WEEKEND EXCURSIONS

A DAY OUT IN LA VERA, DEPARTING FROM PLASENCIA

La Vera is a region halfway between the Jerte Valley and Campo Arañuelo in Extremadura, bordering on the province of Ávila. Here we will find magnificent examples of popular architecture and some of the best instances of latticework in all Extremadura. In these villages it is common to witness a splendid blending of local architecture and the water which runs down both streets and ravines.

There is abundant, attractive vegetation, typical of this region’s countryside. In nearly each and every month of the year it is blessed with extraordinary hues, particularly from spring to autumn. The area is particularly privileged to have so much water everywhere, a source of natural beauty and of great enjoyment for sports lovers and bathers.

History impregnates many of the villages and monuments of La Vera, in particular the famed Yuste Monastery in which King Charles V chose to spend his final years, or the Castle Palace of the Condes de Oropesa in Jarandilla de la Vera.

                                            Yuste Monastery

AN ITINERARY FOR TOURISTS

The road we use during this itinerary is the EX203 which takes us from Plasencia to the La Vera village of Madrigal de la Vera, close to the border with the province of Ávila.

The first locality we come to in our route is Gargüera, a fine example of a mountain village on the road to the Tormantos Mountain Range. Of all its buildings the 15th century stone Parish Church de la Asunción is the most outstanding. Close by is Barrado, lying in the midst of plantations of cherry trees and beautiful countryside teeming with chestnuts and oaks - the most common trees in this region. The Church is dedicated to San Esteban.

Barely a few kilometres separate us from Arroyomolinos de la Vera where we can discover the famous ravine known as “La Desesperada”. In the village’s “Plaza de España” square stands the Parish Church of San Nicolás, built in stone in the 15th and 16th centuries. The major altarpiece dates back to the 18th century.

Constructed on the slopes of the southern reaches of the Tormantos Mountain Range, in all probability an area settled by the Celts in the days before the Romans, we can visit the village of Pasarón de la Vera which boasts the 16th century Palace of the Condes de Osorno and the 15th century Church del Salvador which contains interesting Baroque altarpieces. From Pasarón we drive down the EX-203 through the typical white houses of the La Jara village of Tejeda de Tiétar and its 16th century Gothic style Church of San Miguel. The village’s aniseed pastries, known as “perrunillas”, are famous throughout the area.

A few kilometres down the same road, quite close now to Jaraíz, we come to Torremenga where prehistoric and Roman architectural remains have been discovered. Some canvases from the walls of the village's medieval castle have been conserved. Throughout the village there are typical beamed arcades set on pillars of granite. The Parish Church of Santiago dates back to the 18th century. Two kilometres away we come upon Jaraíz de la Vera, the most important town in the entire La Vera region. In the oldest part of the village is the magnificent Church of Santa María which possesses a beautiful Romanesque portico and has been declared a Historic and Artistic Monument. It dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Other interesting ecclesiastical buildings are the Parish Church of San Miguel which is from the 15th and 16th centuries and Bishop Manzano’s Mansion, a fine example of 18th century Extremadura civic architecture.

On the road to Cuacos de Yuste we come upon the biggest natural lake in the area, known as La Garganta de Pedro Chate gorge, an ideal nature spot for swimming and resting. Nearby although a little away from the EX203 is the small but attractive village of Collado and its interesting 15th century Church of San Cristóbal built with hewn stones and brick.

From Jaraíz de la Vera we take a detour now along the C-501 with a view to discovering the Garganta la Olla gorge at the bottom of one of the slopes of the Tormantos mountain range. Amidst lush greenery and trees, its outstandingly clean, crystal clear waters help to give it a quite unique appearance. The village, declared a Historic and Artistic Site, possesses historically fascinating civic architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries and an admirable Plaza Mayor (Main Square). The 16th century Church of San Lorenzo possesses a Renaissance style tower and amongst the houses we may contemplate typical La Vera architecture.

This locality is connected by a highly recommendable road which wends its way through forests and quite magnificent landscapes towards the Yuste Monastery and Cuacos de Yuste. However we can also reach this village by taking the EX203 from Jaraíz. Built in the 15th century, Yuste Monastery was where King and Emperor Charles V chose to spend his last years. Some 2 kilometres from Cuacos de Yuste, it rests amidst woods, small streams and a most impressive tranquillity. The Emperor’s Palace can be visited in the morning and in the evening. The Monastery also possesses cloisters, a church and well conserved Gothic style religious architecture. There is admirable popular architecture in Cuacos de Yuste as well as fountains and a beautiful porticoed Plaza Mayor (Main Square). The village conserves the famous birthplace of John of Austria, known as “Jerome”, the natural born son of Emperor Charles V. La Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dates back to the 16th century.

Just a few kilometres along the EX-203 we come to Aldeanueva de la Vera, renowned for its production of paprika and for the Cuacos and San Gregorio Ravines - the latter is the site of a Roman bridge. Of particular interest in the village is the home of the famous 16th century theologian Bishop Godoy, built with stone from a local quarry, and also the 16th century Parish Church of San Pedro Apóstol with its popular architecture which must rate amongst the most interesting in the entire region.

On our way to Jarandilla de la Vera we take another mountain detour to visit a pleasant village which for a considerable part of the year is covered in snow. We refer to Guijo de Santa Bárbara, the highest village in La Vera, set right in the middle of the mountain from which a number of beautiful ravines flow downstream. Guijo has conserved interesting examples of popular La Vera architecture, particularly its Parish Church of Nuestra Señora del Socorro which dates back to the 17th century. We drive downhill now towards Jarandilla de la Vera which lies in one of the most outstanding parts of La Vera. Here we can see the Castle of the Condes de Oropesa where Charles V lived for a time prior to setting up residence in Yuste. Built in the mid fifteen hundreds, this castle is now a “Parador de Turismo” (State run hotel). Of the numerous examples of ecclesiastical architecture the most important is the 14th century Church of Nuestra Señora de la Torre, the 17th century Augustinian Recollects Convent and the 17th century Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Sopetrán. The Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is the scene of the famous Festivity of the “Escobazos” (broom strokes) held on the night of the 7th of December and declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction. Close by is the spectacular Jaranda Ravine.

                   Festivity of the “Escobazos” (broom strokes)

Also not far away is Losar de la Vera, set in a typical region of transition between the Tormantos Mountain Range and the Tiétar River Valley and where we may discover ravines and natural pools such as Cuartos or Vadillo. The 16th century Parish Church of Santiago Apostól possesses an undeniably beautiful Spanish-Flemish Gothic portico. The C-501 passes through the village and is edged with typical and beautiful ornamental gardens.
Robledillo de la Vera is a good way away from Losar de la Vera along the C-501, set amongst rolling countryside. It is a magnificent natural viewpoint over the Gredos Mountains and the Tiétar Valley. Its 16th century Church of San Miguel has been declared a Historic and Artistic Monument whilst other typically “La Vera” buildings are also of interest, with their arcades and jutting balconies - the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is a god example. The Cuartos Ravine is very close by.

Once more on the EX203 we now come to Viandar de la Vera. Situated on one of the slopes of the Tormantos Mountains, it is considered one of the best kept La Vera villages as far as popular architecture is concerned. The 16th Century Parish Church of San Andrés was constructed with stone work and some granite masonry. Next on our itinerary and not at all far away we come to Talaveruela de la Vera, half way up to the La Vera mountains, just beside the Gredos mountain range, the Tiétar River flows by and forms part of this village’s beautiful landscape.
In the village there is an interesting porticoed square and a granite fountain very typical of La Vera, surrounded by terracotta and wooden constructions covered with flower-strewn balconies.

Also nearby is the Historic and Artistic Site of Valverde de la Vera which every Easter Thursday celebrates a most interesting and spectacular Festivity of “Los Empalaos” (the “Impaled”) which has also declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction. The village’s popular architecture is amongst the best in the entire region, particularly its Plaza Mayor (Main Square) with its famous Fountain “de los Cuatro Caños” (the Four Spouts), the Castle of Nuño Pérez or the “Rollo Picota” (pillory stone) monument. The 15th century Parish Church is known as the “Fuentes Claras”, the (Clear Fountains).

A few kilometres from Valverde we come to Villanueva de la Vera, known mainly both for the beauty of its popular buildings – in particular the magnificent Plaza Mayor (Main Square), and for its “El Peropalo” Festivity which is held during Carnival and has been declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction. The ancient centre of Villanueva de la Vera has been declared a Historic and Artistic Site whilst its stone Church of La Concepción dates back to the 16th century.

Madrigal de la Vera borders onto the Castilian province of Ávila and the Gredos Mountains, which makes it the southern gateway to this region. Traditional architecture abounds and there are beautiful buildings with magnificent balconies and wooden eaves. The voluminous Parish Church of San Pedro Apóstol dates back to the end of the 15th century and has been restored.

Not very far from the village is one of the most beautiful and sizable ravines and natural ponds in the entire north of Extremadura, the Alardos River crossed by an impressive, single spanned and possibly Roman bridge.

GASTRONOMY

Magnificent trout and mountain goat dishes abound. The region’s paprika is renowned and amongst the abundant local liqueurs we should mention a schnapps called “Gloria” (Glory) and others made from cherries or raspberries and so on. Nor should we forget the celebrated “tasajo”, a dish made with mountain goat and paprika. In nearly every village we will find home made pastries.

                                            Paprika from la Vera

HANDICRAFTS

Beautiful embroidery. Cabinet making, wrought iron and leather.

FESTIVITIES

The region has three Festivities which have been declared of interest as Extremadura Regional Tourist Attractions. “El Peropalo”, celebrated during Carnival in Villanueva de la Vera; “Los Escobazos” on the night of the 7th of December in Jarandilla de la Vera and “Los Empalaos” in Valverde de la Vera during the night of Easter Thursday and the early hours of Easter Friday.

NATURE AND COUNTRYSIDE

Most of the region is blessed with an excellent microclimate which results in incredibly beautiful landscapes all year round.

The crystal clear ravines form beautiful natural pools, most welcome for a swim in the summertime and a magnificent habitat for lots of trout. As well as a wealth of autochthonous flora, the region and the slopes of the neighbouring mountain ranges have a proliferation of a wide variety of birds of prey. There is an abundance of mountain goats and wild boars.