Estremadura: Route of the Conquerors
In times past it was said that after the creation of the world and its redemption, there had been no other event so prominent as the discovery of America. And the hand of the protagonists of that epic, most born in Estremadura, I load my backpack to travel the route of the conquistadors, those characters who took their name and their peoples in the New World. From Trujillo to Yuste, where I found Carlos retirement, not only physical, after laying the foundation for his country as the greatest military and political power of the sixteenth century.
Earth is this extreme hard, land fight, predation, of harvests and burning, though the first villager with whom I run into me makes it clear, in case you had doubts: «Extremadura are two: Cáceres and Badajoz ». I do not put objection. Between holm oaks sizing me to open my tour, Which brings me to Belvis de Monroy, defensive bulwark and with echoes of romancero. Just he has dawned, but the heat and begins to tighten. I came to the convent of San Francisco, where I get the first sign that testifies to the past of the place: They departed from here called "Twelve Apostles of Mexico ', by order of Hernán Cortés, to evangelize the American Indians. I take this opportunity to also visit the church of Santiago (fifteenth century) and its castle.
Earth is this extreme hard, fighting, predation, of harvests and burning
The county road C-401 leads me to Guadalupe, the Marian shrine of Hispanidad par excellence. The small village, peculiar architecture, It seems swallowed up by the majesty that follows his monastery, Gothic-Mudejar monument of impressive proportions and beauty. Facade to understand why such a colossus is declared World Heritage Site by Unesco. The history of the monastery squashes: no less than five times the Catholic kings They were entrusted to the Virgin about the offensive against Granada, who also they interceded for them to be delivered to him Columbus caravels and crew.
As I walk along the roads and road I meet people, rivers, mountains and places that one day they would be repeated in the toponymy of America and other parts of the world. They are estimated at 1.500 places in Central America, of the South and the North contain names with resonance extremeña. Guadalupe is one of them. There are many more: Trujillo, Merida, Cuts, Medellín, Granadilla, Sherry, Montijo, Valdivia, Balboa, Pizarro, copse, Berlanga, Safe ...
The roads I meet people, rivers, mountains and places that one day would be repeated in the toponymy of America
It's time to stop and take a bite. After the repast and good local wine that dispenses me a sale village located half, I am about to reach Castuera and explore it thoroughly. A local guide advised me to visit the house where he was born in 1500 Pedro de Valdivia. At the door I delve overwhelms his memory of the past; its walls recall the heroic conquest of Chile 1541. I try to lighten the step but not before visiting the noble district of San Juan with its houses emblazoned, the Palacio de los Condes de Ayala and some other chapel.
Explicable that rush spurred my walk. And is that, just outside the town of Don Benito, the C-520, I can clearly make out Castle Medellín, homeland of the great conqueror Hernán Cortés. This municipality has now also name both in Mexico City, where extremeño he subjected to the Aztec Empire, as in Colombia and the Philippines. Perhaps of Celtic origin, Medellin on a city founded by the Romans in calling my attention his theater. Here too there is to see and admire its walled fortress or castle, one of the hardiest and impregnable in Spain.
Jerez de los Caballeros, Nunez de Balboa cradle, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of its lofty heritage
I wistfully way down the Ruta de la Plata, which coincides with the N-630, direction Seville, as did so many extremeños that reached the city of Seville to sail for the New World. came up Jerez de los Caballeros from the Sierra Fregenal through the N-435. Basque Nunez de Balboa, Hernando de Soto and Diego de Albitez I get to step to finding emotions of conquest discovery of America.
Templario glorious past, a visit to the town overwhelms me for the beauty of its lofty heritage: beautiful temples parish with unique towers like San Bartolomé, San Miguel and Santa Maria coexist in beautiful harmony with squares, palaces, sources, convents, hermitages and even a castle. Lying on the slopes of Sierra Morena, in this municipality declared a Monumental Artistic shadow of the discoverer of the Pacific Ocean remains evergreen among its corners.
When I go to Trujillo, Pizarro's hometown, through the Arch of Triumph I fall surrendered to his charm
Another town that overwhelms me its history and monumentality Trujillo. I fail to exceed the threshold that defines whether a server suffers Stendhal Syndrome, but I must admit that when I go to Trujillo through the Arch of Triumph, one of the three gates of the seven that marked the walled town, fall rendered to its charm. unavoidable. I understand that Trujillo was already a major city before they were born into it the protagonists of the American adventure.
The imposing statue Francisco Pizarro horse riding (the 6.500 kilos) dominates no less impressive Plaza Mayor. Around it a few stale temples that are worth succeed: the Romanesque church of Santa María, San Francisco Real, Santo Domingo, San Antonio ... do not forget the other illustrious son of Trujillo. Francisco de Orellana, also participates in the conquest of the Inca Empire, He organized an epic adventure that would lead him to discover the Amazon River.
I use my last breath to head to Yuste, withdrawal of Emperor Charles I
It is time to put an end to this exhausting route. I take the opportunity to use my last breath to put towards Yuste. I do follow the path of the C-501, until I find Vera. It is a fertile and abundant valley, but also comfortable and beautiful, monacal equipped harmony. I not surprising that Charles I chose this environment as a place for the final farewell to life. A few kilometers away stands the modest monastery, where the emperor decided to retire after his abdication 24 October 1535 Brussels. Here he lived between 1556 and 1558. On the north wall there is a monumental fountain and an old tree (the walnut Emperor) next to the resting. are still preserved remains of the glory of those years: a sundial, a copy of a Titian, Gothic cloisters and platerescos, the church of the XV-XVI century…
If you want to read more stories from Javier Ramos: www.lugaresconhistoria.com
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The route of the conquerors Extremadura
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[…] The route of the conquerors Extremadura […]
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alex torres
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A great unknown to the public extremadura
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