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 Caceres
The
province of Caceres is one of the most beautiful in Spain. Amazingly intact historical
cities, sleepy rural towns and beautiful natural reserves. Sharply cold in the
Winter, and very hot at the height of Summer, Caceres is perhaps most stunning
in the Spring, when the cherry groves in Jerte Valley are in blossom, the mountain
snow is thawing, and the flora and fauna seem to come alive. It is also stunning
in the autumn, when vast wooded areas seem ablaze with autumn colours, and the
old buildings in Caceres and Trujillo become red and orange under the autumn sun.
Caceres is the capital city of the Region of Extremadura, one of Spain's
poorest regions in terms of per capita, but richest in terms of historical heritage,
gastronomy, wines and unspoilt nature.
Caceres capital city
Caceres was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in
1986 because of the city's blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian
Renaissance styles, fruit of the many battles fought here throughout history.
An amazing 30 towers from the Muslim period still stand in Caceres, of which the
Torre del Bujaco is the most famous. This virtual
guide of Caceres gives you some idea of the beauty of the city. What
to do and see in Caceres
The origins of Caceres go back
to prehistoric time, as evidenced
by the paintings in the Cuevas
de Maltravieso (Maltravieso Caves)
which date back from the late
Paleolithic period. The best way
to savour this unique city is
to leave your car in one of the
carparks located outside the historical
centre, and then to stroll around
the historical quarters at your
leisure to admire the numerous
buildings, towers, palaces and
plazas most very well conserved
or recently restored, dating from
the Middle Ages and Rennaisance.
Visitors will be able to see remnants
from Medieval times, Roman occupation,
Moor occupation and Jewish influence.
Caceres has four main areas to
be explored; the historical quarter,
the Jewish quarter, the modern
center, and the outskirts.
 History
of Caceres
As
mentioned above, the first evidence of humans living in Caceres is from the Late
Paleolithic era, around 25,000 B.C. Caceres started to gain importance as a strategic
city under Roman occupation, and remains found in the city suggest that it was
a thriving center as early as 25 B.C. Some remains of the first wall built around
the city by the Romans in III and IV A.D. still exist, including one entrance,
Arco del Cristo.
After the end of the Roman Empire,
the city was occupied Barbarians
and Visigoths and entered a period
of decline and decay until the
Arabs conquered Caceres in the
seven hundreds. The city spent
the next few centuries mostly
under Arab rule, although power
did exchange from Moors to Christians
several times. During this time,
the Arabs rebuilt the city, including
a wall and various towers, including
the Torre de Bujaco, and palaces.
Caceres was reconquered by the
Christians in the 13th century.
During this period the city had
an important Jewish quarter: in
the 15th Century when the total
population was 2,000, nearly 140
Jewish families lived in Caceres.
The Jewish population was expelled
in 1492, but many remnants which
are a result of the Jewish influence
during this period are still be
seen today in the Barrio San
Antonio.
Caceres flourished during the Reconquest
and the Discovery of America, as influential Spanish families and nobles built
homes and small palaces here, and many members of families from Extremadura participated
in voyages to America where they made their fortune. In the 19th Century Caceres
became the capital of the province, marking a period of growth which was halted
by the Spanish Civil War. The headquarters of the University and several regional
government departments are to be found in Caceres which today has a population
of 85,000 inhabitants.  Visitors
to Caceres should visit the following monuments:
- Cathedrals
and Churches: Iglesia y Convento de San Pablo, XV Century church and
convent; Convento de la Compañía de Jesus barroque style
which today is used for art exhibitions; Iglesia yConcatedral de Santa María,
cathedral built in XXIII, Gothic period; Iglesia de San Mateo, XV Century
church built on the site of a former mosque; Iglesia de San Francisco Javier,
Baroque period, XVIII century; Iglesia de San Juan, large magestic
church which took five centuries to complete, from 13th to 15th Century; Ermita
de San Antonio Iglesia de Santo Domingo; Ermita de la Paz; Iglesia
de Santiago
- The Wall: Torre de Bujaco XIIc; Arco
de la Estrella XVIIIc; Torre de Sande, XIVc-XVc; Torre de los Púlpitos;
Torre de la Hierba; Arco de Santa Ana; Torre del Horno; Torre del Postigo; Torre
Redonda;
Torre Desmochada; Arco del Cristo; Arco del Socorro
- Palaces
and stately homes: Palacio de los Golfines de Arriba; Palacio de los Golfines
de Abajo - one of the most spectacular. The Reyes Católicos, Isabella
and Ferdinand, lived here; Palacio del Comendador de Alcuescar; Palacio-Fortaleza
de los Torreorgaz, today a Parador
hotel, Palacio Episcopal; Palacio de Carvajal XVc; Palacio de Godoy;
Palacio de Mayoralgo; Mansión de los Sande; Palacio de las Veletas; Palacio
de los Cáceres-Ovando; Casa del Mono; Palacio de los Toledo-Moctezuma;
Casa del Sol; Casa Mudejar; Casa de Carvajal y Ulloa.
Caceres museums:
- Museum of Caceres - housed in La Casa de las Veletas
y la Casa de los Caballos in the historical quarter.
- La Casa-Museo
Árabe, between the Plaza San Jorge and the Arco del Cristo. Arab culture,
art and remains.
- Museo Concatedral de Caceres, in the Plaza Santa
Maria. Religious art.
Fiestas y festivals in Caceres: Fiesta
de los mártires in January; Fiesta de las Candelas
and Fiesta de San Blas in February. The most important local fiestas
in Caceres are in April, San Jorge, when on 22nd-23rd a dragon is
burnt on a bonfire in the Plaza Mayor, accompanied by a fireworks display. Ferias
de Mayo in May. Semana Santa processions are quite a spectacle as they
wind around the narrow streets in the historical center. Shopping:
The small streets in the historical center have lots of small shops selling typical
products. The convents sell delicious homemade sweets and pastries. Wines from
Extremadura are cheaper than many other wine-making areas and quite delicious
if you like full-bodied red wine. Also try and buy some cherry liquor made with
cherries from the nearby Jerte valley, or other original liquors such as chestnut
or blackberry. Other local produce you can buy in most towns and villages in the
province of Cáceres include goats cheese (Torta del Casar), fig cake, chestnuts,
hams and other pork products, lamb, olive oil, paprika (pimentón de la
Vera).
Cuisine: Cáceres is
famous for its stews, roast meats (especially pork, lamb and game), fried breadcrumbs
(migas), trout, pastries.... Restaurants in Caceres: Atrio,
one of Spain's finest restaurants, innovative cuisine; El Figón de Estaquio,
one of Caceres' oldest and most popular restaurants, traditional cuisine; La
Tahona, local cuisine, impressive wineliest, good prices. Restaurants
in the province of Caceres: El Clavo in Valencia de Alcántara, good
basic food, also offers accommodation; La Taberna Encantada in Perales
del Puerto; Carlos V in Jarandilla de la Vera, very good value for
money, traditional cuisine; Viña la Mazuela in Plasencia, innovative
and creative cuisine; Asador Corral del Rey in Trujillo, specialised in
roast meats.  Hotels
in Caceres: Thanks to its rich heritage, Cáceres is fortunate to have
several paradors in the province, and they are all marvelous and present a great
opportunity to take advantage of one of the special offers available to visitors
wishing to visit various paradors. See our more detailed reviews and photos here
by clicking on the name: Parador
in Caceres - a splendid hotel in the medieval part of the old town, Parador
in Trujillo, Parador
in Jarandilla de la Vera and
Parador in Plasencia, Parador in Guadalupe ****
Hotels in Caceres city:
Meliá Cáceres **** one of the nicest of the Melia chain of hotels,
set in a XVIc palace in the city center; Cáceres Golf **** on the
outskirts with a 18-hole golf course for visitors wanting to combine sport and
culture.
 Hotels
in the province of Caceres: Hospedería Puente de Alconétar
**** a beautiful XVc Palace in Garrovillas de Alconétar; Convento
de la Luz **** a peaceful hotel set in a XVIc convent in Brozas; Hospedería
del Real Monasterio** a modest hotel with the rooms set around a magnificent
XVIc cloister in Guadalupe; Hospedería Valle del Jerte****, 25km
from Plasencia in a converted olive oil mill with lovely views of the beautiful
Jerte Valley; Isla del Gallo**** in Trujillo.
Places
to visit in the province of Caceres:
- Plasencia:
Declared a World Heritage City by the UNESCO in 1993. See photos of Plasencia.
- Guadalupe: Monastery of Guadalupe where the Virgin of Guadalupe
is.
- Trujillo:
Beautiful medieval, monumental town. Birthplace of many of Spain's most famous
conquerors, including Francisco Pizarro (founder of Peru), Francisco Orellano
(Amazon) and Diego García de Paredes (Venezuela).
- Alcántara:
Roman bridge, 200m and 60m high with 6 arches. Built in 106 AD.
- Jarandilla
de la Vera
- The Monasterio de Yuste chosen by Carlos V as
to die is also worth visiting. Only open in the morning on Sundays.
Natural
parks and rural tourism: - Monfrague Natural Park: 17,852
hectares, the Parque Natural de Monfragüe contains the following villages:
Torrejón el Rubio, Serradilla, Malpartida de Plasencia, Toril, Serrejón,
Jaraicejo y Casas de Miravete. With one of the largest forests in Spain with over
1,400 different species of trees. A favourite with birdwatchers, the park has
the world's largest colony of black vultures and imperial eagles,
and is also home to colonies of black storks, eagle owls, black-shouldered kites,
grassland birds including great bustards, sandgrouse.... Camping is not allowed
in the park.
- Monumento natural Los Barruecos - curious rock formation.
 If
you wish to contact us or add any information to this guide to Caceres, please
write to us here.
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