Cáceres Province

Covering a total of 19,950km2, Cáceres forms the northern part of the Autonomous Region of Extremadura. Its neighbours to the north are Salamanca and Avila in Castilla-Leon and Badajoz, the other half of Extremadura, to the south.

To the east lie Toledo and Ciudad Real of Castilla-La-Mancha and Portugal, a country with which Extremadura has many connections, is located to the west.

The history of Cáceres is the essence of Spain with the earliest human settlements marked by the presence of Palaeolithic paintings in the Matravieso caves.

Here are some fine examples of man’s early efforts at art: hand imprints in negative, arrows and paintings of animals that are estimated as being in the region of 25,000 years old.

Indications are that larger scale settlement commenced with the Romans when Cáceres was colonised as part of Rome’s expansion programme while, with the decline of the Roman Empire and after a brief spell of domination by the northern Visigothic tribes who filled the vacuum left by Rome, Cáceres became an integral part of the Arabic kingdom of Al-Andulus. There are many buildings, ruins and monuments that testify to the ingenuity and aspirations of civilisations long since only a memory.

Many of the traditions that have evolved from this long and colourful history are preserved as rituals and ceremonies in the hundreds of festivals and fiestas that happen regularly all over the province.

The economy of Cáceres is mostly rural. Agriculture dominates, with livestock, cheeses, meat production and tobacco being some of the main products. The countryside of Cáceres is mostly Spanish tableland and the Tajo river, the most important river that flows through the province, encourages not only abundant life along its banks but also provides the water that ensures a rich and varied harvest.

Places Worth a Visit

The monastery of Guadalupe, deep in the countryside of Cáceres, is one UNESCO's cities listed as the Legacy of Humanity. It's not difficult to understand why when you visit the place. Medieval turrets set against a spectacular natural backdrop provide a unique setting.

Cuacos de Yuste is the local town through which the party bearing the ailing emperor Charles V travelled on its way to the monastery of Yuste. This was the last place to have experienced the mortal presence of this influential monarch; the man who consolidated the far-reaching empire. It was in this monastery that he passed the last days of his life on earth surrounded in prayer, thoughts and, probably, one or two ghosts.

More information

http://www.caceresjoven.com/paginas/turismo/turismo.asp
http://www.extremaduraturismo.com/menuizq/fiestas/caceres.htm