Discover Plasenzuela

Plasenzuela offers several ways to explore nature and the town’s history. At El Bosque de To, art and nature come together with the myths and legends of Extremadura; the church, museum and archaeological sites add to the picture of the town. Two questions can help you plan your visit: would you like to discover legends along trails or with the help of a map, and are you also interested in Plasenzuela’s history? The following stops show how these visits differ.

El Bosque de To: Nature and Mythology

El Bosque de To is located on the CC-27.3 at kilometre 1.5 in Plasenzuela. The site features holm oak forests, Mediterranean nature and historic landscapes. Art and nature are connected with the myths and legends of Extremadura. On a self-guided visit, you receive an illustrated map explaining the legends; the visit takes one to two hours.

Guided visits are also available. They follow trails where legends from Extremadura’s mythology are told. The two formats therefore differ in how the stories are presented: on a self-guided visit, the map accompanies you; on a guided visit, you hear the stories along the way. Excursions are available for schools, institutes and organised groups. Guided visits are also suitable for families.

Bear in mind that the trails have slopes, boulders and uneven sections. El Bosque de To is therefore not wheelchair accessible. If you are interested in how landscape and mythology come together, you can experience both as part of the same visit—while keeping the trail conditions in mind.

Church and Museum: The Town’s History

The parish church of the Assumption of Mary was built in the 15th century and remodelled in the 17th century. Museo Plasenzuela is housed in the town’s former Cámara Agraria. Its permanent exhibition includes information panels on the ethnography and history of Plasenzuela, offering an introduction to different aspects of life in the town.

The exhibition covers the town’s earliest inhabitants and the Cerro de la Horca archaeological site. It displays archaeological pottery fragments from the Late Neolithic, the 5th millennium BC, as well as from the period of Romanisation; the time span extends to the modern era. The display also includes the mechanism from the old town hall clock, dating from the early 20th century. Traditional agricultural equipment and tools are also on display; they were donated by residents of Plasenzuela.

The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, talks, poetry and art events, workshops, and tourist and cultural activities. These complement the permanent exhibition with a changing programme of events. If you would like to attend a specific event, check the exact dates in advance.

Archaeological Traces Through Time

Various archaeological remains can be found on Cerro de la Horca in Plasenzuela. The cremation cemeteries of El Romazal I and El Romazal II are within the municipality. Their dates distinguish the two sites chronologically: El Romazal II dates to the 3rd century BC, while El Romazal I dates to the end of the 2nd or the beginning of the 1st century BC.

The excavated necropolises provide insights into religious beliefs, social organisation and Celtic influences on the Castro’s protohistoric inhabitants. The archaeological perspective thus takes you into a different period from the exhibits on the town’s more recent history in the museum. The dates of the two Romazal sites can also be distinguished rather than combined into a single date.

Festivals and Directions

The Cruz de Mayo pilgrimage takes place on the first Sunday. The patron saint festivities for the Assumption of Mary take place from 15 to 17 August. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these traditions, check the exact event dates for your travel period.

From Cáceres, take the A-58 towards Trujillo to exit 21, then continue on the CC-333 towards Plasenzuela. From Trujillo, take the A-58 towards Cáceres, also to exit 21, then continue on the CC-333 towards Plasenzuela. Road conditions may change, so check your route before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Jarandilla De La Vera, Casas de Miravete, Santa Marta De Magasca, Cabañas Del Castillo, Collado, Campo Lugar, Robledillo De La Vera, Malpartida De Plasencia

For the wider travel overview: Cáceres.