Two castles, one ancient theater and two adorable towns on hills.
Leaving early in the morning, I headed east of Cáceres. The day’s journey will bring a visit to the two adorable towns of Trujillo and Medellín. Trujillo was a pre-Roman town that later became Islamic town. The Arabs left behind the Alcázar when they left in the 13th century after the Christians reconquered the area.
The oldest part of town is on top of the hill. It has winding cobblestone streets with stone buildings. Lower down the hill is a wonderful Spanish style plaza to top it all off.
So cute. The tower on the left is the Casa Fuerte de los Escobar.
The city walls and a pool called La Alberca (the swimming pool). I don’t think swimming in that water would be a good idea.
I love all these old stone buildings.
The Puerta del Triunfo, at the old Alcazar of Trujillo.
I think the Alcazar is now someone’s house.
Super cool city walls.
There is so much green in this little town.
So much cute around every corner.
See!
This is getting ridiculous.
Like really. How is this town so wonderful?
An ivy-covered abbey ruin.
Sigh.
This town is just so cute.
Just the house of the explorer Francisco Pizarro.
It is really hard to choose what pictures to include because everything is adorable.
Finally made it to the Moorish Castle of Trujillo.
On the castle walls.
It was a pretty big castle.
Heading down the hill to the Plaza Mayor.
Town is still cute down this way.
San Martin on the Plaza Mayor.
The Plaza Mayor. Pretty large for such a small town.
San Martin is a fairly pretty church.
Such a pretty Plaza Mayor.
Next stop was Medellín, another small village not far from Trujillo. Its most well-known son was the conquistador and mass murderer Hernán Cortés, born in 1485. Medellín was founded during Ancient Rome, known then as Metellinum. Today, you can visit a fantastic ancient theater and a castle.
Of course, they have a statue of Cortés in the middle of town.
It’s a pretty impressive castle.
The castle looms over the Ancient Roman Theater.
Heading up to the Castle of Medellín.
Awesome gate.
Inside the walls of the castle.
The interior buildings of the castle are long gone but at least the towers remain.
A cool Moorish cistern still survives though.
Looking down on the Roman theater and the town of Medellín. The church by the theater now serves as its museum.
This castle is huge. Notice the little settlements on the hills beyond the castle walls.
The old Ancient Roman bridge is still used.
Trujillo and Medellín really show going off the beaten path is well worth it. I spent a wonderful morning and early afternoon in Trujillo and a late afternoon in Medellín. It was a fantastic day of exploring two wonderful small towns.
Check out my next update where I visit the very Roman town of Merida.
or
Start at the beginning of my travels around Spain!
