Wednesday
Plasencia, the gateway to the fertile Jerte Valley, is our next stop. A strategic enclave on the Silver Route, it is a real treat. You will discover the remains of the medieval walls, its towers (21 of the 71 original towers have been preserved) and its gates, such as the Sol gate and the gate of Santa María. You’ll stroll around the Plaza Mayor, a bustling hub of life. In the tower of the City Hall you’ll find Abuelo Mayorga, an automaton built in the 13th century that is one of the symbols of the city. You will also find one of the most representative monumental complexes in the area, formed by the Romanesque Old Cathedral and the New Cathedral, whose surroundings offer beautiful spots. The medieval aqueduct of San Antón, the Episcopal Palace, the Palaces of the Marquises of Mirabel, Carvajal-Girón, Las Torres and the Convent of San Vicente Ferrer are other places of special interest in the city.
In the heart of this historic city, within the 15th-century monumental complex built by the Zúñiga and Pimentel families, stands the Convent of San Vicente Ferrer, now the Parador de Plasencia. You will be welcomed by an impressive building with vaulted ceilings, elegant stone walls and magnificent coffered ceilings, which, together with its exquisite decoration, will take you back to another era.
Just over 20 kilometres away, it would be unforgivable not to visit the Monfragüe National Park and its Biosphere Reserve, a true sanctuary for birdwatchers, home to Mediterranean forests and the most important species of Spanish fauna. Plasencia is also an excellent starting point for exploring the Hurdes, the Sierra de Gata mountains and the Jerte Valley, with its spectacular spring, when the cherry blossoms turn the valley bright white. Look out for its irresistible picota cherry liqueur!
Another recommendation to take into account, the Parador has an exclusive night bar housed in the old cellar of the convent, where you can relax and enjoy the evening in the best of atmospheres.