WEEKEND EXCURSIONS

A DAY OUT IN THE "SIERRA DE GATA"

The mountain range known as the “Sierra de Gata” lies to the north west of Extremadura. The fact that it on occasions borders on Portugal and the province of Salamanca adds to its attractiveness as we will find here both the region’s own traditions and those of other regions situated in what is known as “La Raya”, (the “Border”). This itinerary is designed in such a way that it allows us to discover magnificent examples of popular mountain architecture including many constructions which feature chestnut wood latticework. Some of the most important artistic and historic buildings date back to the Middle Ages and of particular note are the region’s castles and churches, artistically beautiful in appearance and of great historic importance.

                                            Sierra de Gata view

AN ITINERARY FOR TOURISTS

Our starting point for visiting this region, from neighbouring Coria or Moraleja, is Cilleros, a village situated in the foothills of the Sierra de Gata and renowned throughout Extremadura for its wines and vineyards. Amongst other buildings of interest, we can visit the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de los Apóstoles, the Casa Consistorial (Council House) or the so-called Casa Grande (Large House). We take the regional EX-205 road out of Cilleros until we spy an ancient Muslim fortress beneath which the village Trevejo spreads itself out. Declared a Property of Cultural Significance, the interior of this attractive village conserves an admirable and quite beautiful popular architecture typical of this mountain region.

Only a few kilometres away is Villamiel with its interesting and famous Palace of the Dean and its Parish Church of La Magdalena – on the walls we can make out many curious legends and popular phrases. We may admire the mountain scenery on route to San Martín de Trevejo where the locals are proud of their “mañegu” or “a fala de Xálama” dialect as is the case too in Eljas or in Valverde del Fresno. Here what is most of note is the area around its Plaza Mayor (Main Square) and its outstandingly beautiful arcades. The church of San Martín de Tours, the Convent and the Commander’s Palace are of great historic and artistic interest. This itinerary takes us to the westernmost part of the Sierra de Gata so that we can visit the village of Eljas where its 14th century church, reformed in later centuries, nestles amongst the houses. Also in the village is the Church de la Asunción, built between the 15th and the 16th centuries.

Leaving Valverde del Fresno we return to the regional EX-205 and drive to Hoyos, the faithful guardian of important buildings pertaining to the nobility. This was once the summer residence of the bishops of Coria and amongst its ecclesiastical buildings is the important Parish Church of Nuestra Señora del Buen Varón, constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries. Before crossing over to the eastern side of the Sierra de Gata we should visit the nearby village of Acebo which contains numerous examples of popular architecture and the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de los Angeles which was clearly artistically influenced during its construction.

A little further to the south and right on the road which links Moraleja and Ciudad Rodrigo it is well worth making a stop at the village of Perales del Puerto, situated in the heart of beautiful, rugged terrain where pine and oak trees abound and where we will find interesting buildings so characteristic and prevalent throughout this mountainous region. A building of particular interest is the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción which dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. We pick up the EX-203 again and head towards the eastern part of the Sierra de Gata to discover the town of Villasbuenas de Gata, with its ample Plaza Mayor (Main Square) in which the 16th century Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación stands out. Behind the church we will find some beautiful lancet windows and the famous and original Casa de la Mujer Panzuda (House of the Potbellied Woman).

In the distance we can make out Santibáñez el Alto which looks down on us from its superbly located natural watchtower and, at the very top of the village, its 11th century Muslim castle. Hernán Pérez, where two interesting Bronze Age steles were discovered, possesses two important examples of religious architecture: the 16th century Church of Santa María Magdalena and the 18th century Hermitage dedicated to Christ, Saint of Peace.

Two towns bordering onto the region of Las Hurdes are nearby Torrecilla de los Ángeles and Villanueva de la Sierra. In Torrecilla de los Ángeles, by the Tralgas River, there is an abundance of stonework buildings so typical in these mountains such as the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción which boasts a beautiful Mudejar façade in its presbytery. The locality of Villanueva de la Sierra, lying almost in the eastern foothills of the Sierra de Gata, acts as gateway to the neighbouring region of Las Hurdes. Within the village the 16th century Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is worthy of mention, particularly its altarpiece dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

We drive a few kilometres back along the C-513 until we reach the road that leads to Torre de Don Miguel where we can visit this typical Sierra de Gata village which contains important ecclesiastical buildings from the 16th century as is the case of the Casa de la Encomienda (House of the Trusteeship), the beautiful Renaissance Hermitage of Christ and with evident Gothic influences, its interesting and impressive Parish Church.

                                        Puente de Mayo en Gata

Towards the west we can discover nearby Gata, a village which contains both splendid examples of popular mountain architecture and other ecclesiastical buildings such as the important Parish Church of San Pedro and its superb major altarpiece by sculptor Pedro de la Paz. Not far away a natural pool set in a beautiful spot beside the Rivera de Gata reservoir serves as a natural introduction to one of the most welcoming camp sites in the north of Extremadura. We return towards Torre de Don Miguel to then drive to the mountain village of Cadalso, surrounded by the magnificent, lush vegetation which grows around the Árrago River. Once the temporary residence of King Alfonso IX, a great hunting enthusiast, Cadalso is laid out in a pleasant manner. Of particular note is the Parish Church of La Concepción and the Hermitage of Christ.

A few kilometres away over rugged countryside are the typical streets and alleyways of the village of Descargamaría with its 16th century Church of San Juan el Hospitalario and the Hermitages of the Santo Cordero and the la Hermitage of El Humilladero. Declared a Property of Cultural Significance, Robledillo de Gata is the last of the villages included in this itinerary and indeed it may well be one of the most attractive and picturesque in the entire Sierra de Gata. It sits in the shelter of forests and vineyards, amidst streams and springs of crystal clear water which later empty into the Árrago River.

GASTRONOMY

n authentic paradise for mushroom lovers in a good part of the autumn and winter, the Sierra de Gata region is home to a wide variety of wild mushrooms which the accomplished local chefs know how to serve up in mouth watering recipes. When it comes to traditional meat dishes, lamb and above all mountain goat stews and roasts are preferred, charcoal grills being particularly popular. There is a full range of cold meats, sausages and home-grown hams, magnificent olive oil – amongst the best in Extremadura – and cheese. The region is famous for its home made pastries such as the sweet egg and bread rolls from Descargamaría, the “pariah” sponge cakes of San Martín de Trevejo or the “canes” from Villamiel. The oranges growing in its numerous market gardens are excellent and without forgetting its liquors, the regional “pitarra” wine is ubiquitous, particularly in the localities of Cilleros, Valverde del Fresno, San Martín de Trevejo, Descargamaría or Robledillo de Gata.

HANDICRAFTS

Wrought iron work, gold carvings in Gata, basking weaving in San Martín de Trevejo and Cadalso, magnificent wood carvings in Valverde del Fresno, elaborate lace designs in Acebo.

FESTIVITIES

Of note are its ancestral Carnival festivities, its increasingly popular Easter celebrations and the curious “Capazo” in Torre Don Miguel.

NATURE AND COUNTRYSIDE

This is the kingdom of Oak and Pine which turn these lands into a green garden most of the year and especially in spring and summer. Autumn paints the abundant, beautiful forests with contrasting reds and browns and enormous quantities of Boletus Edulis and other species of wild mushrooms flourish.

Numerous market gardens are peppered all over the countryside and vast amounts and varieties of birds can be observed, many of them protected birds of prey nesting in the rocky mountains. The region enjoys a benign and gentle climate during the greater part of the year and in the days of summer clean rivers and natural pools create beautiful areas which just invite you in for a swim. From the mountain peaks the landscape is unforgettable and it is quite possible to see as far as other neighbouring regions. The Iberian Lynx is characteristic of this region.