In the province of Cáceres we find the city and municipality of Plasencia. It's known as the Pearl of the Jerte Valley, a place of great natural and cultural beauty.
It is a destination well worth visiting, which offers a wide range of tourist attractions that take in the history of the area and its spectacular natural scenery.
There are more than 39,000 "placentinos", as the inhabitants of Plasencia are called. They enjoy the life of a historic town, built around the River Jerte and full of interesting sights, sounds and smells.
What to see in Plasencia? As we've mentioned, this area on the Silver Route has a wonderful collection of monuments which have been awarded Asset of Cultural Interest status. They are located within the historic city walls.
If this town is famous for anything, it’s the spectacular Cathedral. What you see today is a palimpsest of both the 13th-century temple of Romanesque and Gothic design, including the Torre del Melón (Melon Tower), and the New Cathedral, which is in the Gothic Renaissance style and houses some important paintings and altarpieces.
Other must-see sights include the 15th-century Mirabel Palace and the Carvajal-Girón Palace, built a century later.
Strolling through its charming streets, you'll be able to see lots of monuments for free. You'll probably end up at the Town Hall in the Plaza Mayor, which is the scene of its most important festival: the Martes Mayor. This annual celebration commemorates the founding of the city on the site where the market is located at other times of the year. Another important festival is Easter Week, which is celebrated with great fervour.
In addition to these monuments there are many others, such as the Plaza de la Cruz Dorada, next to the river, or the Torre Lucia, which is located on the city wall.
After so much sightseeing, you're bound to be hungry, so it's a good idea to try some of the traditional dishes in one of the many restaurants in the Plaza Mayor.
As for more ancient history, we recommend a visit to the archaeological site of Cueva del Boquique, located on the outskirts of the city, where the remains of the famous Boquique pottery can be found.
If Plasencia alone isn't enough for you, there are many charming villages nearby that you can also visit, such as Malpartida de Plasencia, Oliva de Plasencia or Cabezabellosa.
To get to know everything this city has to offer, there is nothing better than spending a few days in one of the holiday cottages in the area.
