, Fiestas, Nightlife and History of Trujillo Spain

Rental Properties in the Heart of Spain

Culture - History | Fiestas | Nightlife

Culture - History

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

Main Square

Palacio de Piedras

Castle Entrance

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 Hernán Cortes.

• Hernán Cortés. ( 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 histórico-artístico.

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 .

Palacio de la Conquista

Pizarro Statue

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 Suárez 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. A prominent feature of the square is the elegant bronze sculpture of Francisco Pizarro (whose twin 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 in Spain. 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.

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".

Santa Maria La Mayor

View

Here there are several 16th Century houses and Noble Palaces with semi fortified towers. Good examples of these medieval palaces and fortified manor houses are the Chaves-Mendoza palace, Altamirano and Bejarano strongholds, Escobar, Chaves-Calderon and Rol-Zarate y Zuñiga 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 know 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 c.1640 (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 Chaves 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.

Bullring

Medieval Fair

Horse Drawn Carraige

Today, Trujillo 250 kms from Madrid by motorway, is the principal commercial centre for this predominantly agricultural region. Trujillo hosts annual Agricultural fairs, the prestigious National cheese festival, a horse breeding, book and medieval fair.

Trujillo is even better known for its traditional costumed dancing during Easter week accompanied by folkloric music. In the summer, numerous typical fiestas are also staged. These events have been declared of National tourist interest. 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,

The town's excellent location lends itself 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 wild life reserve of Monfrague.
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 almost opposite the Travel Agent Viajes Halcon
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.
In this vicinity 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.

Easter Week (Semana Santa)

The week leading up to Easter is celebrated by processions around the town accompanied by drums on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The processions culminate on Good Friday with local people dressing in special costumes who follow ornate floats.

On Easter Sunday the local people dress in bright colourful costumes and dance the “Jota” with a live band in the main square.

Easter Week

Easter Processions

Cheese Festival

Cheese Festival

The National Spanish Cheese Festival is held in the main square and takes place in early May every year. Many hundred’s of cheeses from all over Spain are displayed for tasting and purchase.

Medieval Market

Again, held in the main square. Stalls are set up selling various traditional local products ranging from jewellery to herbs and spices. The stall sellers are dressed in medieval costume. Donkey rides are available for children and often rare animals are displayed.

Cabezudos, 15th August

Huge giants on stilts appear in the main square with papier mâche masks. They throw sweets to the children.

Medieval Market

Virgen de la Victoria Procession

Salve, first weekend of September

Celebrating the patron saint of Trujillo, the Virgin Mary dedicated to Christian Victory, is carried in a procession from the castle to the main square. In the evening all the main square lights are dimmed and the town’s people sing a hymn called the Salve in the virgin’s honour. Shortly afterwards there is a spectactular fireworks display.

Castle Plays, early summer

Open air plays are staged in the castle available for public viewing.

Castle Plays

FunFair

The Feria

At the beginning of May a fun fair is staged in the town offering many rides and stalls.

Restaurants

There are numerous excellent restaurants and bars of varying prices generally dotted about, but principally located in the main square.

Three restaurants we would recommend are:

Corral del Rey Restaurant

“El Corral del Rey” restaurant trujillo just by the farmacia Solis in the main square.

“Bizcocho” restaurant trujillo on the main square.

Bizcocho Restaurant

Parador Restaurant

The Parador restaurant trujillo

Calle Santa Beatriz de Silva.

The NH hotel, the Isla del Gallo and Dos Orillas also have good restaurants.

“NH Restaurant” on the main square.

NH Hotel Restaurant

Dos Orillas

Posada Dos Orillas

Calle Victoria

Rioja & Ribera del Duero red wines are excellent value, lamb and beef dishes are typical of this region.

Bars

There are many vibrant bars surrounding the main square which offer delicious “tapas”

Just off the main square is Calle Garcia which has many bars and several night clubs:
We recommend:

-	Carbonera
-	Abadia - well worth a visit offering outdoor seating during the summer months with a view of the castle which is illuminated. Open until the early hours of the morning.

Gastronomy

Main Square by Night

Jamon Iberico

General

Shops open from 10.00 hrs to 14.00 hrs and 17.30 until 20.30.

Restaurants do not serve dinner until 21.00 hrs.

Everybody has a siesta in the afternoon.

Bird watching tours and horse Riding can be arranged. Ask at the tourist office for more information.

If you are a keen golfer there is a golf course near Caceres at the Caceres Golf Hotel, Carretera de Merida.

In Spain it is customary to take an evening walk or promenade due to the pleasant temperature at this time of the day. Walks around the town reveal fantastic views much appreciated by artists and photographers.

Photos by kind permission of Chuty.

Outside Trujillo (Day Trips)

Trujillo is situated at the centre of several interesting places to visit. All strongly recommended within about 40 minutes drive from Trujillo, these are listed below. Full and detailed information is available from the Tourist Office.

Merida – Caceres – Guadalupe – Monfrague Wildlife Park.

We have at our visitors disposal a reliable driver called “Izmael” with a small modern (8 seater - air conditioned) bus who provides an all inclusive day trip. Tel 649 700432.

Horse Riding

TrujilloEspana.com Rental Properties in the Heart of Spain

Web Resources