Trujillo Offers Majestic History

By Paul Shoul

Sitting outside of Medievo cafe on the Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura Spain, an old friend and I ordered another round of Havana Club rum and cokes.

As is the custom with a mixed drink in Spain, the waiter pours the rum first and will keep pouring until we say “when!” With each new drink, another tapa appears.

It could be local olives or papas Brava made with pimentos de la Vera, fried Iberian pork, courgettes with salt cod, or a hundred other local specialties. The places with the best tapas are always full.

You see, the Spanish have their priorities in order.

Ninety-five percent of the people in this bar tonight are locals, many were at a cumpleanos (birthday) ceremony held In the historic Iglesia de San Martin across the square.

The tapas may be free, but people keep coming back……for generations. This was such a cool and relaxing scene and everything I love about Spain.

A Picturesque Plaza

Trujillo’s main square is one of the most picturesque plazas in all of Spain. Surrounded by medieval and renaissance buildings, it is mind-boggling to think of all the history that happened here on the cobblestones under where we sit.

The Moors and the Romans both ruled this region, and then in the 16th century, from this historically poor part of Spain, men set out to conquer the world….and succeeded.

In front of the iglesia (church)  is a statue of a horse rider,  Francisco Pizarro, who along with his brothers conquered the entire Inca empire in Peru.

His cousin Hernán Cortés who conquered the Aztecs in Mexico was born down the road in Merida.

Francisco de Orellana Born Here

Francisco de Orellana, the first to navigate the Amazon was born here as was Hernando de Alarcon, one of the first on the Colorado River and possibly the first to reach California.

This small group of men with the audacity to travel across the globe and take on entire cultures changed the history of our world. It is fascinating to walk in their footsteps.

With his new found wealth, Pizarro came back to his home town and helped enrich Trujillo, building the opulent Palace of the Conquest on the corner of the Plaza.

See, Eat, Drink and Sleep in Trujillo

The Castle

My time in Trujillo was spent walking the streets and climbing the hill to The Castillo de Trujillo, the highest point in the town built on the site of an ancient Muslim citadel.

Along the way, I stopped into Pizarro’s home which is filled with information and artifacts from his exploits. Definitely worth the visit. Trujillo Castle

From the top of the castle walls, the view of the town and surrounding landscape is spectacular.

It feels like a movie set and in fact, is one. This is the set for the home of the Lannisters in season 7 of the Game of Thrones.

A Former Convent

The Parador of Trujillo is close to the city center located in the former convent of Santa Clara. Paradores in Spain are a fantastic value, always located within historic buildings and highlighting the gastronomy of the region.

Try the oxtail, it was superb. Parador of Trujillo.

Bodegas Habla

Just a short drive from Trujillo center, the avant-garde winery of Bodegas Habla sit in the midst of 200 Hectares of ancient vineyards. Earthy and exceptional value, Habla wines are fantastic. You can arrange a tasting tour and the extensive facility and stables are also available for weddings. Bodegas Habla

A Top Notch Restaurant

You could have a different dinner at another restaurant in Spain, but it could not be better than the one I had at Bizcocho Plaza restaurant overlooking the Plaza Mayor in Trujillo.

From the opening salad with baby squid, Cod Bizcocho, a dessert tray to die for and bottles of frozen herbs and acorn liquors to top off the meal.

The service setting and food make this a must eat. I loved this place. Restaurante Bizcocho Plaza

Hotel Izan Trujillo

Plaza del Campillo,
10200 Trujillo, Cáceres
Tel: +34 927 45 89 00
Hotel Izan Trujillo

A ten-minute walk from the plaza mayor, located in the former Convent of San Antonio.

Plasencia

Strategically located on the banks of the Jerte River and Ruta de Plata (the Silver Trail) the walled market city of Plasencia was once ruled by the Romans and the Moors.

Founded in 1186, in the 13th century, The Charter of Plasencia declared peace between Christians Jews and Muslims living in the city. Many Spanish Nobles moved here and it became a center for Jewish commerce.

Remains of the Roman aqueduct still stand and there is a plethora of historic cathedrals, churches museums, and sights to see in the old city. Really beautiful, save a day to explore. Plasencia

Parador de Plasencia
Plaza San Vicente Ferrer,
s/n10600  Plasencia  Cáceres
+34 927425870
Parador de Plasencia

Dinner at this majestic Parador located in the old part of the city in the historic Santo domingo Monastery was nothing less than wonderful. Eating in a private dining room with sommelier Catalina Bustillo at the table threw it over the top.

Here is the menu: “ Asparagus cold soup with Iberian ham. Cod loin Monacal style with spinach and potato cream. Iberian pork filet baked with wine sauce and sauteed apple. Torta del Casar with paprika from “La Vera.”Mushroom cod croquette. Smoked trout with avocado. “Zorongollo” – roasted peppers, tomato and garlic with tuna fish belly”. Wowza what a meal.

This trip was made with assistance from the Tourist Office of Spain in New York and Extremadura Tourist Board