Trujillo, Cáceres, Extremadura {Part I of III}

Oh what a week it had been! Two public holidays in a row dampened by bad weather and the recent strike by air traffic controllers here in Madrid. Whatever. I was not about to let any of that ruin my holidays!

So earlier this week, I decided to head west (by car of course and with my trusty hooded parka), to the parts of Extremadura that I've yet to explore. My first stop was at Trujillo in the province of Cáceres.

Trujillo is a small city known for being the birth place of mighty conquerors and explorers. Examples include Franciso Pizarro, the man who defeated the Inca empire of Peru, another being Alonso de Monroy who was involved in the conquest of Chile, and also Fransico de Orellana who sailed the length of the Amazon River.

The beauty of Trujillo lies in its spacious main square, Plaza Mayor, as well as the many stately palaces belonging to noble families that are scattered all around it.



Above & below: Plaza Mayor




Above: The split level Plaza Mayor, with the equestrian statue of Franciso Pizarro


Above: The Palacio Marqueses de la Conquista, emblazoned by the coat of arms
of Francisco Pizarro


Above: Palacio de Chaves


Above: The Palacio de Los Duques de San Carlos with a corner balcony, coat of arms of the Vargas-Carvajal family, and elegant tuscan columns.

Apart from discovering the grand, ancient residences of Trujillo's nobilities, the best reward from wandering around the narrow alleyways is to stumble upon something unexpected, like at Calle de Hospitalillo.


Above: Calle de Hospitalillo - the flower pot alley!


Above: Plaza de Toros

As I climbed further up the cobblestoned streets to get to the Church of Santa María la Mayor, I was treated to a gorgeous view, overlooking Plaza Mayor.


Above: View of Plaza Mayor from higher ground


Above: The 15th century, Gothic Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor


Above: The Romanesque bell towers of Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor


Above: Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco






Above: Iglesia de Santiago


Above: The masonry defensive walls of the Arabic Castle, situated on the Cabeza de Zorro hill.


Above: The old Arabic Castle that was built over Roman foundations, situated on the highest part of the city.

Above: View of the landscape from the Castle



Next, not too far away from Trujillo, I visited another town that contains an important monument that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.