Plasencia is among the oldest towns of the Extremadura region of Spain.
Understand
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Following centuries of habitation, the town was formally incorporated in 1186 under the orders of King Alfonso VIII of Spain. It was on the frontlines of the Reconquista and, following a brief occupation by the Almohads, became diverse with Christians, Jews, and Muslims living in the town. In the 13th and 14th centuries, persecution of non-Christians increased with the rising fortunes of Christian armies.
The town would not resume its growth until the 15th century, when the establishment of a university brought a significant student population. By the early 16th century, Plasencia had formed a league with neighboring cities to purchase voting rights in the Spanish court, in the process leading to the creation of the Extremadura province.
But as in other parts of Spain, Plasencia was weakened by war. Although the town emerged from its 15th-century conflicts with a powerful position in the monarchy, the Napoleonic Wars decimated it and its inhabitants. Plasencia did not recover until the 20th century, when tourism to its historical sites restored its position as a significant town within the Extremadura region.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]The highway A66 bypasses Plasencia to its west, connecting Cáceres to its south with Salamanca to its north. EX-A1 bypasses to the south. N630 and EX-370 connect the major highways to the town.
By train
[edit]- 1 Plasencia Station, C. Estación. Operated by Renfe, the station was originally opened in 1893. On the southwestern side of town, west of the river.
Get around
[edit]The historic part of the city, surrounding Plaza Mayor and within the old city walls, is walkable. Only the outer, modern parts of the city, which tourists are less likely to visit, may require a car, but even those areas are reasonably compact. The main streets of the town go to the cathedral square and Plaza Mayor, and are pedestrianized.
By bus
[edit]The city's bus routes website includes a detailed, live map of its three routes. Line 2 includes a bus station at the Plasencia Train Station.
See
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- 1 Aqueduct of Plasencia, C. arcos de San Antón. Built in the 16th century to replace the town's original aqueduct, and to the northeast of Plaza Mayor and the old town. Much of it remains in excellent condition, and Av. Salamanca passes underneath one of the intact parts. A park at the junction of Salamanca and San Antón provides a view of the aqueduct.
- 2 Old Cathedral of Plasencia (Plasencia Cathedral Museum). The cathedral was built from the 13th to 15th centuries and forms the core of the town's historic district. The cathedral's interior is a museum with exhibits of paintings, sculptures, and religious relics.
- 3 Palacio de los Marqueses de Mirabel, Pl. de San Vicente Ferrer. Built in the 15th century and designated as a cultural point of interest in 1977.
- 4 Plaza Mayor. The main square, between two churches (San Martin and San Estaban). Shops and restaurants surround the square.
- 5 Puente de San Lázaro, Av. del Río Jerte. Historic bridge and checkpoint on the River Jerte.
Do
[edit]- 1 Multicines Alkazar, Cañada Real, ☏ +34 927 423 537, [email protected]. Cinema with showings of famous films, including some of American origin.
- 2 Teatro Alkazar, C. Cruz de Santa Ana, ☏ +34 927 425 269. Theater in the northeastern part of the town with over 700 seats. Hours are variable, depending upon performances.
Parks
[edit]- 3 La Isla (Parque de La Isla). Island park on the River Jerte. Parking is available on the western bank of the river, on Av. Del Valle, because driving is not allowed on the island.
- 4 Parque de los Pinos, Av. de la Hispanidad. Botanical garden with model village and Spanish Civil War memorial. Parking is available at the entrance to the garden. Free.
- 5 Parque del Cachon. On the south bank of the river. A kiosk for events provides an excellent view of the historical town centre.
Buy
[edit]- 1 La Puerta de Tannhäuser, Rúa Zapatería, 22, ☏ +34 927 411 797, [email protected]. Independent bookstore with a further location in Cáceres and online. Also has children's bookstores and reading rooms.
Eat
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Restaurants are concentrated in the historical center surrounding Plaza Mayor.
- 1 Bocatería Elfo's, C. Patalón, 26, ☏ +34 927 421 901. Hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and other small dishes at low prices.
- 2 Restaurante Gredos, Plaza Mayor, 4, ☏ +34 927 42 07 35. Right on the plaza, with outdoor seating.
- 3 Restaurante Los Monges, Sor Valentina Mirón, 24, ☏ +34 927 420 808. A bar and restaurant serving pork and seafood entrees followed by dessert courses.
- 4 Panino's, Calle los Quesos, 8, ☏ +34 927 552 692. Specializes in bocadillos, perritos, hamburgers, potatoes, salads, sandwiches, and sweets.
- 5 Succo, C. Vidrieras, 7, ☏ +34 92741 29 32. Upscale, modern cuisine. Also hosts events.
Drink
[edit]- 1 El Rincón de Amador, Rincón de San Esteban, 14, ☏ +34 927 41 30 21, [email protected]. Gastropub and restaurant serving local cuisine.
- 2 Temtempie Gastrobar, Santa María, 13, ☏ +34 927 41 7364. Also serves a diverse range of foods. Operates differing winter and summer hours.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Casa de las Argollas, C. Jardines, 2, ☏ +34 654 376 108, [email protected]. Tourist apartments for rent with terraces, kitchens, and typical apartment size of 190 square metres.
- 2 Hostal Goyesco Plaza, Vinagras, 14, ☏ +34 927 415 374. One block from Plaza Mayor.
- 3 Hotel Rincón Extremeño, C. Vidrieras, 8. Offers single or double rooms with modern interior. The hotel was founded in 1930.
- 4 La Muralla, C. Berrozana, 6, ☏ +34 927 41 38 74, [email protected]. Simple (but adequate) rooms in the historic district of the town.
Connect
[edit]Cope
[edit]- 1 Plasencia Turismo, C. San Calixto 10, ☏ +34 601 60 47 60, [email protected]. Local tourism bureau.
Go next
[edit]- Cáceres to the south is a city of similar size with historic and cultural points of interest.
- Trujillo to the southeast is the site of the world's largest annual cheese fair.
- Valle del Jerte is a rural valley to the northeast of Plasencia.