The Silver Route

The Silver Route, which runs from Asturica Augusta (Astorga, León) to Emerita Augusta (Mérida, Badajoz), was one of the main roads which made up the backbone of communication in Hispania during the Roman Empire, crossing the peninsula from north to south.

The Extremadura section of the Silver Route is a beautiful route which passes through some of the most significant localities in the region.

The route starts in Monasterio where you can visit the Church of Santiago Apóstol. It then continues to Fuente de Cantos where you'll find one of the Silver Route Tourist Hostels.

Continuing through Medina de la Torres, a place of great importance during the Roman era in which it was placed the roman villa Contributa Iulia, you come to Zafra, one of the most beautiful historic sites in Extremadura and where a visit is a must. Then taking the Tower of San Francisco as a reference, head towards Santos de Maimona until you arrive at Villafranca de los Barros, a town which belonged to the Order of Santiago.

The route takes us through Torremejía, whose origins lie in the times when the Christians repopulated the lands which they had reconquered from the Moors, and where we can make a stopover to taste a good Ribera del Guadiana wine. Then on to Mérida, a must-see as a marvellous historic ensemble declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

And not far from Mérida on the road to Cáceres you should stop to enjoy the natural surroundings of the Cornalvo Nature Reserve. The route continues through Cascarralejo and Aljucén until you reach Casas de Don Antonio where you should visit the beautiful Basilica of Santa María del Trampal in nearby Alcúescar.

 And then through Aldea del Cano until you come to Cáceres, not without first visiting the ruins of the Castra Cecilia encampment on the outskirts, where a large part of the archaeological site has been recovered. The exceptional monumental ensemble of Cáceres, a city which has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, dates mostly from the 15th and 16th centuries.

On leaving Cáceres you take the road to Casar de Cáceres, famous for its cheese, and where you can try the delicious Torta del Casar, until you descend to the Alcántara Reservoir.

After passing through the town of Grimaldo, you will come to San Gil and Galisteo, places you really must visit, especially to see the superb Mudejar walls of the latter. From San Gil carry on to Carcaboso.

After Casa de Ventaquemada the road takes us to Cáparra, with its arch which is an unequivocal symbol of the city. Cáparra also has a Silver Route Interpretation Centre which you'll find helpful and will provide very useful information on the subject.

Then on to Aldeanueva del Camino, through the district of Valle de Ambroz, you take the road to Baños de Montemayor, famous for its thermal waters and which now has an excellent spa. You'll also find the Tourist Hostel of the Silver Route Interpretation Centre.

This is where the Extremadura section of the Silver Route finishes, and the way continues northwards towards Astorga.