Cáceres is the second largest province in Spain and one of the least crowded.
Also, one of the most beautiful.
Land of discoverers, it is home to monumental World Heritage cities, medieval towns, castles that watch over strategic territories, a Biosphere Reserve, historical regions, monasteries where kings rested, valleys of cherry trees that are covered in white in spring, meadows ... To all this we must add a gastronomy that already in 2015 earned it the title of Spanish Gastronomic Capital.
Its unquestionable charms are many and for all tastes.
We show seven reasons to put the Extremadura province on the agenda of future trips.
1. The monumental capital
Historic center of Cáceres.
Cáceres is one of the 15 Spanish cities
recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
.
Touring the millenary "old city" is to witness the traces left by the different civilizations that inhabited it.
The wall that surrounds the historic center or the ten Almohad towers, including the Torre de Bujaco, have Arab origin.
The churches, such as the Co-Cathedral of Santa María (15th century), and some palaces, such as Carvajal, are vestiges of Christian culture, while the Jewish one is present in the spectacular Jewish quarter formed by narrow streets and whitewashed houses adorned with plants and flowers.
2. Monfragüe
Monfragüe Castle.
The Monfragüe Biosphere Reserve -which contains the National Park in its area- represents the largest extension of Mediterranean forest on the entire planet.
It is also a paradise for lovers of ornithology.
In it is the
Arrocampo reservoir
, with 170 species of birds (among them, black and griffon vultures, Iberian imperial eagles, royal and Bonelli's eagles, kites ...), as well as other enclaves that deserve a visit, such as
the Cueva del Castillo
, with its cave paintings;
the murals of the Trampantojos Route in the town of
Romangordo
;
the imposing
Cristo de la Victoria
, from Serradilla, or the remains of the Castle of Monfragüe, to enjoy the best views of the Park.
3. The Monastery of Guadalupe
Guadalupe.
It is the jewel of the town with the same name, located in a beautiful natural environment 120 km east of Cáceres.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, its origin lies in a hermitage from the 13th century, which a century later was transformed into a Gothic church.
The current monastery houses in its interior the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Extremadura.
Its history is also linked to the Catholic Monarchs - who stayed there in 1492, after conquering Granada - and Christopher Columbus, who returned to the city to thank the Virgin for his discovery of America.
Guadalupe is a recognized place of pilgrimage, which this year extends the celebration of its Jubilee Year, something that only happens 14 times every century: when the feast of the Virgin (September 6) falls on a Sunday, like last year.
4. Lands of Granadilla
Grandilla.
To the north of the province, almost on the border with Salamanca, is the Tierras de Granadilla region.
Made up of 15 municipalities, including
Granadilla
, one of the most beautiful abandoned villages (in the mid-twentieth century) in Spain, it is crossed from north to south by the Vía de la Plata, an ancient Roman road.
In it we can find the only quadriform Roman arch that is preserved in our country, in the
medieval town of Cáparra
.
The region is ideal for fans of hiking and sports in nature.
The
Pico Pitolero
, which is accessed by a beautiful hiking route, is perfect for paragliding, while in the waters of
the Gabriel y Galán reservoir
you can enjoy nautical activities in spring and summer.
5. La Vera
Yuste Monastery, La Vera.
Also located to the north of the province, this region of Cáceres is historically linked to the figure of King Carlos I, son of Juana La Loca and grandson of the Catholic Monarchs.
In
the Monastery of Yuste,
the monarch spent his last days before dying in 1558.
In addition to the monumental convent (a building rebuilt on the ruins of the old monastery that served as the emperor's residence), La Vera has many other attractions, such as the town of
Cuacos
, with its historical-artistic complex,
the castle of the Counts of Oropesa
, in Jarandilla de la Vera, which was the provisional residence of the aforementioned emperor, or the numerous hiking routes (including Tejada de Tiétar),
natural pools
and impressive gorges, such as Las Pilatillas, Minchones or Gualtaminos, with its renowned waterfall, La Chorrera del Devil.
6. The Jerte valley
Cherry blossoms, Jerte valley.
Every year, the slopes of this valley of the Garganta de los Infierno Nature Reserve are stained white due to
the flowering of about the million and a half cherry trees
that populate the place.
This incredible spectacle, which attracts thousands of tourists a year, is short-lived and takes place over two weeks during the month of March.
The meadows, streams, gorges, trails, oak forests and the mountains that surround the region, watered by the Jerte River and dotted by 11 municipalities, are also an important attraction for hikers and nature lovers.
7. Gastronomy
The variety and gastronomic wealth of Extremadura are a tourist attraction in themselves.
Only the province of Cáceres
has eight Protected Denominations of Origin
.
In addition to the Iberian ham from the Dehesa de Extremadura, there is the paprika from La Vera, the virgin olive oil Gata-Hurdes, the cherries from Jerte, the honey from Villuercas-Ibores, the cheeses from Ibores, Acehuche and the famous cake of the casar .
These products, along with sausages and meats derived from pork, star in the cuisine of Cáceres.
Among the typical dishes you should not miss trying Extremadura crumbs, zorongollo and cuchifrito.
Another important gastronomic claim is
the Atrio restaurant
(Plaza San Mateo, 1), with two Michelin stars.
Located in the center of Cáceres, 300 meters from the Cathedral, the establishment stands out, in addition to its traditional cuisine dishes with avant-garde touches prepared by chef Toño Pérez, for its spectacular winery and almost inexhaustible wine list.
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