In 1950 approximately 1000 people lived in Granadilla and in 1964 everyone had left. This small village in a rural area, doesnt have jobs, people move to big cities. It makes this place interesting and for this reason we are listing top things to do in Granadilla Spain.
Granadilla, located in northern Extremadura, was founded by the Arabs in the 9th century. Extremadura is one of those regions that is still virgin for grand tourism and there are many things to do. Its lands crossed by two great rivers and dotted with reservoirs, and one of the best things to do in Granadilla is to enjoy a beautiful landscape.
Lets Explore things to do in Granadilla Extremadura:
- The Castle of Granadilla
- Visiting The Walls
- Main Square
- Parish Church of the Assumptio
- Natural environment
- Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
- Visiting Granadilla Lands
- The Hurdes Region
1. The Castle of Granadilla
Next to the Gabriel y Galán reservoir, within the abandoned town of Granadilla, is this castle. It is believed that it was built during the last quarter of the 15th century by order of the first Grand Duke of Alba.
One of the best thing to do in Granadilla Spain is to visit the castle, which is located next to the wall of Almohad origin. Surely, on the ruins of some previous Islamic fortification, it is a slender building, with symmetrical shapes and built with ashlar masonry. A fortress in a good state of conservation, declared a historical-artistic complex.
2. Visiting The Walls (One of the best things to do in Granadilla)
The walls that surround Granadilla were built during the Arab rule, which seems to show that there was a first population in that place.
The walls have two entrances, the main entrance guarded by the imposing castle and on the opposite side of the wall a back door that is usually closed. The walled perimeter is worth exploring to get a full view of the town and surroundings. It will take you approximately 15 min to go around the walls.
3. Main Square
In the center of the town we find the Plaza Mayor surrounded by a set of buildings that have been restored.
The Casa del Ayuntamiento and the Casa de las Conchas stand out. We also found the rehabilitation of the street that runs from the main gate to the Plaza Mayor to be very successful.
4. Parish Church of the Assumptio
Like most towns in the Spanish geography, Granadilla had its church which has been preserved in good condition. The parish church of La Asunción was built in the 16th century and is considered as a best things to in Granadilla. The day of our visit we found it closed so we settled for seeing the exterior of the church.
5. Natural environment
The natural environment that surrounds Granadilla is worth a visit by itself. Eucalyptus and pine forests predominate in the surroundings, you should enjoy it as a best thing to do in Granadilla.
In addition, there are several hiking trails that we could not do due to lack of time but are surely worth it. The shortest and easiest is the path that surrounds the town from which you can enjoy a beautiful image of the walled complex.
6. Church of Our Lady of the Assumption
The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (16th century), with ashlar and masonry, is another outstanding place to see in Granadilla. Only the main street remains standing, so the rest of the town is a curious set of crumbling walls covered in green.
The doors and windows of old homes are now a playground for the wind. The fig trees next to the defeated walls and the invasion of brambles, which upholster the pavement of the streets, are gradually being removed due to the restoration work.
7. Visiting Granadilla Lands (One of the best things to do in Granadilla)
Visiting Tierras de Granadilla is one of the best things to do in Granadilla. In the north of the province of Cáceres in Spain, between the Sierra de Lagunilla to the north. The mountains of Tras la Sierra and the Sierra de Santa Bárbara, we find the region of Tierras de Granadilla.
Its history goes back to the Vetones, a brave Celtiberian people who inhabited the town in its beginnings and later passed into the hands of the Romans. The Roman Empire brought prosperity to the region and the ruins of Cáparra, the second most important city of Roman Lusitania after Mérida, are still preserved from them.
8. The Hurdes Region
In the northern vertex of the province of Cáceres in Spain, we find the Region of Las Hurdes, which was taken to the cinema by Buñuel in the 1932 documentary.
Today, little remains of the misery reflected in the acclaimed documentary. Despite the passage of time, its people have known how to keep their gastronomic customs and traditions. Knowing Las Hurdes and all its depth will be easier for us if we approach some of its Interpretation Centers.