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Valdesangil's strategic sistuation makes this town is a good
starting point to visit the different surroundings, which abound in
picturesque, historic and very nice, not to mention the varied
gastronomy of the region in which the Iberian ham and sausages, in
addition to the typical dishes, ensuring a quiet rest when returning
from trips.
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Abound in a variety
of natural features, ideal for hiking and photography, with all
imaginable variety of flora and fauna.
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Historical remains from different periods, from
anthropomorphic tombs carved in stone, the North to South Roman way,
very old bullrings, ancient samples of the Arabs, medieval and
Renaissance.
We give here are some suggestions for places to
visit nearby, without claiming that this relationship is complete, since
we believe that this region still allows individuals without major
discoveries go.
The Monfragüe natural park and nearby
cities such as Salamanca (65 km) and Plasencia (60 km),
require no comment in this exhibition.
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- click on image to enlarge -
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Béjar
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40º 23' 21" N 5º 45' 58" W
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Only 2.5 km away from
Valdesangil, Béjar (15,000 inhabitants) full of history
and vicissitudes of industry, with wool textile tradition from the
Middle Ages when the preponderance of the Mesta. Duchy for
centuries in its location, between two valleys at the foot of the
mountain range that gives its name, it was an important enclave of the
Roman road, later on so-called Vía de la Plata (the Silver
way) by the Arabs, which maintains its traditional cuisine and "tapas"
dishes. Its bullring is the oldest in Spain (it was inaugurated in 1711). |
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In the Castañar de Béjar
(a chestnut forest near Béjar) there is a shrine to the Virgin of the same name, with a 'Way of the
Cross' (Via crucis) which links this temple with the town. This tour is
a sample of the variety of chestnut trees, walnut trees, ferns, etc.
that populate this hillside. At midway of this hill, from the viewpoint
of stone, you can see Béjar in its entirety. Park City stands out
for its variety of trees.
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Béjar retains
much of its ancient walls and its Arabic fortress converted into the
Ducal Palace and that is now a high school. It also retains traces of
its Jewish and Moorish past, with shield wall and doors that support its
history. In their temples we see the Romanic remains of its structure
and in the Plaza Mayor, the convent of San Francisco and,
throughout the city, its Renaissance architecture. On the outskirts of
the forest is a garden Renaissance ducal, 'El Bosque' estate
recreation that can be visited.
A legend attributes to 'the men of Moss'
the taking of the city and this fact is remembered each in 'Corpus
Christi' processions in costume. |
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All the actuality, news and information about Béjar
in:
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La Covatilla
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La Covatilla is a place in the Sierra de Béjar-Candelario
of unquestionable beauty, about 2400 m elevation, which already was an
ski station in the years 1930, and later on is a remarkable ski resort.
Its prime location attracts visitors both in winter for this sport, and
outside the ski season for their excellent views and beautiful walks. |
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Since the early 2000, this new ski resort is in operation with
almost skiable 20 km for different levels, which is visited by
enthusiasts of this sport. |
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It has 14 tracks, left luggage office and equipment rental, ski
school, restaurant and cafe, Chairlift-4 place, Tele-baby, Ski summit,
marked tracks and long tracks.
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Candelario
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After about 5 km from
Valdesangil this town (Historical Artistic Ensemble) is an
essential visit while in this area. Its location at the foot of the
Sierra offers its picturesque character. North orientation makes it
special for curing hams and sausages. Time ago was called 'town without
chimneys' because the vent of the kitchen went to the higher drying
floor of all homes to preserve meats and sausages. |
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Its narrow streets have on the sides water channels, which here
are called 'shower', which circulates throughout the year without stop
from the melting of the mountain. The architectural style is unique and
reflects the lifestyle of its founders. The houses 'advanced' on the
street with balconies and galleries to ensure, both winter and summer,
the absence of sunlight, to avoid the detrimental to their products, as
well as protection from possible rain for the residents. |
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The surroundings of this population (practically all mountainous)
is a delight for walkers and photographers, who can find and view sites
without any comparison. The presence of cows in the meadows with their
'haystacks' and various auxiliary buildings, make very interesting the
journey through these places. |
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Granadilla
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More
or less 30 km from
Valdesangil in the direction of Caceres, this town was
abandoned by the construction of the dam of Gabriel y Galán, whose
waters flooded the lands of this municipality. For some time, a
school-workshop is responsible for its gradual recovery. The impressive
castle in perfect conditions, continues to stand from the beginning and is
the best observatory to enjoy the extraordinary views, check the
reconstruction of the town and see the landscapes that make the waters of
the swamp that surround it. |
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Montemayor del río
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This town surprises
for its location, protected in a bend of the
river Cuerpo de hombre, for its medieval castle (perhaps Templar) in
very advanced restoration and for its Romanesque church apse and walls
witnessed several restorations, canecillos under the roof and big
wall painting of St. Christopher on the inside north wall. |
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The journey from
Valdesangil can be done by reaching Béjar and then taking
the road towards Aldeacipreste to continue on parallel to the
river and enjoy a short trip with unique landscapes. |
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In this village, particularly noteworthy is
the handicrafts (basketry) with chestnut wood and baking with natural
products. |
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Sierra de Francia
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After about 35 km from
Valdesangil, the Sierra de Francia, whose the most important
core is the natural park of Batuecas includes many unique tours: |
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La Peña de Francia, the highest point of the park with a
shrine medieval, villages such as La Alberca, Mogarraz, San
Martin del Castañar, Miranda del Castañar, Sequeros,
San Esteban de la Sierra, etc. maintained their traditional (and
protected) architecture, crafts, and the memory of its history, reflected in
numerous coats of arms carved in granite.
Throughout this region we see a very diverse fauna that, in
addition to the ubiquitous prey includes hispanic goat, wild boar ,
kingfisher, genet, herons, weasels, etc.. |
In the Valle de las Batuecas there's a Monastery and
Convent of San José, cave paintings in many coats, cascading streams that
are born with colored stones by different minerals and salts, as well as a
vegetation worthy of admiring. |
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The Via de la Plata (The 'Silver Way'): The route of this
road, built by the Romans allowed the North-South communication in the
western part of the Iberian peninsula, linking the Cantabrian coast
(gold mines at Ponferrada) with sea ports in the South. It is the Roman
roadway number XXIV called "Iter ab Emerita Asturicam" (i.e. "roadway
from Mérida to Astorga, two major cities of the time). As all
the Roman roads, hard engineering works, including the proper layout for
its committed with everything necessary for its continuation, i.e.
bridges, acceptable slopes, sewerage and drainage, distance marks
(milestones, etc.), etc. many of which can still be seen and, of course,
be photographed, which offers the possibility of treading a path with
more than 2000 years of history in different parts of this region. |
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All along the roman roadway there were locations and villages to
rest or supplies (some created for the purpose) of which must be noted:
Béjar virtually halfway. About 45 km to the south, stands out as
Cáparra crossroads and commercial town. It retains its large arch
of four pillars. Currently, the ongoing excavations demonstrate the
importance of this historic town. |
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Later, the Arabs used this way and gave its present name:
B'lata ("stone road"), building layout as one of the roads with
major transit of the peninsula.
During the Middle Ages was used as pilgrimage road to
Santiago, as the "Mozarabic pilgrim way" or "Southern
Route", which represented the continuity of cultural and commercial
exchanges. Subsequently was extended to linking Gijón (the North)
to Seville (south).
Currently, the national highway N-630 (or A-66) is the modern
version of this great Roman road of communication.
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