Extremadura Information
Extremadura is one of Spain's best-kept travel secrets. Geographically
the region is located in the west of the country stretching as far as the Portuguese border.
Geographically,
Extremadura is a wonderfully inviting mix of mountain ranges, scenic meadows and
panoramic fields. The land has remained pretty much unchanged for centuries
which makes it is an attractive destination for travellers who like to get off
the beaten track.
There are some great historical cities to visit, outstanding areas of natural
beauty, superb hotel options and an interesting gastronomy which includes good
local wines and some of Spain's finest ham products..
 Lying well away from the coast, Extremadura's continental climate is
characterised by hot summers and cold winters. I recall only too well
7th July 2005 as I sat in my car in Trujillo listening to events unfold in
London after the terrorist attack on the city. The air conditioning was working
overtime as the car's thermostat registered 44șC.
Extremadura and its History
Despite being a little-known region outside Spain itself, Extremadura has more
than its fair share of history. When the Roman Empire was expanding across
Europe, one of the places they made almost a home from home was the city of
Merida. Such was the importance of this city in Roman plans that they built a
complete amphitheatre, as well as a traditional Roman temple, with an
aqueduct to use for supplies and trade. These buildings can still be
found in Merida today along with the archway that was erected and the villas for the travelling
armies.
Another part of world history that originated from this region are the
conquistadors such as Pizarro and Balboa. Travellers as well as adventurers,
the conquistadors left Spain to make their fortune in the Americas, often at the
expense of the natives whom they would plunder goods from. Probably the most
famous of these men was Pizarro who came from the Extremaduran town of
Trujillo.
Travel there today and you'll see the riches he made for himself with its
breathtaking medieval castle and mansion.
Where to Visit in Extremadura
Merida and Trujillo are two of the highlights of Extremadura yet there are
plenty more fascinating destinations which you can explore at your leisure, away
from the tourist hordes.
If you're looking for a mix of the old with the new then
Caceres is ideal.
Dating from the very first century, the city has grown into a modern, yet
traditional, mix of cultures and history. Even if you're not too interested in
history you can't fail to be impressed by the combination of Roman and Arab
architecture, and the Gothic cathedral that stands out and grabs your attention.
If you're more of a nature lover then you must go to the
Monfrague Natural Park,
which houses some of the rarest eagles and birds of prey anywhere in the world.
Some of the rarest species include Spanish imperial eagles, golden eagles
and Egyptian vultures. There are more than 200 types of animals in the park
including the very rare Spanish lynx.
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Historical Destinations
Thanks to its varied beginnings with
Roman, Arab and other cultures coming together, Extremadura is home to a
fascinating selection of
monasteries for the visitor to explore.
The Yuste Monastery near Caceres dates back to the 15th century and is famous
for being the place where the reigning Emperor, Carlos V, came to die. Nearby is
Jarandilla de la Vera which dates
from the same period as the monastery and was actually used by King
Charles I while the monastery was being completed.
Another monastery well worth taking the time to visit is the
Monastery of
Guadalupe which was built the century before its Yuste compatriot. With its
large bronze doors depicting the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and being the final
resting place of King Henry IV and his mother, the Monastery of Guadalupe offers
a glimpse into both Christianity and medieval Europe.
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Some of the other places you might want to check out include the Valle de Jerte which is one of the largest
cherry blossom valleys anywhere and offers some
fantastic photo opportunities in the early spring. Almost on the Portuguese
border the Moorish city of Badajoz has interesting watch towers whilst
Plasencia
is full of medieval buildings and a fine cathedral. Zafra, to the south,
is another worthwhile stop with a fine castle which has been converted into a
parador hotel.
Paradors of Extremadura
If you truly wish to experience all that this region has to offer then you need
to stay in the region's paradors. These are hotels that have been built in
conjunction with the ancient buildings themselves, such as castles and
monasteries and offer the ultimate in luxury and a feeling of being part of the
heritage of this region.
An ideal way of discovering this fascinating land is to take a self-drive
tour of the region whilst staying in some of Extremadura's historic
paradors. The 4-star Parador de Caceres is one of the best around whilst there
are other beautiful options in Zafra, Trujillo, Merida, Guadalupe and Jarandilla
de la Vera. Below is a list of the building type in each destination.
Caceres - 4* - 14th century palace
Zafra - 4* - 15th century castle
Guadalupe - 4* - 15th century Hospital of St. John the Baptist
Plasencia - 4* - 15th century convent
Jarandilla de la Vera - 4* 15th century castle-palace
Merida - 4* - 18th century convent
Trujillo - 4* - 18th century convent
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