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.