Spain Estremadura

What to see and do in Trujillo in one day, town of conquerors in Extremadura

Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura
Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura

If you don't know him yet, what will I say? Trujillo is one of most beautiful villages in Spain, and when you meet him, you will not be surprised that he is one of the most visited corners of Extremadura.

Two and a half hours southwest of Madrid, and very close to Caceres y Méridawalk through Trujillo will bring you a return to the times of discovery of America, and you will be able to see the boom that it entailed for those who faced that adventure.

Whenever I've traveled the highway Estremadura, either towards the south or towards Portugal, make a stop to visit the Plaza Mayor of Trujillo It has been one of the stages of the journey.

And now it is also one of the stages of a tourist route, the so-called Route of Isabel the Catholic in Extremadura.

But it's only been in my last trip to Extremadura when I have dedicated the time required for a good visit this historic town, which requires walking through the streets inside the wall, or climb up to the castlea old arab citadel.

Curiosities history of Trujillo

The origins of Trujillo They date back to a Celtic fort located at the top of the hill where the castle now stands, later the settlement of the Romans and the Arabs, who built the citadel.

Historically it was a town that grew around the castle and within some walls, and the area that its current location occupies Plaza Mayor They were suburbs outside the fortified area.

Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura
Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura

Now it is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful squares in Spain, and also one of the largest.

From the 14th century, houses with arcades began to be built, and later, the nobles signed up for the expeditions that headed to America, and after their return during the 16th century, it became a stately square with Renaissance palace buildings.

I remind you that Trujillo It is the city of two of the main explorers of America, Francisco Pizarro, who conquered Peru, and Francis of Orellana, discoverer of Amazon River.

After his return from Americas, the Extremaduran conquerors began to build palaces that were born as a display of ostentation for a new social class recently enriched by the American expeditions.

What to see and do in Trujillo and its Plaza Mayor

La visit from Trujillo you must start it with the aforementioned Plaza Mayor, of which, apart from its large dimensions, what will really catch your attention is the historical charm of the great architectural complex.

Church of San Martín in Plaza Mayor of Trujillo
Church of San Martín in Plaza Mayor of Trujillo

In the foreground, the church of San Martín Originally from the 14th century, but with successive extensions until the 16th century.

With interior ribbed vaults and Renaissance bars in the chapels, on the outside the so-called Las Limas Gate.

In front of the church is the famous equestrian statue of Pizarro.

Made of bronze and weighing 6.500 kilos, it is the icon of Trujillo and one of the most emblematic images of Extremadura.

Statue of Pizarro in Plaza Mayor of Trujillo
Statue of Pizarro in Plaza Mayor of Trujillo

In the arcades of the houses that surround a good part of the square, there are many typical restaurants with their terraces, and the upper area of ​​the square is culminated by the presence of the castle walls.

Palaces in Plaza Mayor of Trujillo

There are several palatial buildings that overlook the square, some of them (a shame...) semi-abandoned.

In front of the church you have the Palace of the Dukes of San Carlos.

From the 16th century, the family's large coat of arms stands out. Vargas and Carvajal, and during the 17th century this palace housed a convent of nuns.

On the south façade of the square is the Palace of the Marquises of Piedras Albas, from the 16th century, which has a central patio with a double cloister.

Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura
Plaza Mayor of Trujillo in Extremadura

In front, the Palace of the Marquis of the Conquest, which is known as the Pizarro Palace, and also like the Shield Palace by the enormous coat of arms that is located on the balcony of its main corner, which was granted by the Emperor Charles V a Francisco Pizarro after his conquest of Peru.

And finally, together with Palace of Conquest the building of the Courthouse,

This building stands out for corners such as the one called Meat Portal, or the exit passage from the plaza known as the Prison Canyon, that crosses the aforementioned judicial building.

The most recommended in your visit to the Plaza Mayor of Trujillo is that you walk calmly around the square and end up sitting on one of the terraces with a coffee or a beer.

From there you can enjoy the contemplation of this great historical complex, without a doubt, one of the great heritage jewels of Extremadura.

Walls of Trujillo in Extremadura
Walls of Trujillo in Extremadura

Trujillo walls

To continue the visit, you must start climbing towards the castle, and the walk will take you past abandoned palatial buildings, such as the Escobar palace.

Or it will take you across the Door of San Andrés, of Muslim origin, but with a Gothic arch, to continue your journey towards the outside of the Wall.

To do this you must go out through the Arch of Triumph, from the 13th century, entrance gate to Trujillo during the Reconquest.

Santa María la Mayor Church in Trujillo

Already in the upper part of the town you will reach the church of Santa María la Mayor, from the 13th century, with a Romanesque tower and a gothic interior.

Church of Santa María la Mayor in Trujillo in Extremadura
Church of Santa María la Mayor in Trujillo in Extremadura

This tower fell during an earthquake and then a new bell tower, but in 1970 the Romanesque tower was rebuilt, and as a curiosity, a stonemason left the coat of arms of the Bilbao Athletics.

Here you have information and you can reserve the best tours and guided visits in Trujillo

Pizarro Museum in Trujillo

Another place to visit is Pizarro museum installed in the house of who was the grandfather of the illustrious conqueror.

This museum, opened in 1992, reproduces a manor house of a nobleman of the fifteenth century.

Casa de Orellana, charming hotel 

It is also worth visiting the former House of Orellana, from the 15th century, now a comfortable Boutique hotel.

House of Orellana in Trujillo in Extremadura
House of Orellana in Trujillo in Extremadura

Born in Trujillo, Francis of Orellana He participated in the conquest of the Inca empire, founded the city of Guayaquil, and together with Gonzalo Pizarro organized the expedition that led to the discovery of Amazon River.

The historic building shows us at its entrance door a pointed arch on which the coat of arms of the Orellana, and inside all the decoration refers to the conquest of America and the adventures of the aforementioned Orellana.

House of Orellana in Trujillo in Extremadura
House of Orellana in Trujillo in Extremadura

The small Boutique Hotel Casa de Orellana It only has five rooms whose names recall Extremaduran conquerors.

The main room is dedicated, as is logical, to the man himself. Orellana, who set sail in 1541 to make the first navigation by a European along the longest and largest river in the world, and on whose adventure he was accompanied by 57 men.

The so-called Don Gonzalo Tower It is the room that reminds us of the adventure companion Gonzalo Pizarro, who was a relative of the great Francisco Pizarro.

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Arc de Triomphe in Trujillo in Extremadura
Arc de Triomphe in Trujillo in Extremadura

There is another room dedicated to Fray Gaspar de Carvajal, a Dominican friar who recounted the adventure of the discovery of the Amazon in the search for Eldorado.

The fourth room is named after Cosme de Chaves, who was stepfather of Orellana, and who financed the expedition that left Sanlúcar de Barrameda in 1545, consisting of four ships.

Finally, the woman of OrellanaAna de Ayala, also has his room; They met in Seville, when the conquistador went to hire the ships that he was going to use in the expedition.

Views of the Plaza Mayor of Trujillo from the castle
Views of the Plaza Mayor of Trujillo from the castle

Trujillo Castle

Finally, you will complete your walk with the visit of Trujillo castle, ancient Arabic citadel from the 10th century that maintained its original structure until the 16th century, when the fortress was expanded with new towers and walls until it was impregnable.

During your walk along these walls you will be able to enjoy the best Panoramic views, highlighting the views of the famous Plaza Mayor.

Map: how to get to Trujillo in Extremadura

Trujillo is two and a half hours by car from Madrid and half an hour from Cáceres.

Photos of Trujillo (Cáceres)

Here you have more photos of Trujillo, In the Cáceres province en Estremadura.

About the Author

José Luis Sarralde

Journalist and traveler throughout his life, José Luis Sarralde is the founder of Guías Viajar, where since 2008 he has been capturing his travel experiences around the world, specializing in cultural and scenic destinations in Spain and Europe.

Comments

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  • It seems like a lie to me, I'm looking to book a hostel and all the addresses are in English and it gives me prices as if I were in the US, I use the filters and more of the same.
    I prefer to choose to go somewhere else.

    Thank you

  • EXCELLENT publication of this very IMPORTANT, touristic and historical Spanish town…. CONGRATULATIONS !!!! The equestrian statue of the ILLUSTRIOUS Francisco Pizarro is extremely impressive; here in Lima-Peru we have an extraordinary replica. Greetings from Cusco-Peru.

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