EXTREMADURA - CÁCERES - A FEW DAYS IN PLASENCIA
A FEW DAYS IN PLASENCIA - CÁCERES
Our initial reason for going on this trip was to see the almond blossom but unfortunately, we were a little too early, so we spent our time in and around the town. Plasencia, which is a walled market city in the province of Cáceres in Extremadura, has a population of around 40,000.
Situated on the bank of the Jerte River, Plasencia has an historic quarter that is a consequence of the city's strategic location along the Silver Route, or Ruta de la Plata, guarding the entrance to the Jerte valley.
Since the 15th century, the noblemen of the region began to move to Plasencia, defining its current appearance.
We stayed at the
HOTEL PALACIO CARVAJAL GIRÓN
Plaza Ansano, 1, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres +34 927 42 63 26 www.palaciocarvajalgiron.com
Located in a 16th century Renaissance palace, this charming hotel offers modern and tastefully decorated rooms along with the best of staying in an historic building in the centre of Plasencia in the heart of the Jewish quarter and is very close to the Cathedral.
Another excellent spot to stay would be
PARADOR DE PLASENCIA Plaza de San Vicente Ferrer, 10600 Plasencia +34 927 42 58 70
The Parador is in the old quarter
and occupies the Santo Domingo Monastery built in the 15th century.
It's in a strategic location along the ancient commercial and pilgrimage route known as the Ruta de la Plata.
The bodega at the Parador
On the first evening, we ate at the excellent
TENTEMPIE Calle Santa Maria 11, Plaza De San Esteban, 10600 Plasencia +34 927 41 73 64
This is a modern gastrobar and was probably the best food we had in Plasencia.
We tried a few of their dishes, including,
Tataki de atún (tuna tataki)
Mini Tortilla
Pato Pekin (Peking duck bun)
Ensalada de quinoa (quinoa salad)
Gyozas langostinos y jengibre (prawn and ginger dumplings)
Music and the service were good in a busy atmosphere
With a good selection of wines and beers
Others restaurants and bars we tried, include,
EL RINCON DE AMADOR
Calle San Esteban 14, 10600 Plasencia +34 927 41 30 21
Situated just off the main Plaza in Plasencia, this is a very pleasant restaurant with good food from a varied menu. We had the local speciality, tapa de migas con huevo.
BAR DANUBIO
Plaza Mayor, 23, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres +34 927 42 23 08
No visit to Plasencia is possible without spending some time on the Plaza Mayor. Whatever is happening, is also happening there. Some evenings you will see groups of men in minstrel cloaks carrying lutes (a small guitar-like instrument) and guitars walking around singing. This is a good place to observe.
Have your drink and peruse the traditional menu, seen above, which included many dishes we had not seen for a while.
RESTAURANTE MAGARI Calle Santa Clara, 6, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres +34 927 70 13 21 www.restaurantemagari.es
A good place for a main meal or tapas
Magari is downtown, near the cathedral, they have an excellent menu del dia for €13.90.
The restaurant has an internal living garden.
We had the speciality, Rabo de Toro (Oxtail).
EL RINCÓNCITO Calle Vidrieras 8, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres +34 927 41 11 50
The cuisine here is a bit different to the normal traditional fayre, generous and with good presentation.
We had tartaleta de Hummus de garbanzo, berenjena crujiente, miel de castaño y pimenton de Vera (chickpea hummus tartlet, crispy eggplant, chestnut honey and paprika from Vera).
Foccacia Capresse (tomate, mozzarela y oregano).
PASTELERÍA VIRGIN DEL PUERTO
Calle Morenas, 15, 10600 Plasencia, Cáceres, +34 927 42 09 27
This was a good spot for breakfast, located a few yards from the Plaza Mayor de Plasencia, in front of the Church of San Esteban. They have delicious cakes and pastries.
We also had a look in
CATEDRAL DE SAN ANTOLÍN Plaza Inmaculada Concepción, 34005 Palencia
The Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Palencia. It is dedicated to Saint Antoninus of Pamiers.
The cathedral was built from 1172 to 1504 and stands over a low-vaulted Visigothic crypt. It is a large Gothic building, popularly dubbed as "The unknown beauty" because it is not as well known as other Spanish cathedrals.
It is a valuable building, which has, in its interior, many works of art of great value.
The building is more than 130 metres long, 42 metres high and 50 metres wide at the centre, making it one of the largest cathedrals in Spain and Europe.
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