As the heat wasn’t over jet, we spent two nights at the dam just north of Plasencia, before we made our way into town. Besides of some cows, we had the lake to ourselves, could go for a swim and relax in the shade of our car.
But finally the temperatures had dropped a little, and we were heading into town. There is a big parking called La Isla, from where escalators take you up to the centre.
First we came through streets full of shops, many selling the typical treats of the Extremadura: ham, cheese, wine, cherry products and the smoked paprika we like so much.
Past the Plaza Mayor, we reached the palace of the Marqués de Mirabel. Nobody was in residence, so we could visit part of the old palace.
The Mirabel Palace was built in the 15th-century on the initiative of the first Dukes of Plasencia. It has a large Renaissance courtyard, built on two floors with semicircular arches and decorated with the coats of arms of the noble house of Zúñiga-Mirabel.
with a chestnut ceiling from the 16th century
At the rear of the building is a striking Plateresque balcony, unique in the city.
It was Saturday and many of the churches were prepared for weddings. The “New” Cathedral was closed for that reason, but we could visit the Old Cathedral next to it.
In 1189, by request of Alfonso VIII, Plasencia was declared head of dioceses by Pope Clement III and work on a Romanesque Cathedral started shortly after. In the 15th century, the Dioceses decided to build a grand Gothic Cathedral in the same site, demolishing the old cathedral as the new one was being built. Work started in 1498 and continued until the 18th century, when, with only the Sanctuary and the Transept of the New Cathedral finished, the project was abandoned leaving behind a somewhat odd result, as most of the Nave of the Old Cathedral, its cloister and its unique Octagonal Tower is still attached to the New Cathedral.
At the clock tower of the town hall stands Grandfather Mayorga, considered a symbol of the city.
Before we left Plasencia, we used the laundry next to our parking to get the washing done. It was already very hot again, and we were grateful of the air con when we finally drove away. Our route took us into the valley of the Jerte river, which is the cherry valley of Spain. In spring 1.5 million cherry trees are in bloom, which must be a lovely sight.
We stopped in Navaconcejo to use the free camper facilities, but drove on with the idea to go up a pass to stop there for the cooler temperatures. The Jerte valley was lovely, with its terraces full of cherry trees, reminding us somehow of the Wachau in Austria.
When we drove up to the Puerto de Honduras at 1440 metres, we came into a huge area where a fire had raged just last month. Everything up here was burned to the ground, a very sad sight. We therefore didn’t stop at the pass but drove on to Hervás – more next!