Travelling from Salamanca to Caceres
I left Salamanca this morning with the sun shining, an appropriate way to say goodbye to this golden city, which I don’t believe I have previously mentioned is how this city is know as in Spain, as a result of the particular type of stone used in all the old building – as well as in som of the new ones- where this stone with the passing of time and the sun shining on it, thurs a golden color.
The bus trip to Caceres took just on 3 hours, leaving the region of Castilla and Leon driving south towards the region of Extremadura – passing through some very picturesque areas. We crossed a number of rivers, with the most significant being the river Tajo, a main river in he Iberian peninsula.
The Extremadura region of Spain has a number of national park with a variety of both wildlife and -flora and fauna-, which attracts many tourists from around the world to this area, as a result of its natural beauty. The area is also the home of the pig which produces the delicious jamón ibérico de bellota. Its called as a result of the pig raised free range and also feed bellotas – acorn.
I arrived in Caceres at around 1 pm today. As the bus station is a bit out of the old part of the city, where the Alfonso IX hotel is situated, it took me about 30 minutes to get to my accommodation for the next 2 days. Once settled there a nice lunch was the order of the day.
Caceres is a wonderfully kept medieval town, a walled town, with many palaces and other relics of this era.
As I was ready to embark on my usual trek around the different points of interest, siesta time interfered with my plans, meaning most of this palaces or other buildings ere closed till 17.30. So a visit to the tourist bureau was required to obtain more information. The only thing open at this time was the museum of Caceres. This was a great place to know about the history of this town.
The ciudad monumental – monumental city – had its origins as a city where the Visigoths once called home. It has many narrow lanes and cobbled stones, which have been here since the 15th century or earlier.
This afternoon a visited the following sites:
1- Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo
2- Museum of Caceres
3- Plaza Santa Maria
The palacio de los Golfines, which belonged to a prominent Caceres’family, the Golfins, is a fine example of a local palace which was constructed between the 14th and 20th centuries. It has many features and treasures within its walls. Special mention must be made of its many wall hangings and documents signed but the Reyes católicos- Catholics kings, as well as the interior chapel which is very ornate.
The Caceres Museum is not only very large -spreading over 12 buildings, but also it represent the only fully intact moorish castle in this area. Of special significance is its 12th century aljibe. It also has works by Spanish painters such as Picasso, Miro and El Greco.
Whilst there are a number of plazas in the old town, The Plaza Santa Maria is one of the most attractive, as it is surrounded on all sides by lanes and also the large gothic cathedral is situated on one of its sides.
As well as walking through many of its narrow cobbled streets. As I walk on this narrow lanes, I cannot but think about who was walking here in the 15th and 16th centuries, what were they doing at that time. These cobbled stones are witnesses to so many events, both happy and happy ones.
Although it is a few days since I have officially ended my Camino adventure, I feel that today, I have doing another Camino day, as I have possibly walked quite a few kilometers in this part of town. It also somewhat feels like a Camino, as I continue to see many pilgrims, who this time are doing the Via de la Plata.
At around 18.30 I head towards to Caceres train station, as my friend Pedro, whom I met at the university of New South Wales, is now living in Spain. Pedro is joining me for a week or so in my travels around Spain. I will also spend some time with him and Sílvia- his partner in Valencia and the Mediterranean coast, earlier next week.
The train from the Atocha station in Madrid arrives on times at 19.35. We decide to arranged all the train fares for the next few days, whilst we are at the Renfe station.
Once we arrive at the Alfonso IX Hotel, we go for a short stroll around the casco viejo – old town- before adjourning to a local restaurant for a light dinner. Pedro introduced me to the taste of a “clarita””, this being beer with a bit of lemonade. This is a local drink. It actually tasted OK, although i think I might continue to opt for a beer only in the future.
After dinner we decide to walk around the casco viejo to experience this beautiful place with the night lights. a great opportunity to take some photos.
Tomorrow Pedro has organized for us to join a tour of retired teachers, who will visit two historical buildings in the morning. looking forward to this visit.