More Plasencia

A little more about Plasencia in western Spain, in the province of Cáceres, in the north of the Extremadura region where we spent two nights - and some random photos. It was very quiet in Plasencia and we never heard a word of English spoken by anyone other than the hotel staff. If you want to see things without hordes of other tourists, this is the time.

One of the city’s main features, the double line of walls, with six gates and 68 towers dates to 1197. The Alcázar unfortunately was demolished in 1941.

i have never seen an olive tree pruned like this!

Like many places we have been to in Spain, there was a vibrant Jewish community at one time, located right around where we were comfortably housed in the old monastery, now a 4 star parador. At the end of the 13th century, the Charter of Plasencia was created, allowing the Christian, Muslim and Jewish people to live peacefully together within the city. At the end of the 14th century, a Jewish community of around 50 families lived in Plasencia's Mota neighbourhood, around the synagogue. Jews and Muslims were a key component of the small population base in the town throughout the 15th C. Then came the expulsion decree in the 15th C. that destroyed Jewish communities in so many places in Spain.

In 1446, the first university in Extremadura was installed in Plasencia, and apparently everyone from the surrounding areas who could afford to study in the university moved to Plasencia.

During the Peninsular War, Plasencia became a strategic location for French troops. French soldiers took control of Plasencia 12 times by forcible means destroyed many buildings and killed many of the inhabitants.

During the Spanish Civil War, the military uprising of 1936 led by Franco rapidly swept Plasencia. The Nationalist forces took control of the city easily, and as a result, the Republican prisoners were forced to build one of the city’s most famous parks, the Parque de Los Pinosto. Near the park is the remains of a 16th C. aqueduct, locally called Arcos de San Antón.

Plasencia has a complex of two cathedrals, the Catedral Vieja (old cathedral) and the Catedral Nueva (new cathedral). The old Romanesque cathedral was built just after the city was founded in the 12th century, but work carried on until the 14th century. Then in the 15th century, the Dioceses decided to build a grand Gothic Cathedral in the same site, demolishing the old cathedral as the new one was being built. Work started in 1498 and by the 16th century, standard Renaissance elements had been added. Work continued until the 18th century, when, with only parts of the New Cathedral finished, the project was abandoned leaving behind a somewhat odd result.

We walked a long way along the Jerte River one day to see the various old bridges. There are two old 15th C bridges, the older, shorter Puenta de San Lazaro near the historic centre and the Puente Nuevo or “New” Bridge.

There is no informational signage at all regarding the one closest to the old town and it was really sad to see the amount of garbage along the river bank. It looked like there were a couple of living structures under the bridge as well and I read that there are drug use issues in the adjoining neighbourhood that preclude this being highlighted as an historic attraction. Such a lovely old bridge.

I saw this unusual bird on the river that I have yet to identify.

We also went to the Parque de Los Pinosto to see the 16th C aquaduct that replaced the original 12th C one that brought water to the newly founded city. This park is dedicated to bird life it seems. I have never seen so many peacocks!

And near the park was the first memorial to victims of Covid that I have ever seen. We were told last year that it was a dreadful time in Spain with so many people in small apartments, especially during the heat of the summer.

There was a very large market one morning in the main square. Beautiful fruits and vegetables and lots of veggie starts for sale. It is spring here for sure. I bought a few useful things from this one friendly guy.

Our last night in Plasencia, we went down to the little bar in the monastery for a drink. An inexpensive glass of wine in this kind of grand surrounding is a memorable experience!

The time had come to move on so I’ll leave you with a few more photos of our monastery accommodation. And one of our departure from the hotel’s underground parkade, which involved a car elevator for the bikes!

.