WEEKEND EXCURSIONS

A DAY OUT IN CAMPO ARAÑUELO

Campo Arañuelo is situated to the northwest of Extremadura and is a natural gateway from the transportation networks of Madrid and Toledo – the A-5 motorway passes through this region. The region borders on La Vera to the north and Los Ibores to the southwest whilst to the southeast lies the Monfragüe National Park.

AN ITINERARY FOR TOURISTS

We begin our itinerary in Campo Arañuelo in Navalmoral de la Mata, the region’s capital and its principal commercial centre. Amongst its historic buildings mention should be made of its renaissance style Parish Church of San Andrés and on the outskirts, the ancient Church of Santa María de la Mata. The town’s Carnival celebrations are famous throughout the region and have been declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction.

From here we drive to Peraleda de la Mata, close to the Valdecañas reservoir which takes its water from the nearby River Tagus. Further to the east we can visit El Gordo which has an interesting church in which we can admire a beautiful ceramic Vía Crucis and Berrocalejos, where we may contemplate the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios. Off now to the east we come upon Valdehúncar, Millanes and somewhat more to the south Belvis de Monroy and its 13th century fortress.

                                      Belvís de Monroy Castle

Not far from Belvís we can admire the beautiful Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de the Berrocal. We cross the Tagus to visit Valdecañas del Tajo which possesses some magnificent natural areas such as the Descernacabras Ravine. Continuing along the A-5 we can visit the village of Casas de Miravete.

We have to go back the way we came now, to visit a place called Almaraz although before doing so we can make a brief detour to visit the villages of Romangordo and Higuera. Once we reach Almaraz we can visit its Parish Church of San Andrés and the majestic bridge over the Tagus. We now come to Saucedilla which has an attractive square and nearby the generous proportions of the Parish Church of San Juan Bautista. In Casatejada we will find an important ecclesiastical building which has been declared a National Monument. We refer to the Parish Church of San Pedro ad Vincula.

From Casatejada we can visit Serrejón, a village set amongst oak groves near the limits of the Monfragüe National Park. In the vicinity there are schematic cave paintings. We cross the Tiétar River and enter the region of La Vera to visit the village of Talayuela which contains an interesting ecclesiastical building, the Parish Church of San Martín.

GASTRONOMY

Lamb and mountain goat stews and roasts. Extremeño “cocido” (a boiled meat dish and chickpeas) and gazpacho. Lamb or veal kidneys in Navalmoral de la Mata. Cold meats in Peraleda de la Mata, Serrejón, Talayuela, Valdehúncar and Casatejada. Ham in Navalmoral de la Mata and Saucedilla.

HANDICRAFTS

Ceramic and pottery workshops and blacksmiths in Casatajeda. Wood work in Navalmoral de la Mata and Casatejada. Farm handicrafts in Talayuela, Valdehúncar and Peraleda de la Mata. Textile handicrafts in Saucedilla and Navalmoral de la Mata.

FESTIVITIES

San Blas in Romangordo, Casatejada and Valdehúncar del Tajo. Navalmoral de la Mata’s Campo Arañuelo Carnival celebrations are famous and have been declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction. The Feast of the Angel in Valdehúncar, in January. The Nuestra Señora de Rocamador procession (“Romería”) on the first Sunday of May in Almaraz. Bull and heifer running in Rosalejo in August and September.

                                    Navalmoral de la Mata Carnival

NATURE AND COUNTRYSIDE

Campo Arañuelo is rugged terrain and as such it is a pastureland kingdom where enormous oak groves grow. The riverside thickets are the preferred habitat for the region’s interesting fauna and birds of prey abound. So too do species which are popular amongst local hunters.

Spring brings to the region an explosion of colour in the scrublands, the mountain ranges, the riversides and the Valdecañas reservoir. The Valdecañas reservoir adds a special touch to the landscape in a good part of this itinerary - its banks are a popular haven for the water birds and the various migratory birds which set up home here. It is one of the best fishing areas in northwest Extremadura.
The Monfragüe National Park lies to the southwest of the region.