Posts

Showing posts with the label Trujillo

Trujillo, Spain

Image
Trujillo had its golden age in the 16th century when the riches from the recently colonized South American territories contributed to building palaces and churches.  Plaza Mayor, where most of the new palaces were built, includes an imposing statue of Francisco Pizarro, the most famous conquistador originating from Trujillo. However, the story of Trujillo begins long before, in prehistoric times. It was known as Turgalium during the Roman period when Trujillo was part of the province of Lusitania.  It was later colonized by the Visigoths and conquered by the Moors in the early 8th century. After centuries o Moorish rule, Trujillo was definitely recaptured by the Christian armies in 1232. In the following centuries, the most prosperous residents moved out of the castle walls and began building downhill around the Plaza Mayor.   How to go: You can take a direct bus from Madrid Estacion Sur to Trujillo, which takes about 3 hours ("Exp...

Church of Santa Maria Mayor, Trujillo, Spain

Image
The Church of Santa Maria Mayor was probably built on top of a mosque, used until the 13th century, which in turn had been built on top of a Visigothic temple. The church was built after the conquest of Trujillo, in the 13th century and since then has been the most important religious building in Trujillo. It underwent major restoration in the 16th century, a century of economic prosperity due to the riches arriving from South America, but preserves many of its Romanesque and Gothic features. Hence, only the eastern tower and the transept remain from the original Romanesque church; the central nave and the two side naves were added in the 14th century while the ribbed vaults and the second tower were added when the 16th-century renovations were made. Artistically the most interesting items are the splendid wood ornamentations on the altar, by painter Fernando Gallego. Opening hours: 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm (4.30 pm to 7.30 pm from Nov. to Mar.) Entrance fee: €1.50...

Museo del Traje Enrique Elias, Trujillo, Spain

Image
The museum houses a collection of garments by designers like Balenciaga and Dior. It also includes traditional costumes and garments that have been used by famous Spanish artists and celebrities.The museum was inaugurated in 2015 and covers the period from the late 19th century to the late 20th century. The museum is located in Saint Francis convent which was built in the late 15th century on top of a Mosque. The convent was enlarged and renovated several times until de 18th century. It was desacralized in the 19th century with the extinction of religious orders in Spain. Opening hours: 10 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm. Entrance fee:  €1.40

Pizarro House Museum, Trujillo, Spain

Image
This small museum is dedicated to the "Conquistador" Francisco Pizarro. The lower floor recreates a house of the 15th century; the upper floor has a small exhibition  with very few items on display . The house museum is located in what used to be his family home and where he spent his childhood. Opening hours: 10-14// 17-20 (Oct. to Mar. 16-19) Entrance fee: €1.50

Coria Museum, Trujillo, Spain

Image
The Coria Museum is located in the half-ruined former convent of San Francisco real, built in the 15th century. The building was recovered in 1969 and since 1981 it has been a centre for promoting the art and cultural heritage of Trujillo and Latin America. It houses an exhibition on the ground floor of the cloister that shows the long-standing relationship between Trujillo and Latin America. The exhibition is mostly made of educational panels but it also presents some folklore art items. The Museum is known as La Coria because it's located close to the medieval gate with the same name, one of the seven entrances to the town. Opening hours: 11h30 to 14h00 on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays Entrance free.

Trujillo Castle, Spain

Image
Standing on top of a hill, watching over Trujillo, the castle was built in the 13th century on top the remains of a 9th-century Arab fortress. However, it also shows some elements typical of Islamic military architecture, such as the square towers. The Islamic water cistern (aljibe) has also been preserved. Opening hours: 10 am to 2 pm// 5 pm to 8 pm (7 pm Oct.-Apr.) Entrance fee: €1.50 (Nov. 2017)

Plaza Mayor, Trujillo, Spain

Image
The Plaza Mayor in Trujillo is dominated by the 6.5-ton statue of Francisco Pizarro, erected in 1925.  The town of Trujillo grew by the castle and within the defensive walls. The place where the main square stands was originally out of the walls and uninhabited. In the 14th century the first houses started being built and in the 16th century, the site was turned into a Plaza surrounded by Renaissance buildings.  Trujillo was the hometown of the "conquistadores" Francisco Pizarro, Francisco de Orellana and Hernando de Alarcon, who after returning from the Americas built magnificent palaces close to the Plaza Mayor as a demonstration of wealth and power. In the Plaza there are a number of cafes and restaurants where you can rest and enjoy a drink or a meal.