDescalzas (17th century).On the N-5 road we come toLobón, on a high point of theroad that joined Mérida withBadajoz, perhaps it was theLycon of the Greeks or Romans.The most important historicalbuilding is the 15th centuryparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción, in Gothic-Mudéjarstyle. The so-called “Balcony ofExtremadura” is an interestingviewpoint from which we cancontemplate the land round theGuadiana river.From Lobón on the dualcarriageway, crossing theGuadiana again, we come toPuebla de la Calzada, which like

The Guadiana river

well-preserved Roman bridgewith three arches. In the villageone can see the parish church ofSanta Cruz (16th century).Near Arroyo is the ever moreprosperous Calamonte, nearMérida. Probably of Romanorigin and repopulated in the14th century by the Order ofSantiago, the parish church isNtra. Sra. de la Asunción, early16th century with a beautifulPlateresque doorway.From Calamonte we go on toTorremejía, of mediaeval originand on the N-630 road. In thisvillage we can see some Romansculptures at the base and facadeof the Palace of los Mexia latercalled Becerra de Moscoso.Opposite this palace is the parishchurch of Ntra. Sra. de laConcepción, 16th century withlater reforms.From Torremejía we come to ourlast destination on this route;Mérida, city built on theGuadiana river and founded in25 BC. As Emerita Augusta,capital of the Roman province ofLusitania and one of the mostimportant Roman administrativecentres in the west of thepeninsula. In the 5th century itwas conquered by the Visigothsand thus continued to be animportant cultural and economiccity, this was to continue withthe Arab domination in the 7th

century.In the early 13th century the citywas conquered by the Christiantroops of king Alfonso IX in 1230and it became the home of thepriory of San Marcos de León ofthe order of Santiago.From the early 1980’s it becamethe Capital of the Autonomousregion of Extremadura.The most important monuments

many other villages in this areagets its name from the oldRoman road (“calzada”) whichwent through it, although it wasfounded in the Middle Ages as asettlement on the riverGuadiana.In this growing village one cansee the parish church of Ntra.Sra. de la Encarnación, restoredin the 18th century and thehermitage of la InmaculadaConcepción, of the same era. Thebuilding of Marqués de la Vega(19th century, eclectic style) is alsointeresting).Very near Puebla de la Calzadaand also on the banks of theGuadiana river is Barbaño, whichholds and important “romería”(festive pilgrimage) in May.Continuing on the N-5 road wecome to Arroyo de San Serván,around which many birds ofprey live and we can also seeinteresting prehistoric paintings.On the river Tripero there is a


112

Palace in Torremejías


113

National Roman Art Museum. Mérida

are from the Roman era,declared World Heritage site. Wecan highlight the Theatre,sponsored by Agripa, brother-in-law of Octavius Augustus, in16-15 BC. With a capacity for6,000 spectators. TheAmphitheatre for spectacles withgladiators or wild animals wasopened in 8 BC.Nearby is the Casa delAnfiteatro, built in 3rd to 4th

century with magnificentmosaics displaying Venus andEros and also a grape-pickingscene.Next to the theatre is NationalRoman Art Museum (MuseoNacional de Arte Romano)opened in 1986 and designed bythe architect Rafael Moneo

Vallés. With an eminentlydidactic intention to teach thevisitor about the Roman world.It contains numerous examplesof Roman art and history fromthe best excavations.In the Casa del Mitreo, ancientroman house, we can see the so-called “cosmogony mosaic”,nearby one can visit the Circusor Hippodrome built in the 1st

century AD. With a capacity for30,000 spectators; just next tothis is the aqueduct ; Acueductode San Lázaro or Rabo de Buey,which took water to the area ofthe theatre and amphitheatre.Not far away is theXenodoquium, a Visigothichospital from the time of bishopMausona, and the magnificent

the river Guadiana, 792m long,60 arches, built in 25 BC.From other historical times wecan see the Arab fortress(Alcazaba) from the 9th centurywith an interesting water deposit(aljibe).The Convent of the Order ofSantiago now the presidency ofthe Junta de Extremadura(regional government) and thearchaeological site of “Morería”,and incredible historicalsummary of the city with anecropolis, roads, walls, houses,etc. Which refer to Roman, Araband Visigothic areas andindustries, rescued and preparedfor the delight of the tourist andthe historian alike.The Con-Cathedral of SantaMaría, in the Main Square, wasoriginally from the 13th centuryand was probably built on theside of the ancient cathedral of

Basilica of Santa Eulalia, theremains of this saint wereprobably buried. Inside one cansee excavated areas. Outside isthe famous “hornito” (littleoven) built in honour of themartyr Santa Eulalia, built withstones from an Roman templededicated to Mars.The Acueducto de los Milagros,built to bring water from thereservoir on lake Proserpina inthe 1st century BC. To 3rd centuryAD, is 830 metres long and 25metres high.We can also see in Mérida the so-called Roman bridge over theriver Albarregas, the Arch ofTrajan (15 metres high), and theTemple of Diana, for Imperialdevotion, built in the 1st centuryBC., the Portico del Foro built inthe 1st century AD. with amodern restoration, and themagnificent Roman bridge over


114

Roman theatre in Mérida


115

Santa María de Jerusalén.The Museum of Visigothic Artdisplays and preserves many ofthe Visigothic remains found inMérida and is one of the bestcollections in Spain.Five kilometres from the townwe can visit the Proserpinareservoir and dam built by theRomans and the largest knownin the Mediterranean world.Also the Roman Dam ofCornalvo, near Trujillanos, in theNatural Park of the same name.

GASTRONOMYSpecial lamb stew (“caldereta”).Gazpacho (a sort of coldvegetable soup). Moje de bogas ybarbos (a river fish dish). CuredIberian pork products(“embutidos”) in all of the area.

CRAFTPottery and wicker work inMérida. Wrought iron andcabinet making.

FEASTSHoly Week in Mérida, declaredFeast of Regional TouristInterest. The Classical TheatreFestivals in the Roman Theatreand amphitheatre of Mérida.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEThe banks of the Guadiana riverhave their own type ofvegetation used as a habitat forbirds and otters. This contrasts with theenormous cultivated fieldswhere corn and ricepredominate. There are also typical vineyardsand olive groves with largeextensions of evergreenoak and Mediterranean forests. The stork is the mostcharacteristic bird of this area,there are also cranes and othermigratory birds.

Holy week in Mérida

TO CORNALVO THROUGH

THE VEGAS ALTAS DEL GUADIANA


117

ITINERARYVillanueva de la Serena - Valdivia -

Entrerríos - Gargáligas - Acedera -

Obando - Vegas Altas - Madrigalejo -

Zurbarán - Rena - Villar de Rena -

Don Benito - Ruecas - Hernán Cortés -

Santa Amalia - Medellín - Mengabril -

Valdetorres - Guareña - Cristina - Man-

chita - Oliva de Mérida - La Zarza -

Villagonzalo - Valverde de Mérida -

Don Álvaro - Torrefresneda -

San Pedro de Mérida - Trujillanos -

Mirandilla - Parque Natural de Cornalvo

INDICATIONS

This route will allow us to followthe Guadiana river and the richland on its banks from its birthin the neighbouring areas of LaSerena andLa Siberia to the capital of theregion Mérida. On this route wewill also see the important townsand villages of the Vegas Altas,with an interesting artistic andhistorical heritage and many thatwere created due to theirrigation plans less than fifty

years ago and now have a verybright future.There are beautiful spots allalong the river for swimming orenjoying water activities. Aspecial mention must be made ofthe Natural Park of Cornalvoand Sierra Bermeja, with 10,000hectares and an interesting floraand fauna typical of this regionwith magnificent examples ofMediterranean forest.

TOURIST ROUTEAlmost on the river Guadiana isthe town of Villanueva de laSerena, founded in the 13th

century with the name of“Aldeanueva”.In the 15th century it is grantedthe title of town (“villa”) and in1504 the Priory of the Order ofAlcántara is established there,during the reign of Queen IsabelII it is granted the title of City.Some of its most importantbuildings are the Town Hall (16th

and 18th centuries) and oppositeit is the parish church of Ntra.Sra. de la Asunción (16th century,Classical style) and the

Villanuevade la Serena

Entrerríos

GargáligasAcedera

ObandoVegas AltasMadrigalejo

ZurbaránRena

Villarde Rena

Don Benito

Ruecas

HernánCortésSanta

Amalia

Medellín

MengabrilValdetorres

Guareña

Cristina Manchita

Oliva de MéridaLa Zarza

Villagonzalo

Valverde de Mérida

Don Álvaro

TorrefresnedaSan Pedrode MéridaTrujillanos

Mirandilla

Embalsede Cornalvo Valdivia

Embalse de Alange

To Corna lvo Through The Vegas Al tas Del Guadiana

boar) and objects from the Celticera were found, which can nowbe seen in the ProvincialArchaeological Museum ofCáceres and the NationalArchaeological Museum inMadrid.The parish church is San JuanBautista, from the early 16th

century.In Rena one of the mostinteresting prehistoric idols inExtremadura was found, whichcan be seen in the ProvincialArchaeological Museum inBadajoz. This village is near theRuecas river and its parishchurch; Ntra. Sra. de los Ángeleswas built in the 15th century andmodified later.On the way to Don Benito wewill go through Villar de Rena,founded by the Order of theTemplars in the 13th century and

monument to Pedro de Valdivia,who discovered Chile. TheMonastery of San Benito, alsocalled Palacio Prioral is worthvisiting.Not far from Villanueva is theCastle of Castelnovo or De laEncomienda, near Valdivia.Near Villanueva de la Serenaand also next to the riverGuadiana and dedicated toagriculture with irrigation are acollection of recently foundedvillages which are growing allthe time such as Entreríos,Gargáligas and Yelbes.In Acedera we can see the 16th

century parish church, whichwas badly damaged in theLisbon earthquake (18th century),close by are some other recentvillages Obando, Vegas Altasand Zurbarán.Near to Madrigalejo some“verracos” (sculptures of wild


118

Parish church in Vva. de la Serena


119

belonging to the Count ofMedellín up to the 18th century.Its most important building isthe parish church of San PedroApóstol in 15th century lategothic style.Don Benito was founded in theMiddle Ages but interestingRoman remains have also beenfound here. It is the mostimportant town in this area ofVegas Altas of the Guadianariver, an authentic cultural andcommercial metropolis withimportant historical buildings aswell as being the place whereFEVAL (trade and agriculturefair)is held every year.The most interesting religiousbuilding is in the Main Square;the parish church of SantiagoApóstol, begun in the early 16th

century and finished in 1611, ithas clear influence of theHerrerian style.

The oldest religious building isthe hermitage of San Sebastián ySan Fabián, and there are aseries of other 17th centuryhermitages such as Ntra. Sra. delas Cruces or San Gregorio.In the Main Square there is also avanguardist Cultural Centre,designed by the renownedarchitect Rafael Moneo. And thisis next to the attractive marketbuilding.On our way to Santa Amalia, wewill go through the villages ofRuecas and Hernán Cortés,agricultural villages that arecharacteristically whitewashedand with the most importantbuildings in the main square.Santa Amalia was founded inthe 19th century, during the reignof King Fernando VII, and hasgrown incredibly quickly thanksto its hard-working inhabitants,it has become an important

Parish church in Don Benito

century Renaissance style andunfinished parish church ofSanta Cecilia.On the way to Guareña we willgo through Mengabril with itsinteresting 16th century Gothicparish church of SantaMargarita, built in granite, veryclose to the river Ortiga.If we leave the road to Guareñafor a few kilometres, we can visitValdetorres, also on the river.This is an agricultural villagewith beautiful landscape aroundit and places for fishing. Its mainhistorical building is the 16th

century parish church of Ntra.Sra. de la Asunción.Guareña is famous for its goodwine and olive oil and around itremains from the Roman andlater eras have been discovered,which point to an interestinghistory. Of the buildings ofinterest in this hard-workingvillage is the Town Hall,magnificent and rare example inExtremadura of a Neo-classicalcivil building, located in theMain Square.Very nearby is the parish church

centre for the area. The MainSquare is interesting, with itsparish church; Santa Amalia,built in whitewashed masonry.On the outskirts of the villagethere is a magnificent park withsplendid areas for recreation andfishing.From Santa Amalia we go toMedellín, founded by theRomans on the banks of theGuadiana river, perhaps byQuinto Cecilio Metello in theyear 80 BC. This was where theConquistador of Mexico HernánCortés was born, and we willfind a monument to him in thewell looked after gardens of theMain Square, next to the TownHall. Medellín also has remainsof a Roman Theatre at the foot ofthe majestic Castle, of Araborigin and which has a view ofthe whole area including theGuadiana river and theimportant 18th century bridge.Not far away is the ruins of thechurch of San Martín andSantiago; a magnificent 13th

century building. Inside thevillage one can find the 16th


Town Hall of Guareña

120


121

of Santa María, perhaps one ofthe largest temples inExtremadura, dating from themid 16th century and built byorder of the bishop of PlasenciaVargas de Carvajal, with thetechnical assistance of Gil deOntañón.Very near this village we can seeothers such as Manchita andCristina, the first with its parishchurch Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción, rebuilt in the 15th

century, and in Cristina, on theroute to Oliva de Mérida, wherewe can see the parish church ofSanta Cristina, patron of thevillage.In Oliva de Mérida, the beautifulPeñas Blancas sierra around it isa refuge for multitude of birds ofprey and also has examples ofprehistoric paintings. In theoutskirts of the village theremains of a pre-Roman

settlement have been discovered.In the village one can see the 16th

century parish church of thePurísima Concepción.14 kilometres from Oliva deMérida we come to La Zarza,renowned for its furriers andgood cakes and in the nearbySierra de la Calderita there aresome famous prehistoricpaintings of the same name.This village, near the Guadianariver has two religious buildingsof importance; the 16th centuryparish church of San Martín,built in masonry, and thehermitage of Ntra. Sra. de lasNieves, excellent 18th centuryBaroque.Going back on the N-432 road,we come to Villagonzalo, ofmediaeval origin, establishedafter the Reconquest from theArabs and also on the Guadianariver. Its parish church is Ntra.

Hermitage of La Zarza

In San Pedro de Mérida, locatedwithin the Natural Park ofCornalvo, we will find one of thefew religious buildings inExtremadura with clearHispano-Visigoth style; theparish church of San PedroApóstol (15th century).A few kilometres away isTrujillanos, founded in the 16th

century and surrounded by greatevergreen oak forests. Its parishchurch is Santísima Tranidad(16th century). Here the WaterInterpretation Centre and theNatural Park of Cornalvo arelocated.In Mirandilla, also in theNatural Park, there are someinteresting religious buildingssuch as the parish church ofSanta María Magdalena and thehermitage of San Roque (both16th century), and the House ofthe Marqués de la Encomienda.From Trujillanos, taking aturning on the N-V road, wereach the Parque Natural deCornalvo y Sierra Bermeja, an

Sra. de la Concepción, 16th

century, finished in the 18th

century.Less than 10km away, and aftercrossing the “Badén” of the riverGuadiana we will reach Valverdede Mérida, surrounded by oliveand evergreen oak trees with itsmajestic church; Santa Marina,built in masonry and with abeautiful classical tower anddoorway with Manneristelements.Before continuing to San Pedrode Mérida and from Valverde deMérida we can go to the villageof Don Álvaro, of mediaevalorigin and also on the riverGuadiana, with beautifulriverside landscape and its 15th

century parish church of SantaMaría Magdalena. Back toValverde de Mérida, we will takethe road to San Pedro de Mérida,on the N-V dual carriagewayand going throughTorrefresneda, born, like manyothers here due to the irrigationplans in the recent past.


122

Cornalvo reservoir


123

Magnificent examples of barbels

exceptional place in the region, anatural park of more than 10,000hectares, with a rich flora andfauna where we can see themagnificent Roman hydraulicwork in the reservoir and dam,which supplied water to EmeritaAugusta (Mérida).The natural park has establishedand signposted routes for itsexploration, which will take thevisitors to the most interestingpoints. The centre of the park isthe Cornalvo reservoir, whichstores water for the villagesaround it, the same as in theRoman times.

GASTRONOMYHome-made cakes in DonBenito, Villanueva de la Serena,Guareña and La Zarza. Wines inMengabril, Guareña and DonBenito. Olive oil in Guareña.“Migas” (bread-based dish),“caldereta extremeña” (lambstew) and “Moje de peces” (fishdish) in all of the area. Cheesesin Villanueva de la Serena.

CRAFTLeather work in La Zarza, DonBenito and Guareña, traditionalknife-making in Don Benito.

FEASTS

“La Carrerita” on ResurrectionSunday in Villanueva de laSerena. The Trade Fairs FEVALin DonBenito. San Martín on the10th of November in La Zarza.

NATURE AND LANSCAPEThere are contrasts between theextense corn fields, olive groves,fruit orchards and vineyards andthe magnificent evergreen oakforests and the typical plainswith flocks of sheep.The Guadiana river is the mainprotagonist in the whole areaand conditions the life of thefarmers and shepherds around it. The establishment of largeirrigated farms has benefited them. This is also an excellentterritory for birds and game thatis abundant here. The opportunities for anglingand practising water-sports arealso great. As well as places for fishing.

FROM PLASENCIA TO THE

NATIONAL PARK OF MONFRAGÜE


125

ITINERARYPlasencia - Casas de Millán -

Mirabel - Serradilla - Torrejón el Rubio -

Villarreal de San Carlos -

Parque Nacional de Monfragüe -

Malpartida de Plasencia

INDICATIONSThis route is in the north of theregion of Extremadura, justwhere the northern valleys joinin the town of Plasencia,beginning of our route to theNational Park of Monfragüe,next to the plain of Cáceres-Trujillo and the Alagón valley.This route will allow you to seethe incredible historical andartistic heritage of Plasenciaand some of the nearby villages,combining this with a visit to theMarvellous Natural Park ofMonfragüe, which you can gothrough or stay there in anever-growing offer of lodgings,or camping. The park has severalestablished routes with excellent

information centres in Villarealde San Carlos. Other villages to see on the routeare Jaraicejo, Serrejón, Toril and Casas de Miravete, also in theNatural Park.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route starts in Plasencia, onthe banks of the Jerte river. Eversince its foundation in the 12th

century (1186) by King AlfonsoVIII it has always been astrategic point for thesurrounding areas on the so-called “Ruta de la Plata” (silverroute) – the A-66 dualcarriageway and the N-630 road,which connects the north ofExtremadura to the south.From the 15th century, the townof Plasencia will be the residenceof important noble families inthe region who after centurieswill leave one of the mostimportant artistic and historicalheritages in western Spain.

PLASENCIA

Casas de Millán

Mirabel

Serradilla

Torrejón el Rubio

Villarreal deSan Carlos

Malpartidade Plasencia

PARQUE NATURAL DE MONFRAGÜE

TRUJILLO

From Plasencia To The Nat iona l Park Of Monfragüe

Mayor, feast declared of TouristInterest.Wandering round the streets andalleys of the mediaeval town wewill see many palaces such asthose of Monroy, Dos TorresMirabel, Trejo, Vargas, Carvajal-Girón, la Casa del Dean or therenowned Palacio Episcopal.The main churches of the townare excellent examplesRomanesque, Renaissance andBaroque styles: San Nicolás, SanMartín, San Salvador, and SanPedro.Do not forget to visit theEthnographical Textile Museum“Pérez Enciso”, one of the best inSpain, the Hunting Collection inthe Mirabel Palace, have a lookat the majestic walls of the townand visit the sanctuary of theVirgen del Puerto, with a view ofthe whole town.The route will take us to the

The main religious building isthe Cathedral, or should we sayCathedrals: The Old Cathedral(13th century) in Romanesque-Gothic style, and the New, builtfrom the 16th century on.Inside the Cathedral there is animportant museum- MuseoCatedralicio, as well asmagnificent examplesRomanesque, Gothic,renaissance and Baroquesculpture. The Main Altar pieceis 17th century by GregorioFernández, the Altar de lasReliquias (mid 17th century) andthe Choir seats, master work byRodrigo Alemán (16th century).Outside the Cathedral it wouldbe interesting to visit the oldquarter of Plasencia startingfrom the beautiful Main Square,centre of the town, where everyfirst Monday in August there isthe celebration called Martes


126

Martes Mayor feast in Plasencia


127

Natural Park of Monfragüe,continuing on the N-630 road toCasas del Millán, with itsinteresting 16th century parishchurch dedicated to San Nicolásde Bari. Near the village there isan 18th century hermitage; Ntra.Sra. de Tebas with a 16th centuryimage of the Virgin.From Casas del Millán wecontinue north on the N-630road to visit Mirabel, which hasthe remains of a 13th centurycastle on the “Peña del Acero”rock. In the village there is a 15th

century parish church with somelater additions dedicated to thepatron of Mirabel the Virgen dela Jarreta.Now inside the Natural Park ofMonfragüe, we come toSerradilla with its locallyfamous Baroque Convent ofSanto Cristo, with a beautifulimage of the Cristo de la

Victoria, as well as an excellentcollection of Baroque paintings.The parish church of theAsunción is 16th–17th century.Torrejón el Rubio, locatedbetween the Almonte and theTajo rivers is famous for thedecorated Roman Stelladiscovered there and is also oneof the main gateways to theNational Park of Monfragüe.The parish church is San MiguelArcángel.On the road to Villareal de SanCarlos, where the informationcentres for the Natural Park ofMonfragüe are, we will see theremains of a castle of Araborigin, and at the foot of the hillon which the castle is built thereare many caves with prehistoricpaintings, which indicates thehistorical importance of thisprivileged enclave where we canfind species of animals unique in

Monfragüe, Villarreal de San Carlos

Europe can survive in the Parkthanks to its vegetation.A few kilometres away we willend our route, first stopping inMalpartida de Plasencia, verynear Plasencia, surrounded byevergreen oaks and with a 16th

century parish church San JuanBautista, with a tower on whichone can see the crest of theBishop of Plasencia Gutierrez deVargas Carvajal.

GASTRONOMYCheeses, honey, “bollos dechicharrones” and game dishesin Torrejón el Rubio. “MigasExtremeñas” (bread based dish),“caldereta de cordero” (lambstew) and kid meat dishes in thewhole area. Trout and home-made cakes in Plasencia.

Extremadura and in thepeninsula.Several routes have beenestablished to explore thisunique national park.In Villareal de San Carlos thevisitor can obtain all thenecessary information abut thePark, which is the refuge forspecies that have disappeared inthe rest of Europe and also has avaried and well preserved flora.This is the reign of the griffonvulture, the Egyptian Vultureand the black vulture, theImperial Eagle and the BlackStork and a large amount ofbirds of prey that nest in theforests on the rocky cliffs.The lynx and other speciesalmost extinct in the rest of


128

Panoramic view of the National Park of Monfragüe


129

Griffon vulture in the Park

FEASTS

Martes Mayor in Plasencia (firstTuesday of August) declared ofRegional Tourist Interest. LasCandelas in Torrejón el Rubio.Ntra. Sra. de la Jarrera inMirabel. Cristo de la Victoria inSerradilla.

CRAFTWooden acorns in Torrejón elRubio. Pottery, embroidery, corkand leather work in Plasencia.Lace and typical costumes inMirabel. Woodwork in Villarealde San Carlos.

NATURE AND LANSCAPE

The area is a confluence of midaltitude sierras, a continuation ofthe sierras of Miravete, Mirabel,Serradilla or Corchuela, whichgive the landscape its specialaspect.It is a magnificent example of co-existence of farmers andshepherds inside the NationalPark of Monfragüe. Animportant example ofMediterranean forest (17,582hectares) with multitudes ofspecies of flora and fauna in the confluence of the rivers Tajo and Tiétar.

TO TRUJILLO FROM MONTÁNCHEZ


131

ITINERARYAlcuéscar - Arroyomolinos de

Montánchez - Montánchez - Albalá -

Torre de Santa María - Valdefuentes -

Benquerencia - Torremocha - Botija -

Plasenzuela - Santa Marta de Magasca -

La Cumbre - Contreras - Ruanes -

Salvatierra de Santiago - Zarza de

Montánchez - Valdemorales - Almoharín -

Santa Ana - Ibahernando - Santa Cruz

de la Sierra - Puerto de Santa Cruz -

Villamesías - Abertura - Campo Lugar -

Miajadas - Escurial - Alcollarín - Zorita -

Conquista de la Sierra - Herguijuela -

Madroñera - Garciaz - Aldeacentenera -

Torrecillas de la Tiesa - Jaraicejo - Aldea

de Trujillo - Trujillo.

INDICATIONSThis route goes across theTrujillo-Cáceres plain, north ofthe centre of Extremaduraand the sierras of Montanchezand San Pedro.It is a route of contrasts with

beautiful forests of evergreenoaks and cork trees around rockssierras inhabited by game andbirds of prey. This area has goodfood and popular festivities.The historical and artisticheritage is abundant andadmirable, especially in Trujillo,birth place of Conquistadors.The Spa of Trampal is in anexceptionally beautiful enclave, the same as the Hispano-Visigothic Basilica of Santa Lucíadel Trampal.

TOURIST ROUTEThe first village to visit will beAlcuéscar, near which is one ofthe most important examples ofVisigothic religious art: theHispano-Visigothic Basilica ofSanta Lucía del Trampal.Alcuéscar is only a fewkilometres off the N-630 road atthe edge of the San Pedro Sierra.It also has a late 15th century

Almoharín

ValdemoralesMontánchez

Arroyomolinosde Montánchez

Carmonita

Jaraicejo

TRUJILLO

Aldea de Trujillo Torrecillas de la Tiesa

Madroñera

Herguijuela

Conquista de la Sierra

Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Puerto de Santa Cruz

Villamesías

AberturaAlcollarín

Campo Lugar

Escurial

MIAJADAS

IbahernandoSanta Ana

Zarza de Montánchez

Salvatierra de Santiago

Ruanes

La Cumbre

Santa Marta de Magasca

Plasenzuela

ContrerasBotija

TorremochaBenquerencia

Valdefuentes

Torre de Santa MaríaAlbalá

Garciaz

Aldeacentenera

Zorita

Alcuéscar

To Tru j i l lo From Montanchez

other cured pork products aswell as for its wine. The feast ofCarnival “Jurramachos” is alsointeresting.Continuing on our route wereach Albalá, very near theTrujillo-Cáceres plain. Thisvillage has popular architectureand a religious building ofinterest; the late 15th centurygranite built parish church ofMaría Magdalena.From Albalá we continue toTorre de Santa María, on theplain, which like many villageshere has beautiful whitewashedhouses with granite facades. Theparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción is of interest (16th

century granite construction).Valdefuentes has some remainsof its 16th century Palace of theMarqueses de Valdefuentes.The Baroque parish church ofNtra. Sra. de la Bienvenida is 17th

century. There is also aninteresting 18th century churchbuilt over the old convent of San

parish church of La Asunción.Nearby and at the foot of theMontánchez sierra isArroyomolinos de Montánchezwith good examples of populararchitecture. The parish churchof Ntra. Sra. de la Consolaciónwas built in masonry in the late15th century.We continue to Montánchez,presided by its Castle. Its originis pre-Roman and it was ofstrategic importance during theArab domination and later whenit came under the control of theOrder of Santiago. The Castle,built in the 12th century by theAlmohade Arabs and laterreformed by the Christians, is anideal viewpoint to contemplatethe region.The parish church of San Mateois 18th century, and there aremultitudes of interesting noblehouses and some Baroque stylehermitages, highlighting the onein the castle. Montánchez isfamous for its cured hams and


132

Panoramic view of the Castle of Montánchez


133

Agustín, konwn popularly as“the little Escorial”On the way to Torremocha wetake a turning to Benquerencia,near the river Tamuja with its18th century granite parishchurch of San Pedro Apóstol.The Town Hall and the 17th

century hermitage of the Cristodel Amparo are also interesting.In Torremocha we can see somebuildings that still bear the Crossof Malta on their facade. Theparish church Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción is 16th–17th century andsome of the hermitages areBaroque style.From Torremocha, on theTrujillo-Cáceres plain we cometo Botija, famous for the Iron-Age excavation nearby and thepre-Roman Tamusia. It has a 17th

century parish church; SantaMaría Magdalena.The same as Botija, Plasenzuelahas supplied rich archaeologicaldiscoveries form pre-Romaneras. Its parish church; Ntra. Sra.

de la Asunción is 15th centuryGothic, reformed in the 18th

century.To the north we reach SantaMarta de Magasca, with anattractive Main Square and atypical 16th century “rollo”(pillory). It has an interesting 16th

century parish church; SantaMarta and the well-knownPalacio de Pascualete, whichbelonged to the Condes deRomanones.To the south and of mediaeval

Archaeological excavation in Villasviejas de Botija

Parish church of Almoharín

church; Santiago is 17th century.Outside the village we can seethe 17th century hermitage ofNtra. Sra. de la Estrella.The next stop is Zarza deMontánchez, at the foot of theToledo mountains, with animportant religious building; theparish church of San Miguel,begun in the 16th century andwith Gothic and Renaissanceelements.From Zarza de Montánchez wego to Valdemorales, with itsinteresting 17th century parishchurch of San Andrés.Almoharín is famous for itsproduction of figs, near the SanCristobal Sierra, it was probablyfounded by the Arabs and laterbecame under the control of theOrder of Alcántara. Its parishchurch of El Salvador has amagnificent two-storey gallery,which makes the Main Squareone of the most interesting in thearea.Continuing to the north wereach Robledillo de Trujillo,whose stone tower of the 17th

century parish church of San

origin is La Cumbre, related tothe domains of the Barrantes,whose 16th century palace is stillin the village. There is aninteresting church; Ntra. Sra. dela Asunción (16th and 18th

centuries).We go by Contreras and stop inRuanes, with its 15th centurychurch of La Asunción.Salvatierra de Santiago is nearthe Tamuja river, with Romanand Arab remains. In the MainSquare is the so-called Hospitaldel Peregrino (Pilgrim’s hospital)from the 16th century. The parish


134

Panoramic view of Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Parish church in Ibahernando

Parish church of Zorita


135

Pedro, that can be seen from adistance.In the nearby village of SantaAna, known with this namesince the mid 17th century, theparish church is also dedicatedto Santa Ana and was builtbetween the 16th and 18th

centuries.Leaving Ruanes we come toIbahernando, where interestingRoman and Visigothic remainshave been found. The Basilica ofSanta María, which dates fromthe 7th century, is near the village,and also in the outskirts we can

see the 18th century hermitage ofNtra. Sra. de la Jara.The most outstanding buildingin the village is the beautiful 16th

century church of San JuanBautista, built in stone and witha three arch doorway.Protected by the Sierra we cansee from the road Santa Cruz dela Sierra, a magnificent naturalviewpoint where testimonies ofpre-Roman, Roman and evenVisigothic cultures have beenfound, there are remains of anArab castle, the church of VeraCruz was built in the 16th-17th

Parish church of Miajadas

Pre-Roman settlement in Aldeacentenera

buildings of the area; the parishchurch of Santiago, built in the15th to 16th centuries and finishedin the 19th, the famous architectPedro de Ibarra worked on it. The church of Ntra. Sra. de Belenis 18th century Baroque, began asa hermitage and is now thesecond parish church ofMiajadas. Very near Miajadasand on the EX –102 road isEscurial, with a beautiful Squarebeside the parish church of laAsunción, 16th century graniteconstruction.On the way to Zorita we canstop in Alcollarín, which has acouple of interesting historicaland artistic buildings: the 16th

century church of SantaCatalina and the ruins of thePizarro-Carvajal Palace, also16th century.A few kilometres away, still onthe EX -102 road is Zorita, nearGuadalupe and the Sierra withthe same name. Its 16th centuryparish church is San Pablo, thebaroque 18th century hermitageof Fuensanta, where the imageof the patron of Zorita isvenerated, is also interesting.A few kilometres from Zorita, onthe way to Trujillo, we come toConquista de la Sierra, whichbefore the 17th century was calledZarza de Conquista, it belongedto the Pizarro family and thereare the ruins of the Palace ofHernando Pizarro. The parishchurch of San Lorenzo is 16th

century, built of masonry.Continuing north we come toHerguijeula, famous for its oldoil presses and good wines.Roman and Visigothic remainshave been found here. It wascalled Calzada de Herguijuelaup to the 19th century. The parishchurch of San Bartolomé is 16th

century, we can see the nostalgicruins of an Agustino Convent invery beautiful surroundings.At the foot of the Santa Cruzsierra is the village of Puerto deSanta Cruz, with its 16th centuryparish church of San Bartoloméwith an interesting one-storeygallery. On the way to Miajadaswe come to Villamesías, next tothe N-V dual carriageway andbeside the river Búrdalo, whichwas how the village was calledup to the 17th century. The noblehouse of Mexías is from thefamily of Alonso Mexías and hasthe arms of the family on thefacade. The parish church ofSanto Domingo de Guzmán builtfrom the 16th century in roughstone and granite.We will continue to the village ofAbertura where we can see the16th century parish church of SanJuan Bautista, built in masonry.On the same road we come toCampo Lugar, whose mostimportant building is the parishchurch of Ntra. Sra. de losÁngeles, built in the late 15th to17th centuries.We come to Miajadas, a thrivingagricultural town with theremains of a 13th centurymediaeval castle and one of themost impressive religious


136

Castle of Trujillo


137

century and built of masonry. Inthe village we can also see thePalacio de los Condes, whichbears the shield of the Albafamily.Continuing north we reachMadroñera, in the Trujillo Sierra,which has some interestinghistorical and artistic buildingssuch as the Casa de los SantaCruz with its Renaissancefacade, and the Plaza el Rollo,with a 16th century pillory.The parish church of thePurísima Concepción is 18th

century Baroque. The patron ofthe village is in the hermitage ofVirgen de Soterraña.On the way to Aldeacentenerawe can stop in Garciaz, whichhas roman remains on theoutskirts and a 16th centuryparish church of SantiagoApóstol, declared Historical-Artistic monument since 1977.The hermitage of La Caridad is17th century with an interesting15th century sculpture of theVirgin and Child.Aldeacentenera is on theAlmonte river, founded in theMiddle Ages and near Trujillo.Its main building is the parishchurch of San Bartolomé, begunin the 16th century.

Between Aldeacentenera andTorrecillas de la Tiesa we canfind the pre-Roman village of LaCoraja and the results ofexcavations there can be seen inthe Provincial museum inCáceres. There is an interestingreconstruction of this village inAldeacentenera.Now we come to Torrecillas dela Tiesa, which belonged to thePizarro family from Trujillo. Itsmost attractive building is theparish church of Santa Catalina(16th century).On the N-V dual carriageway wecome to Jaraicejo, near theMiravete mountain pass, knownin Arab times as “Zaferezejo”. Ithas a beautiful 15th centurybridge over the river Almonte,reformed in the 18th century andfrom which we can see otherlater bridges. One made at theend of the 20th century.The Plaza de España is the mostattractive part of the village withits 16th century Town Hall and itsbeautiful arcade and the 16th

century parish church of LaAsunción, built in stone.On the N-V dual carriagewayand before reaching Trujillo wecan stop in Aldea de Trujillowith its 17th century Baroque

Felipe V have been praying.Of the civil architecture we canhighlight the Alcázar de losBejarano, the Altamiranos, theChaves, where the CatholicKings stayed on visiting Trujilloin 1477 and 1479. The Casa delos Orellana (16th century).The Main Square of Trujillo hasbeen the centre of the town forcenturies, here we can admirethe equestrian statue ofFrancisco Pizarro, by theAmerican sculptor CarlosRumsey.Of the palaces in Trujillo we canhighlight those of: Los Duquesde San Carlos, Marquesado dePiedras Albas, Los Marqueses dela Conquista and Juan Pizarrode Orellana.

GASTRONOMYMagnificent ham and wine inMontánchez and Alcuéscar. Figsin Almoharín andArroyomolinos.Cured Iberian pork products(“embutidos”), sheep and goatmilk cheeses, home-made cakesby the nuns. Excellent wines inTrujillo, “migas” (bread baseddish), “Caldereta de carne”(typical meat stew), “frite decerdo” (typical pork dish).

parish church of Ntra. Sra. delRosario. This is one of theaccesses to the Natural Park ofMonfragüe.Trujillo, known in the pre-Roman times as “Turgalium”and “Torgiela” during the Araboccupation. The Arab Edrisi saidthat “it was big and looked like afortress”. It was conquered bythe Christian troops in January1232.The discovery of the Americancontinent and the figure of theFrancisco Pizarro, whodiscovered Perú, has givenTrujillo a major role in History.The Castle, at the top of thetown, is from the Califal Arabera and in it is the Sanctuarydedicated to the patron ofTrujillo La Virgen de la Victoria.Four of the gates of the walledtown are still standing: SanAndrés, Santiago, El Triunfo andLa Coria.Of the churches we can highlightSanta María la Mayor, probablybuilt over a 13th century Arabmosque. Santiago, with a 13th

century image; La Virgen de laCoronada and the Cristo de lasAguilas (16th century). Thechurch of San Martín, where thekings Carlos V, Felipe II and


138

The Chiviri feast in Trujillo

139

Panoramic view of Trujillo

CRAFTGoldsmiths, potters, basketmakers, stone masons,embroidery, leather work andcloth and traditional costumemaking.Blankets made with strips of clothin Montánchez, Arroyomolinosand Aldeacentenera. Lace andembroidery in Alcuéscar andTrujillo. Carpets in Santa Marta deMagasca. Embroidery and lacemaking in Villamesías.Embroidery in Puerto de SantaCruz.

FEASTSEl Chíviri on ResurrectionSunday in Trujillo, declared ofRegional Tourist interest. TheNational Cheese Fair in thePlaza Mayor of Trujillo at the

end of April and beginning ofMay.The Carnival in Montánchezand Alcuéscar. “Fiesta del pan yqueso” in Zarza de Montánchez.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEA beautiful contrast between theplain of Trujillo-Cáceres and theirrigated lands of the Guadianabasin, separated from the landsof the river Tajo be the Sierra ofMontánchez.Evergreen oak and cork forestsgrow on the lands along thisroute, where we can also seeoutbreaks of granite and highsierras, habitat of birds of preyand other species such asbustards, grey falcons and blackwinged kites. Small game isabundant.

Plaza Mayor in Trujillo

THE ALAGÓN VALLEY


141

ITINERARYCoria - Moraleja - La Moheda -

Guijo de Coria - Calzadilla -

Puebla de Argeme - Alagón - Morcillo -

La Aceña - Valdeobispo - Santibáñez El

Alto - Aceituna - Ahigal - Guijo de

Granadilla - Moheda de Granadilla -

Marchagaz - Palomero - Cerezo -

Santa Cruz de Paniagua - Villanueva de

la Sierra - Pozuelo de Zarzón -

Villa del Campo - Guijo de Galisteo -

Montehermoso - Carcaboso - Aldehuela

del Jerte - Galisteo - Holguera - Riolobos

- Torrejoncillo - Portaje - Pescueza -

Cachorrilla - Acehúche - Portezuelo -

Pedroso de Acím - Cañaveral

INDICATIONS

This route is located in the northof the region of Extremadura,to the south of Sierra de Gataand Hurdes and next to the

Natural Park of Monfragüe.Coria is the metropolis of thisarea with its rich historical andartistic heritage that goes back toRoman times.This area has some popularfeasts with a great tradition andfamous in the whole country,there are three recognises asbeing of Regional TouristInterest. The abrupt terrain insome parts make it ideal for birdwatching and examining theflora.There is also an abundance ofpopular architectureintegrated with the landscape.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route, which will take usthrough the fertile lands aroundthe Alagón river, will begin inCoria. A town of historical andcultural interest which datesback to the Roman times, whenit was called “Caurium” and still

Coria

Moraleja

Guijo de CoriaLa Moheda

Calzadilla

Puebla de ArgemeAlagón

Morcillo

La Aceña

Valdeobispo

Santibáñez el Alto Aceituna

AhigalGuijode Granadilla

Mohedade GranadillaMarchagaz

Palomero Cerezo

Santa Cruzde Paniagua

Villanuevade la Sierra

Pozuelode Zarzón

Villa delCampo

MontehermosoGuijo deGalisteo Carcaboso

Aldehueladel Jerte

Galisteo

Holguera

Riolobos

TorrejoncilloPortaje

Pescueza

Cachorrilla

AcehúchePortezuelo Pedroso de Acím

Cañaveral

Embalse de Borbollón

Embalse de Gabriel y Galán

PLASENCIA

EX-109

The Alagón Va l ley I t inerary

popular Fiesta del Toro de SanJuan, declared of RegionalTourist Interest.Moraleja is only a fewkilometres away, on the EX –109road, a village located on thebanks of the river Árrago, at thefoot of the Sierra de Gata. Amagnificent example ofprosperous agricultural village.Its main historical building is theparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laPiedad, in Renaissance stylemasonry work. The Casa de la

displays parts of the originalRoman wall later rebuilt by theArabs.Inside the town there is a veryimportant Cathedral from thelate 15th century dedicated to theAsunción de la Virgen. Themagnificent Plateresquedoorway “El Perdón” isespecially interesting. The 17th

century Palacio Episcopal isalso worth seeing.The special fame of this towncomes from the incredibly


142

Church in Moraleja

The Sanjuanes feast in Coria


143

Las Carantoñas in Acehúche

Encomienda is also interesting.If we continue north we go pastLa Moheda surrounded by olivegroves and Guijo de Coria justpast the Borbollón Reservoir.This village has a 15th-16th

century parish church; SanEsteban, built in cut granite andrough stone.Moving south and going to theEX –109 road we can stop inCalzadilla which has aninteresting hermitage of SantoCristo with a beautiful image ofthe “Cristo de la Agonía” by theItalian artist Lucas Mitata. Theparish church is from the late 15th

century. We go past Coria again, and on theEX –108 road go to Puebla deArgeme, an interesting example ofa village built in the 20th centuryand inhabited by farmers whowork on the irrigated land, thesame can be said of the nextvillage; Alagón. From here wewill go north to Morcillo, anotheragricultural village irrigated by thecanals of the Alagón and ArroyoGrande, with a Renaissance stylechurch; San Andrés, enlarged inthe 18th century.Along the Alagón river we gothrough the village of La Aceñaand then Valdeobispo, which hasa small reservoir to supplyirrigation to the farms in theAlagón area. Its parish church ofSan Pedro Apóstol is 18th centuryand there is also a hermitage ofNtra. Sra. de Valverde, with aRomanesque style image of theVirgin and Child.The we can continue toSantibañez El Bajo, with aparish church; Santiago Apóstolbuilt in the 16th-17th century. Thehermitage of Cristo de la Paz,built in rough stone, is late 19th

century.

Before continuing the route toAhigal, we can stop in Aceituna,with its 16th century parishchurch, built in granite.Ahigal, a little to the north ofSantibañez El Bajo and near theGabriel y Galán Reservoir, has a16th century parish church; LaAsunción, and a 18th centuryhermitage; Santo Cristo de losRemedios.Passing through Guijo deGranadilla, we come to anothervillage on the edge of the Gabriely Galán Reservoir; Mohedas deGranadilla, whose parish churchof San Ildefonso is built ofgranite an rough stone.In Marchagaz, well-known inthe region as a magnificentproducer of olives and olive oil.Its parish church is dedicated toSantiago Apóstol.Nearby is the village ofPalomero, which like Marchagazalso has large extensions of olivegroves.

olive groves and has aRenaissance style, granite builtparish church; San Pedro. On theoutskirts the 16th centuryBaroque hermitage of Cristo isinteresting.Villa del Campo is only about akilometre away and has twointeresting religious buildings:The parish church of LosÁngeles (16th century) and theBaroque hermitage of el Cristowith its beautiful granite ViaCrucis.Very near and on the way toMontehermoso is Guijo deGalisteo, with a 16th -17th centuryparish church in rough stone andgranite dedicated to San Pedro.There is also an interesting 16th

century hermitage – del Cristo.Montehermoso is the next stopon our route, famous amongother things for the colourful hatof its traditional costume, as wellas embroidery. The parishchurch of La Asunción is 16th

century with an 18th centurydoorway.

The most interesting building isthe parish church, San Miguel,built in the 18th century.Cerezo is located between theAlagón river and the SantaBárbara sierra, its main buildingis the 18th century parish churchof San Juan Bautista.On the way to Villanueva de laSierra, we can stop in the villageof Santa Cruz de Paniagua, witha remarkable 17th century parishchurch; Santa María Magdalena,a 16th century church; Salvador,and the Cristo hermitage.Villanueva de la Sierra has amagnificent Main Square, whereapart from the Town Hall onecan see Roman inscriptions onthe stones of one of thebuildings.The highest point in the villageis the location of an interestingparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción, 15th century, built ingranite with a beautiful roundtower.Pozuelo de Zarzón, on the EX–204 road, is surrounded by


144

Gabriel y Galán reservoir


145

On the same road we come toCarcaboso, which has a 16th

century parish church ofSantiago Apóstol, built in roughmasonry and slate.In the nearby Aldehuela delJerte, beside the Alagón river, wewill find an interesting 16th

century parish church of

Santiago Apóstol.Going down south on the EX–108 road we come to thebeautiful village of Galisteo,with 13th century defensive wallsmade with river stones, from theArab Almohade era. Inside thevillage one can see themagnificent Mudéjar apse of theparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción.Continuing south we reachHolguera, near the N-630 road,the ancient “Vía de la Plata”, ithas a 15th century parish church;Santa Magdalena.Before getting to Torrejoncillo wecan see Riolobos, near the riverAlagón and with a 16th centuryRenaissance style parish church;Santa Catalina, built in masonryand slate.Torrejoncillo is on the EX –109road and is famous for its feastdeclared of Regional Touristinterest; “La Encamisá” on thenight from the 7th to the 8th ofDecember. The parish church ofSan Andrés, of Renaissance style

Parish church of Cañaveral

Apse of the Mudéjar church in Galisteo

with a late 15th century gothicdoorway. There are also twohermitages: Cristo and SantaMaría, both from the 17th

century.On the way to Cañaveral we cansee the Arab castle ofMarmionda, next to Portezuelo,which was on the old Romanroad between Caurium (Coria)and Alconetar. The parish churchof Santa María is 16th century.Pedroso de Acim became wellknown for its proximity to theFranciscan Convent of San Pedrode Alcántara, also known as ElPalacar. The church of thevillage is Santa Marina.Our last stop on this route willbe Cañaveral, located right onthe “Vía de la Plata”, the modernN-630. . The church of the village

and a Baroque facade.A few kilometres away we cometo Portaje, whose mostinteresting building is its 16th

century parish church of SanMiguel, made of rough masonryand granite.Very near the river are thevillages of Pescueza andCachorilla, with magnificentnatural spaces where there aregriffon vultures. The parishchurch of Pescueza is SanFrancisco (18th century), built inslate and rough masonry, andthe church of Cachorilla is SanSebastián (16th century).We reach Achúche, renowned forit feast declared of RegionalTourist Interest: “LasCarantoñas”, in January, feastsof San Sebastián. The parishchurch of San Juan Bautista


146

La Encamisá in Torrejoncillo


is Santa Marina. Built in lateGothic style. The hermitages ofSan Roque (16th century) andHumilladero (18th century) arealso interesting.Near Cañaveral is the Baroquesanctuary of Ntra. Sra. deCabezón, patron of the village.Near Cañaveral there is anothervillage; El Arco with a veryinteresting ancient elm.

GASTRONOMYStewed and roast dishes madewith lamb or kid on most of theroute. Honey, pollen, “ajopeces”and cheeses. Salami in Pozuelode Zarzón. Ham in Villanuevade la Sierra and Santa Cruz dePaniagua. Home-made cakes onmost of the route. Wines andolive oils in the area roundMoraleja and Coria.

CRAFTLamps and goldsmith work inTorrejoncillo. Beautifulembroidery, doll making, potteryand typical hats inMontehermoso. Metalwork inCoria. Bronze bells inMontehermoso. Crochet work inPescueza.

FEASTS

The “Toros de San Juan” (bullfeast), 23rd June in Coria, “LaEncamisá” on the 7th ofDecember in Torrejoncillo, bothdeclared of Regional TouristInterest.“Las Carantoñas” on the day ofSan Sebastián in January,Acheúche. Also declared ofRegional Tourist Interest.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEThis route is centred on the riverAlagón, the real fluvial andeconomic protagonist of the area,which gives sustenance to thefarmers who achieve admirableresults.There is a curious contrastbetween the fertile lands aroundthe river and the sierrasreforested with pine, oak andchestnut trees.The Borbollón reservoir is amagnificent place for watersports with an un forgettablelandscape. There are manynatural swimming pools withcrystal-clear waters.

Water sports in Borbollón

147

AROUND CÁCERES


149

ITINERARYCáceres - Valdesalor - Casas de

Don Antonio - Carmonita -

Cordobilla de Lácara - Nava de Santiago

- Aldea del Cano - Rincón de Ballesteros

- Torrequemada - Torreorgaz -

Sierra de Fuentes - Casar de Cáceres -

Santiago del Campo - Monroy - Talaván -

Hinojal - Garrovillas - Mata de Alcántara

- Navas del Madroño - Brozas -

Herreruela - Aliseda - Arroyo de la Luz -

Malpartida de Cáceres.

INDICATIONSThis route goes through theTrujillo-Cáceres plain andinteresting areas on the banks ofthe river Tajo, next to theAlcántara Reservoir. Thegeographical situation

is in the south of the province ofCáceres and north of theprovince of Badajoz.The route has as a centre thetown of Cáceres, World HeritageSite, with its excellent and well-preserved artistic and historicalmonuments. Good museumsand attractive feasts in thesevillages round Cáceres.The gastronomy is rich andvaried with excellent regionaldishes: “caldereta”, “migas” orfish dishes, lamb or kid.There are two interesting spasthat can be visited: Fuentes delTrampal, near Carmonita, andSan Gregorio, near Brozas.

TOURIST ROUTECáceres, the Roman NorbaCaesarina, probably founded by

Malpartidade Cáceres

Arroyo de la Luz

Torrequemada

Casarde Cáceres

ValdesalorTorreorgaz

Sierrade Fuentes

Monroy

Casas deDon Antonio

Santiagodel Campo

Navas delMadroñoBrozas

Herreruela

Garrovillas

Aliseda

Hinojal Talaván

Aldea del Cano

Cordobillade Lácara

Nava de Santiago

CÁCERES

MÉRIDA

PLASENCIA

Carmonita

Mata de Alcántara

Around Cáceres

A-66

A-66

past the Pulpitos tower, andthrough the Arco de la Estrella(Star Arch).There are many building of greatbeauty and historic importance,such as Casa de los ToledoMoctezuma, Godoy Palace,church of Santiago, Casa deCarvajal.The con Cathedral of SantaMaría, of transition Romanesqueto Gothic style and with aRenaissance choir inside.Opposite the Palacio Episcopal(Bishop’s palace) and the Palace

Cayo Norbano Flaco, during theMiddle Ages it was an importantArab defensive enclave until itsconquest in April 1229 by KingAlfonso IX.It has an admirable collection ofhistorical and artisticmonuments, declared WorldHeritage Town (UNESCO). Inthe Main Square one can find theTown Hall, the Ermita de la Paz,the Bujaco Tower, the 12th

century Arab Almohade wallsand the Foro de los Balbos.To enter the historic quarter, go

En torno a Cáceres

150

Bujaco Tower in Cáceres

Holy week in Cáceres

Around Cáceres

151

of Hernando de Ovando. Otherpalaces are Mayoralgo andGolfines de Abajo (16th century).From the Plaza de San Jorge(Saint George’s square), patronof Cáceres, we can see thechurch of San Francisco Javierand the old Jesuit Residence.On the way to the highest pointof the town we can see the Casade los Becerra, the Cáceres-Andrade and the so-called CasaMudéjar, unique in its style inthe town.In and around the Plaza de SanMateo are some buildings ofartistic interest such as Casa delSol, del Aguila, church of SanMateo and the convent of SanPablo.In the Calle Ancha, street whichgoes from San Mateo square tothe Puerta de Mérida (Méridagateway) we can see other veryimportant buildings such asCasa de los Srs. De Torreorgaz,now the Parador de Turismo.The Calle Ancha leads to thePlazuela de Santa Clara with itsConvent of Santa Clara.

Beside the Plaza de San Mateo isanother square; Plaza de laVeletas, with two interestingbuildings: La Casa de lasCigüeñas (House of the Storks),which houses MilitaryGovernment offices today andthe Casa Palacio de los Aljibes,now the Provincial Museum.The Casa de los Caballos(House of the Horses), connectedto the Provincial museum withcontemporary art exhibits.From the Plaza de las Veletas wecan either visit the Barrio de SanAntonio, old Jewish quarter ofthe town, or the Adarve next tothe Plaza Mayor going past thePalace of the Golfines de Arriba.Outside the historic walls we cansee the church of San Juan, theconvent of San Francisco, nowhome of the Cultural InstitutionEl Brocense, the parish church ofEspiritu Santo and theinteresting Sanctuary of Ntra.Sra, de la Montaña, where thepatron of the town is venerated.In another part of the town onecan visit the Centro de

Castle on the N-630 road

village beside the Salor river andwith a large reservoir nearby.Near the village a Romantreasure was discovered, in theremains of a Roman settlement,with 160 denarios from 81 BC.Related to the sertorian wars andthe presence of Quinto CaecilioMetello.Continuing south we come toCasas de Don Antonio, situatedon the low part of the Oretanamountain range, between theMontánchez and the San Pedrosierras. It has an interestingparish church; Nuestra Señorade la Asunción, built in granitein the 15th century and reformedin the 18th, a 16th century “rollo”or pillory and a hermitagededicated to Ntra. Sra. del Pilar.From the N-630 we come toRincón de Ballesteros, the onlynew village on dry land, in theSan Pedro plains.On the way to Mérida we leavethe N-630 road to go toCarmonita, on the Ribera river,with a 16th century church;Magdalena.Nearby is the famous spa –Balneario de Fuentes delTrampal, one of the best inExtremadura, located in realnature, surrounded by cork andevergreen oak trees.Cordibilla de Lácara is located

Interpretación de la Cueva deMaltravieso, beside the caveswhere prehistoric paintings fromthe Paleolithic era have beendiscovered. Apart from theabove-mentioned ProvincialMuseum, there are two othersthat can be visited: Casa Pedrillay Guayasamin Museum, and theMasa Solís Museum.The Holy Week has beendeclared of Regional TouristInterest.Outside Cáceres we can seesome castles; Castillos de laArguijuelas de Abajo and deArriba on the N-630 road toMérida. On the road to Badajozone can see another castle;Castillo de las Seguras.From Cáceres, on the N-630 roadwe come to Valdesalor, modern

Around Cáceres

152

Spa in Fuentes del Trampal

Dolmen of Lácara

"Torta del Casar"

153

in the San Pedro Sierra, with its16th century parish church of SanPedro, built in granite, and ahermitage dedicated to the saintsJusto y Pastor, known popularlyas “Los Santitos”.From Cordobilla de Lácara wecan go to Nava de Santiago,surrounded by olive, cork andevergreen oak trees, around thisvillage there are abundantMegalithic remains such assepulcros de Carmonita,Lauriana, Cueva del Monje orCasa de la Moneda, Lácara orCueva del Moro, this latter beinga Neolithic settlement.The village belonged to theOrder of Santiago after beingtaken from the Arabs in the mid13th century, buildings of interestare the Palace of the Ovando,later Marqués de Valdeoro and

the parish church of Ntra. Sra.de la Asunción (16th century).Near the village are the remainsof a Franciscan Conventfounded in 1551, ruined after thewar of independence.From here we go to Aldea delCano , on the N-630 road, 22kmfrom Cáceres, surrounded bylarge granite boulders andcrossed by the river Ayuelacreating beautiful locations forfishing. This is an eminentlyagricultural village and itsbuildings of interest are theparish church of San Martín (16th

century) and the hermitage ofNtra. Sra. de los Retablos,rebuilt in 1818. The next villageis Torrequemada, with lots ofcork and oak trees. It has aparish church; San Esteban, andon the outskirts the hermitage of

Church of Aldea del Cano

Almonte and Tamuja rivers

Around Cáceres

abrupt terrain surrounded bycork and evergreen oak trees. Itsparish church of Santiago, builtin stone in the 16th century andreformed in the 18th.The hermitage of La Soledad,built of stone and slate is 17th

century, and the hermitage ofSan Marcos is 18th century.Monroy, on the Trujillo-Cáceresplain is also on the banks of theriver Almonte surrounded bytypical and beautifulMediterranean forest landscapewith magnificent wildlife.Important archaeological remainshave been found round Monroyin the Roman Villa of LasAguzaderas. The Treasure ofMonroy, from the Bronze Age isin the Provincial Museum inCáceres. The 15th-16th centuryCastle is in the Main Square. Onthe outskirts one can see the 16th

century parish church of SantaCatalina. Talaván is not far awayand its 15th century parish churchof Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción builtin granite and with a well-madechoir from 1588.In Hinojal, near the river Tajo,we can visit the 16th centuryparish church of Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción, which has two

Nuestra Señora del Salor.In the nearby Torreorgaz theparish temple of San Pedro andthe hermitages of ElHumilladero and La Soledad areof interest. There are also theremains of noble houses.Sierra de Fuentes is located onthe eastern slope of a sierra. Ithas a 16th century parish churchof La Asunción, built of roughstone and granite and thehermitages of Cristo del Riscoand San Isidro (both18th

century). In this village there is ahospital for birds of prey.Casar de Cáceres is famous forits milk and cheese production.Located 10km form Cáceres andwith an interesting 16th centuryparish church built over an older14th century Gothic temple. Builtin granite and designed byPedro Ibarra and other masters.There are also four beautifulhermitages in Casar de Cáceres,one in each corner of the village:Santiago, San Bartolomé,Mártires and Soledad.We continue on our route toSantiago del Campo, on thebanks of the Almonte river andin the areas known as the“Riveros del río Tajo” on an

Around Cáceres

154

15th and 16th century Castle in Monroy

Around Cáceres

155

interesting niches inside withfrescos that represent religiousand fantastic themes.On the Trujillo-Cáceres plain andsurrounded by cork andevergreen oak trees is the villageof Garovillas, which has somedolmens nearby and a RomanVilla next to the hermitage ofSanta Marina.Among its numerous historicaland artistic buildings we canhighlight the parish church ofSan Pedro, one of the largest inthe Coria-Cáceres dioceses(gothic early 15th century), andthe church of Santa María, builtbetween 1494 and 1520.The Convent of San Antonio dePadua was founded in 1476 bythe Conde de Alba de Liste, andthe hermitage of Ntra. Sra. deAltagracia, patron of Garovillasis 15th century with reforms fromthe 16th and 17th centuries.The quarter of Castillejos is amagnificent example of populararchitecture, one of the mostinteresting in Extremadura. TheMain Square is 16th-17th century,totally arcaded and has beendeclared a National Historical-Artistic Monument.From Garovillas we continue toMata de Alcántara, with its 16th

century parish church of Ntra.Sra. de Gracia, built in stone.The next village is Navas delMadroño on the Trujillo-Cáceresplain, which has interestingexamples of popular architecturebuilt in masonry, whitewashedfacades and monumentalchimneys.In the Plaza Mayor is the 17th

century Town Hall with itsarcade, and nearby is the parishchurch of Ntra. Sra. de la O builtin 1738.Brozas, village of the Order of

Alcántara is one of the mostimportant villages in theprovince of Cáceres. A centre forthe nobility of the region. Thereare many palaces and religiousbuildings. Near the village is thespa Balneario de San Gregorio,famous in the region andsurrounded by a beautifulevergreen oak forest.Of the monumental architectureof the village we can highlightthe so-called Fortaleza, at thehighest point of the village withits 16th century “torre dehomenaje” tower.The Palaces of FloresMontenegro, Paredes and LosArgüello.Of the religious buildings we canhighlight the parish church oflos Santos Mártires (15th-16th

Navas del Madroño, Parish Church

Church of Sta. María la Mayor in Brozas

in the late 15th – early 16th

century. Inside there is aremarkable Altar Piece with 20paintings by the artist fromExtremadura Luis de Morales,finished around 1650. On theMonday after Holy Week there isa feast declared of RegionalTourist interest -“Carreras”;horse races with manyparticipants.Near Malpartida de Cáceres isthe Natural Monument of theBarruecos. The village wasfounded in the 13th century andaround it there are manyexamples of Megalithicconstructions (La Hijadilla, nearthe Salor river), Roman and Arabremains.The 18th century wool washingcomplex of Los Barruecos istoday the famous and popularMuseo Vostell Malpartida, withexhibits of the late German artistand other importantvanguardists. In Malpartidathere is a centre for informationabout the “trashumancia”(annual sheep migration) andthe Natural Monument of losBarruecos.

century) and the parish churchof Santa María la Mayor,magnificent masterpiece by thearchitect Pedro de Ibarra, builtentirely in cut granite withGothic and Renaissanceelements.The 16th century hermitage of elBuen Jesús, near the ruins of theConvent of Ntra. Sra. de la Luz.Herreruela, located between theSan Pedro Sierra and the riverSalor, belonged to the Order ofAlcántara. Aliseda is 30km fromCáceres, in the San Pedro Sierra,an extremely valuable enclave ofMediterranean forest in astrategic location betweenCáceres and Portugal.Its parish church of Ntra. Sra. dela Asunción, 17th century graniteconstruction. On the outskirtsanother church - Ntra. Sra. delCampo.The famous Aliseda Treasurewas found in a tomb here in 1920and dates from 625 BC.Arroyo de la Luz is 22km fromCáceres. Ancient Iberiansepulchres and tombstones havebeen found here. The parishchurch of la Asunción was built

Around Cáceres

156

Parish Church in Arroyo de la Luz

Around Cáceres

157

“Las Carreras” in Arroyo de la Luz

GASTRONOMY

Tench prepared in theExtremadura style and manyothers, from spring to August inmost of the north of the route.Cured pork products and Hamson the whole route.“Migas” (bread based dish) and“caldereta extremeña” (typicalstew) made of lamb or kid on thewhole route. Excellent sheepmilk cheeses in Casar deCáceres, known popularly as“Tortas” and which have theirown Designation of Origin.Cakes made by the nuns inCáceres and Garovillas.

CRAFTPottery workshops in Arroyo dela Luz. Leather and cabinetmaking work in Brozas. Potteryin Cáceres.

FEASTSHoly Week in Cáceres has beendeclared of Regional TouristInterest.

In spring the Womad festival isvery popular, the Feast of SaintGeorge on the 23rd of April. Atthe beginning of summer theMediaeval Theatre Festival inthe old quarter of Cáceres.Fiesta del Día de la Tenca (Feastof the day of the tench) indifferent villages of the north ofCáceres.Las Carreras (the races) InArroyo de la Luz on EasterMonday, declared of RegionalTourist Interest.

NATURE AND LANSCAPEImportant forests rounds theriver Tajo and its afluents. Plainsand sierras of medium height.Outbreaks of granite on theplain, an excellent habitat forbustards, cranes, Montague’sharriers, etc.The typical plains ofExtremadura are sprinkled withcork tree forests and evergreenoaks, without forgetting theimportant olive groves andvineyards.

CAMPO ARAÑUELO


159

ITINERARYNavalmoral de la Mata - Peraleda de

la Mata - El Gordo - Berrocalejo -

Valdehúncar - Millanes - Belvís de

Monroy - Valdecañas de Tajo - Casas de

Miravete - Romangordo - Higuera -

Almaraz - Saucedilla - Casatejada -

Serrejón - Majadas - Talayuela -

Santa María de las Lomas - Tiétar del

Caudillo - Rosalejo - Barquilla de Pinares

- Pueblonuevo de Miramontes

INDICATIONS

Campo Arañuelo is located inthe north east of Extremadura,a natural entrance to the regionfrom Madrid and Toledo on theA-5 dual carriageway.It has as borders La Vera in thenorth, the Ibores on the south-west and the Natural Park ofMonfragüe on the south west. Itsmost important historical andartistic heritage is in its religious

buildings although there aresome interesting civilian andmilitary constructions from theMiddle Ages when the MilitaryOrders were in command of theregion and important nobledomains were created whichpersisted in history untilrelatively recently.It is a land of the typicalMediterranean plain (dehesa)where low hills and some sierrasare mixed with grand evergreenoaks and cork trees at the shadeof some hills where abundantbirds of prey live.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route around CampoArañuelo will begin inNavalmoral de la Mata, capitaland main town in the area. Itslocation is on the dualcarriageway that goes fromMadrid to Lisbon crossingExtremadura from north-westto west.

El Gordo

Berrocalejo

Pueblonuevo de Miramontes

TALAVERADE LA REINANavalmoral

de la Mata

Peraledade la Mata

Belvísde Monroy

Valdehúncar

Millanes

Valdecañasde Tajo

Casas de Miravete

Romangordo

Higuera

Almaraz

Saucedilla

Casatejada

Serrejón

Majadas

Talayuela

Santa Maríade las Lomas

Tiétar del Caudillo

Barquilla de Pinares

TRUJILLO

Rosalejo

Campo Arañuelo

Paeraleda de la Mata, very nearto the Valdecañas Reservoir fedfrom the Tajo river. This villagehas two interesting religiousbuildings: the parish church ofSantiago (Renaissance style,built in masonry) and thehermitage of Cristo (Baroque,18th century).A little to the east, after goingalong the dual carriageway afew kilometres and travelling onthe edge of the ValdecañasReservoir, we reach El Gordo,with its interesting 16th centurychurch which has a beautiful VíaCrucis made in TalaveraCeramics. Berrocalejo, on thebanks of the Tajo river andalmost on the border with theprovince of Toledo, has aninteresting 16th century granitechurch. The hermitage of Ntra.Sra. de los Remedios is 18th

century.To the west and continuinground the reservoir, we come toValdehúncar, surrounded bymagnificent evergreen oaks andoutbreaks of granite boulders. Ithas a 16th century parish church.There are many white stork nestsin the village.Millanes, next to Navalmoraland the dual carriageway, hassome typical buildings built ofstone such as the parish churchof San Francisco de Asís.Continuing south we come toBelvís de Monroy, where theMayorazgo de Belvís wasfounded in 1329, and wouldacquire great importance. Themain building is the Castle aresult of building and rebuildingfrom the 13th to the 17th century.The parish church of Santiagowas built in the 15th centuryNear Belvís we can see theConvent of San Francisco from

The origin of this town ismediaeval when it was probablya small village on the road fromPlasencia to Talavera de la Reina.Its expansion is to begin in the17th and 18th centuries andespecially in the 19th when therailway will turn it into animportant junction.In the town we can highlight theparish church of San Andrés, inRenaissance style and built ingranite and rough stone, perhapsover an older temple. On theoutskirts we can find the old 14th

century church of Santa Maríade la Mata, which is unrestored.The 17th century hermitage ofNtra. Sra. de la Soledad(Baroque style, built of masonry)is also interesting.Navalmoral de la Mata is animportant town in theagricultural sector ofExtremadura, its Carnival hasbeen declared of RegionalTourist Interest.From Navalmoral we go to

Campo Arañuelo

160

S. Andrés Church in Navalmoral

Campo Arañuelo

161

Panoramic view of Navalmoral de la Mata

Plaza Mayor of Peraleda de la Mata

where the first Franciscans leftfor the New World in the 16th

century.We cross the Tajo river andpassing by Valdemoreno, wecome to Valdecañas del Tajo,near the beautiful and sportingValdecañas Reservoir. There ismagnificent countryside roundthe village, places such as theGarganta de Descuernacabras,nature reserve and habitat for

numerous birds. Inside thevillage there are typicalconstructions and a 17th centuryparish church.Continuing on the old N-V wewill come to the beautiful andstrategically placed Casas deMiravete, at the foot of theMiravete Mountain Pass,located between the rivers Tajoand Tiétar entrance to theNatural Park of Monfragüe. Its

evergreen oak trees in theCampillo and Frontal sierra, ithas a parish church builtbetween the 16th and 18th

centuries.At the edge of the Puerto deMiravete Sierra, Centre of theDominion of Blasco Gómez deAlmaraz, we come to Almaraz, ithad a 15th century castle of whichonly the tower remains today. Inthe village we can see the 16th

century parish church of SanAndrés, and nearby a 16th

18th century parish church isdedicated to Ntra. Sra. de laAsunción.We go back, and on the way toAlmaraz we can see the villagesof Romangordo and Higuera.Romangordo, bordering with theregion of Villuercas, has someinteresting examples of populararchitecture and a 16th centuryparish church; Santa Catalina. Alittle to the east is Higuera andCasas de Miravete. Higuera issurrounded by cork and

Campo Arañuelo

162

Church in Valdecañas del Tajo

Castle of Belvís de Monroy

Campo Arañuelo

163

century “rollo” (pillory).Not far away we can admire amagnificent granite bridge overthe Tajo river ,which bears thecrest of Emperor Carlos V.From Almaraz going north wecome to Saucedilla, with itsattractive Square, near whichone can see the large 16th centurygranite built church of San JuanBautista.In Casatejada, in the fertilelands beside the Tiétar river,

there is an important religiousbuilding that was declaredNational Monument in 1965; theparish church of San Pedro Ad-Vincula, built in the late 15th

century. The hermitage of Ntra.Sra. de la Soledad, inside thevillage, is from the 16th centuryand holds an interesting Baroquealtarpiece.From Casatejada we can seeSerrejón, surrounded byevergreen oaks, on the edge of

Tobacco plantation

Almaraz, Church of San Andrés

Santa María de las Lomas,Tiétar del Caudillo, Rosalejo,Barquilla de Pinares andPueblonuevo de Miramontes.Villages located on the borderwith the region of CampoArañuelo and also very near tothe province of Toledo, with veryattractive landscape and on theTiétar river.

GASTRONOMYStews and roasts of lamb andkid. “Cocido Extremeño” andGazpacho. Veal kidneys inNavalmoral de la Mata. Curedpork products in Peraleda de laMata, Serrejón, Talayuela,Valdehúncar and Casatejada.Cured hams in Navalmoral de laMata and Saucedilla.

the Natural Park of Monfragüeand near which some interestingprehistoric paintings have beenfound. Its parish church of SanIldefonso is 16th century.Majadas is also in the fertile“vegas” beside the Tiétar riverand its main artistic building isthe 16th century parish church delSalvador.Crossing the Tiétar river, enteringthe edge of the Vera region, wecome to Talayuela, an importantagricultural centre producingtobacco, also in the “vega” of theTiétar river. Inside the villagethere is an interesting 16th centurychurch; San Martín, with abeautiful sun clock on its facade.Finally going Northwest we canvisit the picturesque villages of

Campo Arañuelo

Carnival in Navalmoral de la Mata

Valdecañas Reservoir from the dam

164

Por e l Campo Arañuelo

Landscape in Campo Arañuelo

165

Carnival in Navalmoral

CRAFTCeramics, wrought iron workand pottery in Casatejada.Woodwork in Navalmoral de laMata and Casatejada.Shepherds’ craft in Talayuela,Valdehúncar and Peraleda de laMata. Textile works inNavalmoral de la Mata andSaucedilla.

FEASTSSan Blas in Romangordo,Casatejada and Valdehúncar delTajo. The famous Carnival-Carnavales del Campo Arañueloin Navalmoral de la Mata,declared of Regional TouristInterest.Fiesta del Ángel in Valdehúncar,January.Romería de Ntra. Sra. deRocamador, on the first Sundayin May, Almaraz.Letting loose bulls and calves inRosalejo, August andSeptember.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEThe terrain of Campo Arañuelois relatively flat so the typical“dehesa” where one can seeenormous evergreen oak andcork trees is predominant, aswell as the lands by the riverwith their interesting fauna.There is an abundance of birdsof prey and hunting species.Spring here is an explosion of

colour, in the plains, on the hillsand the riverbanks, and aroundthe reservoir.The Reservoir of Valdecañasconditions the landscape onmost of this route, and it is afavourite area for water birdsand some migratory species,which stay here for a long periodin the year. As an area for fishingit is one of the best in NortheastExtremadura.In the south west of this area isthe Natural Park of Monfragüe,a natural paradise which someof the villages on our route formpart of.

THE RAYA SUR TO BADAJOZ


167

ITINERARYOliva de la Frontera - Valencia del

Mombuey - Villanueva del Fresno -

Cheles - Alconchel - Táliga - Olivenza -

Valverde de Leganés - San Benito de

la Contienda - Villarreal - San Rafael de

Olivenza - San Francisco de Olivenza -

San Jorge de Alor - Badajoz

INDICATIONSThe “Raya Sur” or border withPortugal is in the south west ofExtremadura; lands in the province of Badajozbordering with the PortugueseAlentejo. Tierra de Barros and Tierra Surare also on the border. Castlesand whitewashed villages mergewith the landscape as an

indication that we are in thesouth of Spain.The typical popular architectureof the white villages ofExtremadura is present in thisborder region.The artistic and historicalheritage is a magnificentcombination of twoneighbouring cultures:Portuguese and Spanish, with anextraordinary display ofreligious, civil and militarybuildings. We must highlightOlivenza, in the area of Badajoz,with brilliant examples ofPortuguese Manuelino style.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route on the “Raya” (borderbetween Spain and Portugal)

Oliva dela Frontera

Valenciade Mombuey

Villanuevadel Fresno

ChelesAlconchel

Táliga

OLIVENZA Valverde deLeganés

San Benito dela Contienda

San Rafaelde Olivenza

San Franciscode Olivenza

San Jorgede Alor

BADAJOZ

Villarreal

EX-107

The Raya Sur To Badajoz

near its Main Square, next to thewell-known “Paseo de lasPalmeras” and the hermitage.This square is used in Easter fora recreation of the Passion ofChrist done by local actors,declared of Regional TouristInterest. Valencia de Mombuey, popularlycalled “Valencita” is twokilometres from the region ofAlentejo in Portugal and alsoclose to the province of Huelva.

will go from Oliva de la Fronterato Badajoz, capital of theprovince. The origins of Olivade la Frontera are pre-Roman. Ithas remains from other eras aswell. The magnificent hermitageof Ntra. Sra. de Gracia, locatedat the highest point of thevillage, is 15th century with abeautiful Baroque 18th centurytower and a Gothic doorway.The parish church of San Marcosis 18th century Neo-classical style,


168

Church in Villanueva del Fresno

Hermitage of Ntra. Sra. de la Gracia in Oliva


169

We can highlight in the villagethe Main Square, the Town Halland the whitewashed 16th-17th

century parish church of laPurísima Concepción. The oldPlace of the Valdeterrazo is stillstanding.Villanueva del Fresno issurrounded by evergreen oakwoods and charcoal-makinginstallations as well as largeextensions for breeding Iberianpigs. This village is also near thePortuguese border and thebeautiful town of Mourao.Founded by the Order of theTemplars in the 13th century,some prehistoric and Romanremains have been found aroundit, there are some dolmens andthe ruins of a mediaeval castle,destroyed in the 17th century.In its picturesque and beautifulMain Square is the Neo classicalstyle whitewashed parish churchof la Inmaculada Concepción,rebuilt in the 18th century.Its Town Hall has an attractivearcade and the Main Square hasa picturesque bandstand. Thehermitage near the square isdedicated to Cristo de laExpiración.Cheles is located in the areawhere the Guadiana river createsa natural border betweenExtremadura and the Alentejo,where there are still remains ofthe Casa Palacio de los Condesde Vía Manuel highlighting thearchway or passage whichjoined the palace to its gardens.At the highest point of thevillage is the 18th century parishchurch of the PurísimaConcepción, with Portuguesemarble inside.Alconchel is only a fewkilometres from the “Raya”,surrounded by whitewashed

houses stands its impressiveCastle of Miraflores, one of themost important in Extremadura,also known as “Coluche” ofArab origin.This mediaeval village wasoccupied by King Alfonso I ofPortugal, later taken over by theOrder of the Templars andfinally coming under the controlof the Order of Alcántara andseveral noble domains. The

Parish Church of Cheles

Door of the Town Hall of Olivenza

II, King of Portugal. Some of theoriginal gateways of the wall arestill standing.Of the noble buildings we canhighlight the Palacio de losDuques de Cadaval, inPortuguese Manuelino style nowthe Town Hall, the Panadería delRey, now the “GonzálezSantana” MunicipalEthnographic Museum one of thebest in Extremadura.The churches of Santa María delCastillo (16th-17th century) andthe incomparable Magdalenachurch (16th century) in

Gothic-Renaissance 16th centuryparish church is Ntra. Sra. de losRemedios. The Main Squarehouses the Town Hall with itsattractive lamps. There is also abeautiful mediaeval bridge overthe river Alconchel. Situated onthe slopes of a small sierra notfar from Alconchel is the villageof Táliga, which belonged toPortugal up to 1801. The parishchurch of la Asunción showsclearly the Portuguese influence.The whitewashed village issurrounded by evergreen oakand cork trees.In this same landscape we cometo Olivenza, founded by theOrder of the Templars in the 13th

century, and as has happenedwith other Spanish andPortuguese villages in the courseof the centuries, has belonged toone country and the other in thecourse of the centuries.This town has a valuablehistorical and artistic heritage ofcivil, religious and militaryarchitecture of the most refinedand beautiful Spanish andPortuguese styles.The Defensive Walls and the 15th

century Castle with itsmagnificent Tower “torre delhomenaje” were made by Juan


170

Alconchel, Castle of Miraflores

Church in Valverde de Leganés


171

Portuguese Manuelino style.These are only two examples ofthe brilliant religious buildingsin the town. There are numerousexamples of popular architecturein Neo-Mudéjar and NeoClassical style with beautiful andtypical corners. Ten kilometresaway is the famous Puente deAjuda Bridge over the GuadianaRiver.Not far from Olivenza we canvisit Valverde de Leganés,

founded in the 13th century andlocated near the Piedra Agudareservoir, place where thefamous Battle of La Albuera wasprepared during the War ofIndependence.Its church; San Bartolomé wasbuilt in the 16th century althoughit was not finished until the 18th.On the outskirts, in beautifulnature we can visit the ruins ofthe 16th century FranciscanConvent Madre de Dios.Then we can visit a series ofvillages very close to oneanother: San Benito de laContienda, Villareal, San Rafaelde Olivenza, San Francisco deOlivenza and San Juan de Alor.Picturesque and beautifulvillages of mediaeval originalmost on the banks of theGuadiana river and surroundedby nature and interesting fauna.A 20km journey will take us toBadajoz, on the Guadiana Riverand founded in the Arab era byIbn Marwan. It became animportant political and militarycentre after the fall of theCaliphate of Córdoba as a Taifareign.

MEIAC museum in Badajoz

Olivenza, Magdalena Church

historical eras.Nearby are the Plaza Alta andthe Plaza de San José, withpicturesque streets and alleysand some examples of Mudéjarart. The Cathedral, which lookslike a fortress, has Gothic,Renaissance and Baroqueelements. It also has aninteresting Cathedral Museumwith interesting paintings onwood, works in alabaster, ivory,goldsmith work, etc. Datingfrom the 16th to the 19th century.The city was originallysurrounded by a magnificentdefensive wall of Vauban design,of which there are many remainssuch as the gateways of PuertaPilar and Puerta Palmaopposite which is the Puente dePalmas bridge.Around the Cathedral there areinteresting churches andconvents and a nice and didacticFine Arts Museum (Museo deBellas Artes) beside the Soledadchurch, which contains an imageof the patron of the city; theVirgen de la Soledad.There is another museum werecommend the visitor not to

Conquered by King Alfonso IXde León, its situation near thePortuguese border meant it hadto live within its walls forcenturies.The Arab fortress or Alcázar,declared a Historical-ArtisticMonument in 1931, has amagnificent wall from theAlmohade era with towers ofwhich we can highlight laAtalaya, popularly called“Espantaperros”.Inside the fortress is the 16th

century Palace of the Duques dela Roca, now the ProvincialArchaeological Museum, withexcellent displays from different


172

Schloss in Badajoz

Técula Mécula, a dessert from Olivenza


173

miss; the M.E.I.AC., MuseoExtremeño e Iberoamericano deArte Contemporáneo (Museumof Contemporary Art ofExtremadura and Latinamerica)with splendid vanguardistexhibits.Both the Carnival and HolyWeek have been declared Feastsof Regional Tourist Interest.

GASTRONOMYHams and other cured Iberianpork products in the southernparts of the route and Badajoz.Home-made and convent –madecakes in several villages on theroute. “Tecula Mécula”, sweet ofPortuguese origin, in Olivenza.Sauté of green asparagus,gazpacho, salmorejo de boga(fish dish). “Migas extremeñas”(bread-based dish), “Caldereta”and roast lamb in the whole ofthe route.

CRAFTPottery, goldsmith work, basketand wood work in Badajoz.Craft in wood and cork.

FEASTSIn Oliva de la Frontera, theLiving Passion, played by localactors, in the Holyweek, hasbeen declared of regional TouristInterest.In Badajoz, its carnival andEaster have been declared ofRegional Tourist Interest.Carnival in Olivenza.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEA combination of plains andsierras with large stretches ofevergreen oak and cork treeforests, where the Iberian pig isbred free-range.The River Guadiana followsmost of the route creating anatural border “Raya” betweenPortugal (Alentejo) and Spain(Badajoz). There is an abundanceof game and numerous birds ofprey flying above. We can alsosee on the route the typicalcharcoal makers.

Living Passion in Oliva de la Frontera

Carnival in Badajoz

TENTUDÍA


175

ITINERARYMonesterio - Montemolín - Pallares -

Santa María de la Nava La Zapatera -

Puebla del Maestre - Fuente de Cantos -

Calzadilla de los Barros - Medina de

las Torres - Atalaya - Valencia del

Ventoso - Bodonal de la Sierra -

Segura de León - Fuentes de León -

Cabeza la Vaca - Calera de León

INDICATIONS

The Tentudía Sierra and its areais located in the south ofExtremadura,bordering with the Sierra Surregion of Extremadura and theneighbouring province ofHuelva; in the west is theCampiña Sur. A land steeped inhistory of conquests andreconquests, of war legends withdivine interventions and a grand

heritage. Nature is theprotagonist on this route, withbeautiful sierras and picturesquewhitewashed villages.Gastronomy is one of the highpoints, being the domain of theIberian pig “Pata Negra”, famousin the region and the whole ofSpain.

TOURIST ROUTEThis route will begin inMonesterio, next to the provincesof Huelva and Sevilla inAndalucía and a gateway to themeseta from Sierra Morena.Cured hams and other porkproducts make it famous inExtremadura and the rest ofSpain. Every year a very popularDía del Jamón (Ham Day) is heldat the beginning of September.When these lands wereconquered by the Order of

Monesterio

Montemolín

Pallares

Puebla del Maestre

Sta. María de NavaLa Zapatera

Fuente de Cantos

Calzadillade los Barros

Medinade las TorresAtalaya

Valencia delVentoso

Bodonal dela Sierra

Segura de León

Fuentes de León

Cabeza la Vaca

Calera de León

Tentudía

A-66

A-66

Arab fortress, rebuilt later by theOrder of Santiago.The church, today a hermitage,of Ntra, Sra. de la Granada or deSantiago is 16th century Gothic-Múdejar style and the parishchurch of Ntra, Sra. de laConcepción (16th centuryRenaissance style).Very nearby in the Sierra Morenais Pallares, a strategic point forboth Arabs and Christians in theMiddle Ages. In this small butbeautiful village we can highlightthe parish church of Santa MaríaMagdalena. Continuing southand next to Andalucia is SantaMaría de la Nava La Zapatera,small village known in the past asHoyas de Santa María,surrounded by evergreen oaksand hills of great beauty. It wasfounded in the 13th century byMaestre Pelay Pérez de Correaafter the victory in the Battle ofTudía. The parish church of SantaMaría is built of masonry.

Santiago in the Middle Ages, thistown became an importantstrategic point, becoming anEncomienda” of the Order. Theparish church of San PedroApóstol, in Gothic-Renaissancestyle, was built in the 16th

century.If we leave the Vía de la Plata fora short distance, we can visit theattractive village of Montemolín,the last possession of the Arabsin Extremadura, bordering withthe Campiña Sur, and which stillhas remains of its magnificent

Tentudía

176

Free range Iberian pigs

Montemolín Castle

Tentudía

177

Very close by is Puebla delMaestre, also on the SierraMorena and bordering with theCampiña Sur region.In this village the Master of theOrder of Santiago, Alonso deCárdenas had his temporaryresidence and there are still someremains of one of the towers ofthis building.Returning to the N-630 road wecan go to Fuente de Cantos, atthe edge of the Sur Sierra andwhich holds two feasts declaredof Regional Tourist Interest: thefamous “Romería de San Isidro”on the 15th of May and the“Chafaina” on the last Sunday inApril.The church of Ntra, Sra. de laGranada has a gallery over thedoorway and a Baroque altarpiece by González del Castillo.Also worthy of mention are the17th century Carmelite Conventand the 18th century hermitage ofNtra, Sra. de la Hermosa, patronof the village. One can also visitthe Museum-House of the painterZurbarán who was born here.A few kilometres away isCalzadilla de los Barros, on theN-630 road, the old Vía de laPlata, which during the Middle

Ages belonged to the Order ofSantiago. The parish church;Divino Salvador, is 15th centurywith a Gothic-Renaissance altarpiece with 28 paintings,considered one of the best inExtremadura.Medina de las Torres wasprobably built over the RomanContributa Iulia Obultuniacum,and its name Medina comes fromthe Arabs. Head of the domain of

Statue of Fco. de Zurbará in Fuente de Cantos

Castle-Palace in Valencia del Ventoso

inspiration. It also had twohermitages: Ntra, Sra. del Valleand La Piedad.Bodonal de la Sierra is betweenSegura de León and Fregenal dela Sierra, called in the pastBodeguinal due to theabundance of wine cellars(“bodegas”)it once had. Itsfamous “capeas” (bull feast) areheld in September in the MainSquare with boarding and carts.The parish church of San Blas is16th century and the hermitage ofNtra, Sra. de la Guía and thesanctuary known as “Las Flores”

the Order of Santiago, itbelonged to the Conde Duque deOlivares and the House of theDuques de Osuna. Its 16th

century parish church of Ntra.Sra. del Camino has a beautifulPlateresque doorway.In the Casitas, Mora and Atalayasierras, not far from Valencia delVentoso, is the village ofAtalaya, which belonged to theOrder of the Templars with achurch; Ntra, Sra. del Camino isbeside a 15th century defensivetower. Its name could have comefrom it location in vanguardduring the Arab domination.Valencia del Ventoso can befound leaving the N-630 road atthe edge of the sierra, in the pastit was known as Valencia delAlba Real or Valencia del Barreal.We can highlight in the villagethe 15th century Castle-Palace,finished in the 16th century, builtby the Master of the Order ofSantiago Rodrigo de Cárdenas,who would establish the head ofthe domain here.The parish church of Ntra, Sra.de la Esperanza is 15th centurywith a tower of Mudéjar

Tentudía

178

Capeas in Segura de León

Chanfaina Feast in Fuente de Cantos

Tentudía

179

is 13th century modified in theBaroque era.From Bodonal we can continueto Segura de León, beautifulvillage with prehistoric roots ashas been proven with thediscovery of the importantTreasure of Segura. The village isbuilt at the foot of a magnificent14th century castle. The 13th

century (modified in the 16th and18th centuries) parish church ofNtra, Sra. de la Asunción holdremains from the Visigothic era.The Town Hall with its arcade is16th century and the convent of

Cristo de la Reja or San Benito is16th century, with an interestingMudéjar cloister. The “capeas”during the Fiestas del Cristo (2nd

week of September) are famous.Right in the sierra we can findFuentes de León, surrounded bybeautiful landscape. This villagehas an Arab origin and laterbelonged to the Order ofSantiago in the 13th century. TheCastle Castillo del Cuerno is ofArab origin and the church ofNtra, Sra. de los Ángles is 15th-16th century in Gothic- Mudejarstyle.

Parish Church in Cabeza la Vaca

Church in Fuente de León

It has a 16th century Convent ofSantiago, built on the site of theold Priorato and Palacio Vicarial,with a magnificent Gothic-Renaissance cloister with adouble arcaded gallery. Next tothe Convent is the parish churchof Santiago el Mayor.A few kilometres from Calera deLeón is one of the mostemblematic Sanctuaries insouthern Extremadura; theMonastery of Ntra. Sra. deTentudía built incommemoration of the battlewon against the Arabs, with theintercession of the Virgin Mary towhom they pleaded to stop theday “detener el día” so theycould finish defeating theMuslim troops. The traditional“Romería” (festive pilgrimage) isheld every year at the beginningof September.The Monastery was begun in the13th century, looking like afortress and inside there is abeautiful Mudéjar style cloistermade of brickwork, and amagnificent Main Altar piecemade of ceramic tiles which

Near Fuentes del León and in theTentudía Sierra is Cabeza laVaca, renowned for its Iberianpork products that are soabundant in this area. Its nameprobably comes from the factthat the Great Master of theOrder of Santiago; PedroFernández Cabeza de Vaca wasborn here. One of the attractionsof this village is its popularmountain architecture, also itspopular 16th century “Rollo” or“Picota” (pillory) located in theSquare with its arcades. Theparish church of Ntra. Sra. de losÁngeles is 15th century with arenaissance doorway.Continuing up the sierra wecome to Calera de León called Al-Casera by the Arabs, located atthe foot of the Tentudía Peak(1,104m). Its origin is Arab and itwas conquered by the Order ofSantiago and became one of thestrategic and religious centres ofthe area, becoming “EncomiendaMayor” of the Order up to the16th century when thisdenomination was transferred toMérida.

Tentudía

180

Convent in Calera de León

Tentudía

dates from 1518. The Master“Maestre Mayor” of the Order ofSantiago, Pelay Pérez Correa, isburied here.The sierra round the monasteryis of incomparable beauty withmagnificent flora and fauna, andfrom this height (1,100m) youcan see most of the land around.

GASTRONOMYHams and other cured porkproducts in Monesterio andCabeza la Vaca. Lamb stews inmost of the area, highlighting the“caldereta extremeña” and thefamous “chafaina”, so wellknown in Fuente de Cantos.Migas extremeñas (bread baseddish), Gazpacho (a sort of coldvegetable soup) and game disheson the whole route.

CRAFTLeather boots and bone work inFuente de Cantos. Embroideryand lace in some of the villageson the route.

FEASTSThe “Capeas” (bull feasts) inBodonal de la Sierra, from the 9th

to the 11th of September. “Romeríade San Isidro” on the 15th of Mayand the ”Chafaina” on the lastSunday of April, both in Fuentede Cantos and both declared ofRegional Tourist Interest.The “Capeas” in Segura de Leónduring the Fiestas del Cristo, inthe 2nd week of September.The famous “Romería deTentudía” held around theMonastery of Tentudía.

NATURE AND LANDSCAPEMagnificent hills with evergreenoaks on the whole route, fromwhere you can see plains withcereal crops or cattle farms,especially those of Iberian pigs.Low sierras such as that ofTentudía, an authentic naturalparadise in southernExtremadura, where manyspecies of birds of prey and gamelive. Sprinkled over the route arethe whitewashed villages withtheir steep streets, huddledround a mediaeval castle, usuallywell preserved.

181

Monastery of Tentudía

.

INFORMATION OF INTEREST

TOURIST OFFICES IN EXTREMADURA

DEPENDENT ON THE JUNTA DE EXTREMADURA

CÁCERES

Plaza Mayor, 3

10003 Cáceres

Tfnos. 927 01 08 34

927 01 08 35

Fax 927 01 08 36

[email protected]

PLASENCIA

Pza. de Torre de Lucía s/n.

10600 Plasencia

Tfno. 927 01 78 40

Fax 927 01 78 41

[email protected]

VILLARREAL DE SAN CARLOS

Centro de Información

del Parque Natural de Monfragüe.

10695 Villarreal de San Carlos.

Tfno. 927 19 91 34

Fax: 927 19 82 12

[email protected]

TOURISTADMINISTRATIONS

CONSEJERÍA DE CULTURA

Y TURISMO

Paseo de Roma s/n

06800 Mérida

Tfno. 924 0070 09

DIRECCIÓN GENERAL

DE TURISMO

C/ Santa Eulalia, 30

06800 Mérida

Tfno. 924 00 83 43

Fax 924 00 83 54

www.turismoextremadura.com

[email protected]

INSPECCIÓN PROVINCIAL DE

TURISMO DE BADAJOZ

Avda. de Europa, 10

06004 Badajoz

Tfno. 924 01 06 83

Fax 924 01 07 10

INSPECCIÓN PROVINCIAL DE

TURISMO DE CÁCERES

C/ Gómez Becerra, 21

10001 Cáceres

Tfno. 927 00 56 30

Fax 927 00 56 52

TUREXTREMADURA

Avda. de Extremadura, 5 bajo

06800 Mérida

Tfno. y Fax: 924 30 46 07 / 08

www.turiex.com

[email protected]

184

185

MUNICIPAL OR IN ARRANGEMENT WITH THE TOWN COUNCIL

ALANGEC/ Trinidad, 1906840 Alange

Tfno. y Fax: 924 36 52 19www.alange.es

[email protected]

ALBURQUERQUEPlaza de España, s/n06510 Alburquerque

Tfno. y Fax: 924 40 12 [email protected]

ALCÁNTARA Avenida de Mérida, 21

10980 AlcántaraTfno. y Fax: 927 39 08 63

[email protected]

ALISEDA C/ Tesoro, s/n10550 Aliseda

Tfno. 927 27 70 [email protected]

ALMENDRALEJOAtrio de la Piedad, 206200 Almendralejo

Tfno. y Fax: 924 66 69 67 www.almendralejo.es

[email protected]

ARROYO DE LA LUZ C/ Santa Ana, 1

10900 Arroyo de la LuzTfno. 927 27 04 37Fax: 927 27 15 77

[email protected]

AZUAGA Plaza de la Merced, 12

06920 AzuagaTfno y Fax 924 13 78 38

[email protected]

BADAJOZPasaje de San Juan s/n

06005 BadajozTfno.: 924 22 49 81Fax: 924 21 02 32

[email protected]

BAÑOS DE MONTEMAYORMayor, 78 (Ayuntamiento)

10750 Baños de MontemayorTfno. 927 48 80 12 (Ayto.)Fax 927 48 80 75 (Ayto.)

[email protected]

BELVÍS DE MONROY C/ Real, s/n

10394 Belvís de MonroyTfno. 927 57 59 68

Fax: 927 57 57 84 (Ayto.)[email protected]

CÁCERES (Oficina Municipal)C/ Ancha, 7

10003 CáceresTfno.: 927 24 71 72

CAMINOMORISCOAvda. de las Hurdes, s/n

10620 Caminomorisco Tfno. y Fax: 927 43 53 29www.todohurdes.com

[email protected]

CORIAAvda. de Extremadura, 39

10800 CoriaTfno. 927 50 13 51

Fax 927 50 07 35 (Ayto.)www.coria.org

[email protected]

DON BENITOVillanueva, 1

06400 Don BenitoTfno. 924 80 80 84

Tfno y Fax 924 80 53 50www.donbenito.es

[email protected]

JARAÍZ DE LA VERA Avda. Constitución, 16710400 Jaraíz de la Vera

Tfno. 927 17 05 87Fax 927 46 06 46

[email protected]

JARANDILLA DE LA VERAPlaza de la Constitución, 1 10450 Jarandilla de la VeraTfno. y Fax: 927 56 04 60

[email protected]

JEREZ DE LOS CABALLEROSAvda. de la Constitución 4

06380 Jerez de los CaballerosTfno. 924 73 03 72Fax 924 73 02 04

www.jerezdeloscaballeros.esturismo@jerezdeloscaballeros.e.telefonica.net

JERTEAvda. Ramón y Cajal s/n

10612 JerteTfno.: 927 47 04 53Fax: 927 47 03 39

[email protected]

LLERENAAurora 2

06900 LlerenaTfno. y Fax: 924 87 05 51

[email protected]

LOS SANTOS DE MAIMONAPlaza de España, 9 (Casa de la Cultura)

06230 Los Santos de MaimonaTfno. y Fax: 924 54 48 01

[email protected]

MALPARTIDA DE CÁCERESMuñoz Torrero, s/n.

10910 Malpartida de CáceresTfno. y Fax: 927 27 67 23 (Ayto.)

[email protected]

FREGENAL DE LA SIERRAEl Rollo, 1

06340 Fregenal de la SierraTfno. 924 70 00 00Fax 924 70 03 83

www.audinex.es/[email protected]

FUENTES DE LEÓNC/ Galinda, s/n

06280 Fuentes de LeónTfno.: 924 72 41 74Fax: 924 72 41 61

GUADALUPEPza Sta. María de Guadalupe s/n

10140 Guadalupe Tfno. y Fax: 927 15 41 28

www.puebladeguadalupe.netayto-guadalupe@ hotmail.com

HERVÁSBraulio Navas, 6

10700 HervásTfno. y Fax: 927 47 36 18

[email protected]

HERRERA DEL DUQUEAvda. de la Palmera, 1

06670 Herrera del DuqueTfno.: 924 65 02 31Fax: 924 65 00 25

[email protected]

HIGUERA LA REALC/ Fuente, 12

06350 Higuera la RealTfno.: 924 72 33 28Fax: 924 72 71 30

[email protected]

HORNACHOSFelipe Trigo, 1 (Casa de la Cultura)

06228 HornachosTfno. 924 53 35 33 Fax 924 53 36 07

[email protected]

186

187

MDAD. DE ALCONAVAR

C/ Hernán Cortés, 6

10161 Arroyomolinos

Tfno. 927 38 53 06

[email protected]

MDAD. TRASIERRA-TIERRAS DE GRANADILLA

Plaza de Poblado Gabriel y Galán

10712 Pantano de Gabriel y Galán

Tfno.: 927 43 94 76

Fax: 927 43 96 66

[email protected]

MDAD. DE LA SERENA

Palacio de los Condes de Ayala

Plaza de España, s/n

06420 Castuera

Tfno. 924 77 38 17

Fax 924 76 06 35

www.laserena.org

[email protected]

MDAD. DE LA SIERRA DE GATA

Plaza del Vadillo, 1

10867 Robledillo de Gata

Tfno. 927 67 10 11

Fax 927 67 10 80 (Ayto.)

www.robledillodegata.com

www.sierradegata.org/es

[email protected]

OF. COMARCAL TURISMO INTEGRAL

MDAD. SIERRA DE GATA

Plaza Mayor, 1 Bajo

10892 San Martín de Trevejo

Tfno. 927 51 45 85

www.sierradegata.es

[email protected]

[email protected]

MDAD. DEL VALLE DEL JERTE

Paraje de Peñas Albas, s/n

10610 Cabezuela del Valle

Tfno. y Fax: 927 47 25 58

www.turismovalledeljerte.com

[email protected]

MEDELLÍNPlaza Hernán Cortés, 3

06411 MedellínTfno. y Fax: 924 82 24 38

[email protected]

MÉRIDAC/ Santa Eulalia, 64

06800 MéridaTfno.: 924 33 07 22

www.merida.es

MONESTERIOPaseo de Extremadura, 205 Izq.

06260 MonesterioTfno. 924 51 67 37Fax 924 51 60 61

[email protected]

MONTÁNCHEZPlaza de España, 1 10170 Montánchez

Tfno. y Fax: 927 38 07 63www.villademontanchez.com

[email protected]

MONTEHERMOSOPlaza de la Constitución s/n

10810 MontehermosoTfno. 927 43 06 72Fax 927 67 50 03

[email protected]

MONTIJOAv. de la Estación, s/n

06480 MontijoTfno. 924 45 90 45

Fax 924 45 35 03 (Ayto)[email protected]

MORALEJAAvda. Pureza Canelo, s/n

10840 MoralejaTfno. y Fax 927 14 70 [email protected]

VALENCIA DE ALCÁNTARAHernán Cortes, s/n

10500 Valencia de AlcántaraTfno. y Fax: 927 58 21 84

[email protected]

VILLAFRANCA DE LOS BARROSCtra. N-630, Km. 664,50

06220 Villafranca de los BarrosTfno y Fax 924 52 08 35

[email protected]

VILLANUEVA DE LA SERENAPlaza de España, 1 (Ayto.)

06700 Villanueva de la SerenaTfno. 924 84 60 10Fax 924 84 35 29

www.villanuevadelaserena.esoficinaturismo@villanuevadelaserena.es

VILLANUEVA DE LA VERAAvda. de la Vera, s/n

10470 Villanueva de la VeraTfno. 927 56 70 31

[email protected]@wanadoo.es

ZAFRAPlaza de España, 8 B

06300 ZafraTfno. y Fax: 924 55 10 [email protected]

NAVALMORAL DE LA MATAAntonio Concha, 91

10300 Navalmoral de la MataTfno. 927 53 23 28Fax 927 53 53 60

[email protected]

OLIVENZAPlaza de España, s/n

06100 OlivenzaTfno. y Fax 924 49 01 51

[email protected]

PLASENCIA (Oficina Municipal)Plaza de Sta. Clara, s/n

Tfno.: 927 42 38 43Fax: 927 42 55 94

www.plasencia.com

TALARRUBIASCentro de Ocio Puerto Peña

Ctra. Peloche, km. 106640 Pantano de Puerto Peña

Tfno.: 924 63 01 00www.talarrubias.net

[email protected]

TORREJÓN EL RUBIOMadroño, 1

10694 Torrejón El RubioTfno. 927 45 52 92Fax 927 45 52 34

[email protected]

TRUJILLOPlaza Mayor, s/n

10200 TrujilloTfnos. 927 32 26 77

927 65 90 39Fax 927 65 91 40

[email protected]

188

189

OTHER PUBLICATIONS OF THE HEADQUARTER OF TOURISM

GENERAL GUIDES

Guía Turística de Extremadura

Guía Profesional de Extremadura

Guía de Alojamiento Rural

Guía de Campings y Bungalows

Guía Vía de la Plata

Guía de Turismo Enológico

Guía de Límite Visual

Guía del Caminante

Mapa Turístico de Extremadura

Mapa de Turismo Ornitológico

Mapa de la Vía Verde

Mapa de Naturaleza Activa

Mapa de la Vía de la Plata

Mapa del Caminante

Tríptico de Cuevas Turísticas

Tríptico de la Vía Verde

TERRITORIAL GUIDES

I- Sierra de Gata / Hurdes / Cáparra

II- Valle del Ambroz / Valle del Jerte / La Vera

III- Plasencia / Monfragüe / Campo Arañuelo

IV- Villuercas / Jara / Ibores

V- Cáceres / Trujillo-Miajadas / Montánchez-Tamuja

VI- Sierra de San Pedro-Los Baldíos / Tajo-Salor-Almonte / Valle del Alagón

VII- La Siberia / La Serena / Vegas Altas del Guadiana

VIII- Campiña Sur / Tentudía / Jerez-Sierra Suroeste

IX- Comarca de Olivenza / Badajoz / Comarca de Lácara / Mérida

X- Sierra Grande-Tierra de Barros / Zafra-Río Bodión

.

LOCAL GUIDES

Badajoz - Cáceres - Mérida - Plasencia - Zafra - Trujillo - Guadalupe - Coria -

Valencia de Alcántara - Jerez de los Caballeros - Olivenza - Llerena

THEMATIC GUIDES

1- Guía de Rutas Histórico-Artísticas

2- Guía de Ecoturismo

3- Guía de Senderos Turísticos

4- Guía de Museos y Colecciones

5- Guía de Balnearios

6- Guía de Rutas Gastronómicas

7- Guía de Fiestas de Interés Turístico

8- Guía de Fines de Semana por Extremadura

9- Guía de Naturaleza Activa

10- Guía de Yacimientos Arqueológicos

.

© JUNTA DE EXTREMADURAConsejería de Cultura y Turismo

Coordinación General:Dirección General de Turismo

Fotografías: Julián Blasco Fuerte / Foto-Video Patón

Diseño:Pepe Melara

Preimpresión: XXI Estudio Gráfico

Impresión: Gráficas Romero

Depósito Legal: BA- 464 - 99

.

Documents

Weekend Routes in Extremadura