La Vera, El Jerte and El Ambroz; It is composed by its Palaces, Cathedrals, Historical Walls, Churches. It is the main medieval town in the North of Extremadura. Don´t miss it!

It was on King Alfonso VIII´s iniciative that Plasencia was foundes in the war frontier between the Christian and the Muslim trops in 1.186. However, this important defensive nucleus and the nearby lands were occupied by other cultures from the Prehistoric Age to the Middle Ages.

The Almohads, under the command of Abén Jucef, conquered it in 1196, although it fell under King Alfonso VIII´s control again a year later. He ordered to destroy the fortified in 1.201 Being a free locality up to 1442, it was at this moment that it started to belong to Pedro de Zuñiga with the title of County through king Juan II´s grant. However, it was in 1488 that Plasencia became part of the Catholic Monarchs´possesions, as the town council and the nobility that belonged to the municipal government wished.

The most important memebers of the Extremaduran nobility lived in Plasencia from the late 15 th century on. In the Course of the years they left an important artistic-historical legacy which is well-preserved nowadays.

Two years after the Foundation of this locality in 1.186, Plasencia had a bishop see which included Medellín and Trujillo. This bishopric enlarged the old Romanesque Cathedral temple centuries later, thus building the New Cathedral in the course of the 16 th century.

As Bishop Juan de Carvajal proposed, studies focusing on humanities were created. They were the first General University studies Extremadura had in 1446. Throughout the centuries, Plasencia became a usual place for agricultural, commercial and cattle deals. Among its Medieval traditions, it still preserves attractive fairs and festivities and singular markets suchs as the one that is held at the beginnings of August, known as “Martes Mayor”, which was declared Regional Tourist Interest Festivity).

As a Result of the warmth and the enterprising nature which is tupical of the locals, Plasencia is an economic and socio-cultural reference for the northern area of Extremadura. Besides, the supply of excellent services has contributed to its recognotion as the most important urban nucleus in the North of Extremadura.

Don´t miss: The Old and New Cathedral, Marquises of Mirabel´s Renaissance Palace, The Provincial Ethnographic Textile Museun of “Pérez Enciso”, San Antón´s aquedcut, Santa María del Puerto ´s Sancturary, San Esteban´s Church, Las Claras´Convent, San Nicolas´s Church, Santa Ana´s Church, San Martín´s Church, San Vicente Ferrer´s Convent, Salvador´s Church, San Pedro´s Church, Other Palaces and Stately Houses and Fortified walls and Doors.

Sanctuary of nature, pre-history, geography and gastronomy. Crowned by La Vera, El Jerte and el Ambroz Valleys. Live the experience!

The nearby localities Casas de Millán, Cañaveral, Pedro de Acím, Torrejón el Rubio, Malpartida de Plasencia, Serradilla and Mirabel stand around Monfragüe Nature Reserve.

This Reserve, the first protected area of Extremadura, was declared Nature Reserve in 1979 and considered Special Protection Area for Birds in 1991, specially due to the numerous bords of prey settled in this place. In addition to tha, it has been declared Boisphere Reserve recently.

This area with 17,852 hectares takes up both sides of Tajo River and we can find the mouth of Tiétar river in it, so these lands become a link between Villuercas and the Mountains around las Vegas de Alagón. It has an excellent Interpretation and Visitants Centre in Villareal de San Carlos, village which belongs to Serradilla, founded in XVIII century according to Carlos III´s wishes and form the place where the best routes for visiting the reserve through the different itineraries are perfectly signposted in this zone. The popular Salto del Gitano, is a privileged viewpoint in the Reserve. We can observe hundreds of vultures from it, as well as from another emblematic place called Saltos de Torrejón, close to the dam where the viewpoint of tejadilla with and observaotry of fauna and birds is situated.

The Castle is one of the most emblematic places tha Monfragüe Nature Reserve possesses and its height let us oberve mos part of wide dehesas which make up the Reserve, The Majestic soar of vultures coming to the castle and Salto del Gitano and Tajo River flowing in these zones. In addition to tha, we can find protected shelters with schematic cave paintings near the castle, at the beginning os its slope.

The are numerous holm oaks and cork oaks in the deheas which make up the Reserve surrounded by rocky places where hundreds of vultures live and one of the most numerous colonies of black vultures in the world.

The Iberian Golden Eagle has one of the most important areas for its protection in the Reserve, where other emblematic species such as black stork, Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcon or Golden owl and birds of prey suchs as sparrow hawks, booted eagles, short-toed eagles, etcetera are protected.

Imperial and Monastic in the ancient Yuste during the kingdom of Carlos V; cradle of paprika, goat cheese and hiking due to its amaizing landscapes watered by its waterfalls and natural pools.

La Vera is situated in the Northeastern region of the Cáceres Province, in the Southern side of the Gredos Mountains and parallel to the Tietar River.

Thanks to its geographic situation and characteristics, La Vera can be considered as an enclave which has allowed the development and settlement of communities since time inmemorial, as it has been discovered on several megalithic burials. The countless examples of popular architecture spread among its nineteen villages are enough to justify a cultural visit to la vera. Not in vain, five out of our villages have been declared Historic-Artistic Ensembles.

Although the cultural jewel in the region is doubtless The Monastery and the Palace of Yuste, which is also where the Headquartes of the European Academy of Yuste are and cultural activities of the highest level are held, you must not pay less attention to its Churches, Palaces, Castles, Fountains…

The Gastronomy is varied but the delicious “the best in the world” Pimentón is a jewel in the Gastronomy of la Vera and improves the excellent cuisine. La Vera is the most vegetated region of Extremadura. This is due to its location and the great amount of water courses. Its gorges are espectacular places for trekking and for summer baths.

Don´t miss: Cuacos de Yuste, Jarandilla de La Vera, Robledillo de La Vera