Extremadura was far from the sea and was always known as wild and remote area, fortunately it escaped much development and today is the largest "green" area, together with the adjoining Alentejo in Portugal, in Western Europe.
a face appears ........ peaks of Sierra de Montanchez
Monfragüe in the Tajo gorge has a colony of griffon vultures, the Iberian lynx is still a resident in these parts, hawks and other birds of prey abound. Wildflowers are a delight in the extended Spring from February to May. The Sierra de Gata in the north, the Sierra de Guadalupe in the centre, Sierra de Montanchez , the plains between Caceres and Trujillo and the country of the south-west around Jerez de los Caballeros all are refuges for flora and fauna.
typical spring flowers and ride on Finca al-manzil
Extremadura is cattle country, with fighting bulls and the local Retinta
breed grazing the gentler lands.
Black Iberian pigs roam the vast woodlands known as dehesa gorging on the acorns of holm and cork oak which help to create the flavour of some of the finest jamon in Spain, especially from the mountain town of Montanchez. The river valleys, notably the Tiétar, Tajo and Guadiana, are well-irrigated provide a varied array of fruit and vegetables including apricots, cherries, peppers and tobacco. South of Merida is the Tierra de Barros a vast area of red clay soil which produces excellent white and red wine. There is virtually no industry which is not based on agriculture. The area around Finca al-manzil is a mixture of dehesa, rich olive groves, fig groves and the special flora and fauna of the sierra . An amazing array of wildflowers and herbs grow amongst the huge granite boulders of the sierra, ancient paths from Moorish times make the sierra easy to explore, a delight in the wilder parts and also giving access to the well tended olive and fig groves and vineyards which are an important part of the local economy. The views from anywhere on the sierra are breathtaking..............
Black Iberian pigs roam the vast woodlands known as dehesa gorging on the acorns of holm and cork oak which help to create the flavour of some of the finest jamon in Spain, especially from the mountain town of Montanchez. The river valleys, notably the Tiétar, Tajo and Guadiana, are well-irrigated provide a varied array of fruit and vegetables including apricots, cherries, peppers and tobacco. South of Merida is the Tierra de Barros a vast area of red clay soil which produces excellent white and red wine. There is virtually no industry which is not based on agriculture. The area around Finca al-manzil is a mixture of dehesa, rich olive groves, fig groves and the special flora and fauna of the sierra . An amazing array of wildflowers and herbs grow amongst the huge granite boulders of the sierra, ancient paths from Moorish times make the sierra easy to explore, a delight in the wilder parts and also giving access to the well tended olive and fig groves and vineyards which are an important part of the local economy. The views from anywhere on the sierra are breathtaking..............
a walk in the sierra..........
History and architecture are as rewarding as the landscape. Before the Visigoths and Moors this was a major Roman colony with Mérida, Augusta Emerita, serving as capital of the western province of Lusitania. Today it is a UNESCO site because of the extensive Roman archaeological remains including the stupendous Roman theatre still used today for the famous classical theatre festival held every summer.
Above all, this is conquistador country. An astonishing proportion of the leaders of the rough bands which savagely conquered South and Central America in the names of king , queen and Christianity came from Extremadura e.g. Pizarro
and Cortes. Trujillo and Cáceres are well known for the rich monumental palaces built by 
conquistadors returning with their ill-gotten gains. Both have the most carefully preserved old city centres with buildings from Moorish, medieval and renaissance times.
conquistadors returning with their ill-gotten gains. Both have the most carefully preserved old city centres with buildings from Moorish, medieval and renaissance times.
The spiritual centre was, and remains, the shrine of Guadalupe. Here a rich and beautiful Hieronymite monastery 
grew up, with swirling Moorish-Gothic tracery all in honour of the diminutive black Madonna , the Virgin de Guadalupe. The first Aztecs brought back from the new world were baptised here. There is a marvellous collection of paintings by Zubaran. The little mountain town which formed beneath the monastery is balconied and full of geraniums, one element of a varied architecture which is a particular Extremeñan pleasure.
grew up, with swirling Moorish-Gothic tracery all in honour of the diminutive black Madonna , the Virgin de Guadalupe. The first Aztecs brought back from the new world were baptised here. There is a marvellous collection of paintings by Zubaran. The little mountain town which formed beneath the monastery is balconied and full of geraniums, one element of a varied architecture which is a particular Extremeñan pleasure. 
A marvellously atmospheric place is Yuste, the monastery to which the Emperor Charles V, gout-ridden and exhausted, retired to die. He chose it, he said, because of its climate of continual springtime.In its deep rurality and wonderful ancient cities Extremadura is a place that has a million secrets to discover...........
