La Ruta de Chimeneas

A Journey Through Time and Nature

by Teresa Carriedo

On Monday, July 5 we will take to the road. A special one named 'The Route of the Chimneys.' Departure will be at 11.15 (a.m.!!) and we will be back around 19.00 (7 p.m.).Going west toward Portugal 'La Ruta De Las Chimeneas' (the Route of the Chimneys) is waiting for us. The Route received its name because chimneys abound from the beginning to the end. The chimneys are covered with storks' nests and if we are lucky enough we may see some. Our first stop will be Alcántara. This town is situated on the banks of the river Tajo. A noble city which bears the military order's name. Alcántara was at its best during the Roman Empire, but its origin is Arabic. Alcántara means "bridge" in Arabic. There is a huge bridge, an impressive work of engineering constructed by the Iberian Roman Empire, measuring 194 m in length and 70 m at the highest point of the central arch. We know that it was built during the 'Trajano' period (the year 105) and designed by the architect Cayo Lucio Lacer.

In the same locality the Arabs founded a small fortified town called Al-Quantarat in order to defend the river: later this became a very important strategical site. In the town of Alcántara has many beautiful works of art to offer, such as the San Benito Convent with its gothic cloister and carved portal. The monastery of San Benito was founded by the Knights of the Order of Alcántara in the 16th century. This attractive setting formed by the galleries and the temple apse has been transformed into an open-air auditorium, where every summer the Classical Theatre Festival puts on its productions. After visiting the Convent, lunch will be served followed by a little siesta.

Our nap will be short because on our way back to Cáceres we do not want to miss Brozas, a city with elegant mansions and palaces. This town was of strategical importance to the Military Order of Alcántara. You can still see some imposing noblemen's houses such as the Palace of Los Bravo, built at the end of the 16th century. Brozas was the birthplace of 'El Brocense,' a famous 16th century humanist, who was a professor and rector at the University of Salamanca.

In Garrovillas we will travel back in time to the 16th Century when we enter the magnificent Plaza Mayor (Main Square). In this arcaded main square the traditional bull runs and bullfights take place during the festival of San Roque in August. In Arroyo De Luz we will see Luis Morales' most famous painting titled "The Divine," also from the 16th Century. And finally we will visit Malpartida De Cáceres. This town is set in the beautiful landscape of "Los Barruecos," an area of countryside full of huge rocky outcrops and the preserved remains of some Bronze Age paintings. In the 16th century this locality was chosen as the site for the construction of flour mills and later on, in the 18th century, woolen mills were built, making use of the water from the pond. Both buildings are still standing today. We will say good bye to the numerous storks nesting in the surrounding countryside, but not for long. We will see storks again in Cáceres on top of the church towers. In Cáceres storks don't have chimneys, they are city dwellers.