Extremadura literally means 'Extremely hard'
(due to its extreme climate, though it is
not the hottest or dryest region of the country
by any means). This region is divided in two
provinces: Badajoz and Cáceres. The
capital is Mérida ('Emérita
Augusta' in its original Roman name). Many
of the conquerors that went to colonise America
after Columbus' discovery, came from this
region. Some interesting routes in theis region
are the 'Ruta de los Descubridores' (Conqueror's
route), the 'Valle del Jerte' and the 'Ruta
del Jamón' (ham route) or the 'Sierra
de Tentudia'.
BADAJOZ
Iberoamerican Museum of Extremadura 
Tourism office:
c /Menacho, 12, 4. Badajoz
Fiestas: September 8th, day of Extremadura.
Highlights: Border with Portugal.
Monuments: cathedral, Alcazaba, archaeology
museum, Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, 'Puerta
de Palmas', bridge over Guadiana river, 'Plaza
Alta', 'Plaza de San Juan', 'Muralla Vauban',
church of 'La Concepción', church of
'Santa María'.
Food: The 'escarapuche' (read decription
below) is known here as 'salmorejo'. Soup
of figues and tomato, 'frite' meat stew, ground
red pepper, local garlic and onions, 'migas',
'pan frito', roast red pepper salad. Desserts
like the 'piñonate' or the 'perronillas'.
CÁCERES
Roman
theatre in Mérida
Tourism office:
Gómez Becerra, 21. Cáceres
Highlights: National monument and
UNESCO World Heritage in
the cities of Mérida and Trujillo.
The Jerte valley.
Monuments: city walls, Co-cathedral
of 'Santa María', 'Casas de los Carvajal',
'Casa de los Veletas', 'Godoy Palace, Palace
of the 'Gofines de abajo', 'Arco de la estrella',
'Palacio Episcopal', Convent of 'San Pablo',
'Torre de la Plaza', church of the 'Espiritu
Santo', church of 'San Mateo', church of 'Santiago',
church of 'San Juan', Convent of 'San Francisco
Javier', Casa y Torre de 'Galarza', 'Casa
de los Cáceres-Ovando', 'Casa de los
Espaderos', 'Casa del Mono o de los Espadero-Pizarro',
'Casa del Sol'.
Food: goat, sheep and cow cheese.
An special place in cheeses goes to the famous
'Torta del Casar' (see picture in this page).
Tasty pastries 'dulces casros del Convento
de San Pablo'. The 'Escarapuche' (also known
as 'Peloche'), is a typical dish of river
fish grilled with olive oil, vinager, salt,
some onion and chopped tomatoes. You can also
find it done with rabbit or pork and sometimes
it is served cold.
