About Trujillo - Culture and History

TRUJILLO, EXTREMADURA, SPAIN

Castle

Artistic Town View

Countryside

Perched on a hill some 570 metres above sea level, dominating an extensive plain punctuated with olive groves, between Extremadura's two major rivers the Tagus and the Guadiana, lie the Towers of Trujillo. Trujillo is crowned by its XthC Moorish Castle, built on Roman foundations with extensive ramparts and fortifications. The origins of this important city, with its dominant historical roots, go back six centuries before Christ.

In 1232 under Ferdinand III with the help of 3 main families, Altamirano, Bejerano and Anasco, Trujillo was finally reconquered from the Moorish occupation by the Christians. In 1432, King Juan II bestowed the town with the status of a City declaring it to be "The very Noble and Loyal City" in Spanish "Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad".

Despite Trujillo's important early medieval presence and rich origins, it is the architecture from the 15th. and 16th.Centuries which survive as the important monuments. Throughout time Trujillo and this part of Extremadura have been admired, photographed and illustrated. One example are the illustrations shown in the book "Days in Old Spain" by Gertrude Bone.

Many illustrious names have been linked to the history of Trujillo. Some of history's most distinguished figures were born within Extremadura. Examples of such great men are:-

Francisco Pizarro. ( 1471 -1541 )
A Conquistador born in Trujillo, founder of Lima and conqueror of the Incan empire of Peru in 1532 .First Marques de los Atabillos and second cousin to Hernan Cortes.

Hernan Cortes. ( 1485 - 1547 )
Born in Medellin a leading figure in the Spanish colonisation of the America's. He visited Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Honduras and was responsible for the fall of the Aztec Empire and the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

Diego Garcia Paredes. ( 1466 - 1534 )
Known as the Sampson of Extremadura; He founded the city of Trujillo in Venezuela.

Francisco de Orellana. ( 1511-1546 )
Discoverer of the Amazon. Trujillo will be celebrating Orellana's 500th Anniversary in 2011.

Nuflo de Chavez. ( 1518-1568 )
Founder of the town of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia.

Francisco de las Casas. ( 1464 -1536 )
He accompanied Christopher Columbus on voyages to the New World and was one of the first settlers in Mexico.

Francisco de Aguirre ( 1508 - 1581 )
Born in Talavera la Reina, honoured by Pope Clement VII after the battle of Pavia and the assault on Rome, who participated in the conquest of Chile. He later became Governor of Chile.

The legacy of the Conquistadors is emphasised by the abundant wealth of noble monuments and mansions throughout the city. In 1970 the State declared Trujillo as a "National Monument of Historic & Artistic Buildings" Conjunto historico-artistico.

The Conquistadors built magnificent residences constructed of the finest granite stone on their return to their native soil. These residences not only reflected their adventures abroad, but also portrayed the colonisation of South America. Some good examples are:

The 16thC Palacio de la Conquista, renaissance in design, built by Hernando Pizarro, Francisco Pizarro's brother. The property with its detailed stonework and statuary, illustrates the great wealth of the time and synergy with the conquest of Peru.
The Palacio de la Quintanilla with twisted rope columns was originally the house of weights & measures.

Casa de las Cadenas, house of the Chaves-Orellana family. The chain which hangs over the front door signifies a place of sanctuary. This honour was granted by Philip II in 1583. Attached to the rear of this house, is the Torre del Alfiler (pin tower)

The 16thC Palacio de los Duques de San Carlos features a plateresque facade, and the chimneys commemorate the varying styles of temples found in South America during the conquest.

16thC Palacio de Piedras Albas built with rich stone work showing one of the town's earliest examples of a Florentine style arched loggia built by Don Pedro Suarez de Toledo.

The Plaza Mayor, the city's impressive centre and focal point is filled with many elegant buildings including the Church of St. Martin which houses a glorious 18th C organ which is played during Sunday services. A prominent feature of the square is the elegant bronze sculpture of Francisco Pizarro (whose twin bronze is in Peru) mounted on horseback. This work executed by the North American artist Charles Rumsey emphasizes the importance of the conquistador's return to Spain from Latin America. The main square is considered to be one of the finest examples of 16th century Spanish Renaissance. This is a pedestrian area and parking is restricted.

Set above the main square is the medieval part of Trujillo known as the "Villa" (Roman town encompassed by a fortified wall) which is overlooked by the city's substantial Castle.

Drawing Room

Santa Maria at dusk

Pizarro

Terrace

The Villa portrays influences from the three cultures which have left their mark throughout the city, these being Roman, Muslim and Christian.

Winding up and passing through one of the three (originally seven) gothic gates the Arch of Triumph Arco de Triunfo : Arch of St James - Puerta de Santiago : Arch of St. Andrew - Puerta de San Andres, the visitor passes back in time through the narrow cobbled streets in the "Villa".

Here there are several 16th Century houses and noble palaces with semi fortified towers. Good examples are the Chaves-Mendoza palace, Altamirano and Bejarano strongholds, Escobar, Chaves-Calderon and Rol-Zarate y Zuniga semi fortified houses, to name but a few.

It is among these monuments that the birthplaces of Francisco Pizarro and Francisco de Orellana can be found. Also situated in the heart of the Villa is an example of Romanesque and fine Spanish gothic architecture, the Church of St. Mary : Santa Maria La Mayor. It is built over the remains of a Muslim mosque and incorporates a Roman tower known as la "Torre Julia" built as a tribute to Caesar.

The Santa Maria Church houses a magnificent reredos which consist of exquisite panels painted by the Castilian painter Fernando Gallego 1466 - 1507 (Flemish school). Throughout the ages the church, has been used for many important occasions, including the funeral service for King John II of Aragon in 1479 and was visited many times by the Catholic Monarchs Don Fernando de Aragon and Dona Isabel de Castilla. The floors and walls house the tombstones of many important, noble and illustrious families.

One can also visit the church of St. James, Iglesia de Santiago 13thC built by the knights of Santiago. Opposite the church is the 14thC Alcazar de Luis Chavez Viejo (fortified palace) defending the Arco de Santiago, which is where the treaty was signed by the Catholic Monarchs unifying the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon under a single crown. The kingdoms of Granada and Navarre were subsequently added to the crown.

Today, Trujillo is very much involved with future projects such as conserving the towns monuments " Conserva Trujillo" and is currently applying for inscription to UNESCO World Heritage - Patrimonio de la Humanidad, http://www.trujillo.es/

During your stay in Trujillo it is well worth while visiting:

The Castle and its defence systems, offering outstanding views and a seasonal open air theatre
The Roman Alberca (originally thought to be roman baths) whose water level is maintained by natural springs.
Moorish aljibe - cistern for the storage of rainwater
The Pizarro museum
The Costume museum. Museo del Traje
The Cheese and Wine museum at the lower end of the street called Margarita Iturralde.
The Bull Ring which hosts a multitude of events inculding Bullfights, Concerts & Fairs.

Adjacent to the Parador is the Carmelite monastery (closed order) who make delicious almond biscuits and a variety of cookies.
There is a public paying Car Park opposite the Post Office and several banks able to offer foreign exchange, the best in our opinion is the Banco Bilbao Viscaya.

The town's excellent location lend its self well as a base from which to make a day trip to the Roman Town of Merida, the important monastery of Guadalupe, the province's capital of Caceres and the national wildlife reserve of Monfrague. All are strongly recommended and ar within about 40 minutes drive from Trujillo. Full and detailed information is available from the Tourist Office.

No responsibility is taken for any error or mis-statement in these particulars, which do not constitute an offer or contract. No representation or warranty whatsoever is made or given either during negotiations, in particulars, or elsewhere and applicants should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of all information furnished to them.