Malpartida de Plasencia is located in the Comarca de MonfragĂĽe. For planning your stay, there are several different themes to focus on: the architectural history of the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, local customs and several paths through the landscape. This lets you tailor your choices according to whether you are primarily interested in church art, archaeological traces or hiking.
Church, Archaeology and Local Customs
The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista was built between 1515 and 1603. Its single-nave layout has a ribbed vault and ends in a polygonal apse. The church interior also features a Baroque altarpiece from the 17th century, which bears clear similarities to the school of Gregorio Fernández. The building’s history, its layout and the altarpiece offer different points of interest during a visit, so the impression is not limited to a single feature.
Local traditions also have their own distinctive character. The San Blas tradition is associated with the Convite del Mayordomo, held on February 3. It includes a lamb raffle, the sale of San Blas throat amulets, traditional clothing worn during religious celebrations at the hermitage, and a Cucaña. Program details may vary from year to year. At the Concurso de albañilerĂa, professionals from all over Spain carry out a task designed in advance by an architect, recreating historical working methods.
Hiking Trails and Landscape
The Ruta El Robledo is a relatively easy circular hiking trail that starts in Malpartida de Plasencia, within the boundaries of MonfragĂĽe National Park. It is marked in white and yellow as a short-distance hiking trail (PR). Along the route are a reservoir and numerous springs with stone basins, particularly around the Arroyo de los Pilones. These details help convey the character of the trail: it combines a marked hiking route with several named landscape features.
The archaeological sites at Cerro de Castillejos can be reached via a signposted out-and-back route. The total distance is 4,937 metres and the difficulty level is low. Three routes are suggested at the springs of Dehesa Boyal El Robledo, one each through Los Valles, Dehesa de Abajo and Dehesa de Arriba. The facilities at the springs are still in use; some are considered very old. As conditions on the suggested routes may change seasonally, check the situation locally.
La Laguna is a natural area representative of Malpartida de Plasencia. Aquatic species and birds live there; sightings may vary depending on the season. The fenced Parque Municipal offers a children’s playground and other recreational areas. The San Cristóbal recreation area has barbecue grills and picnic areas for spending time outdoors. Check these facilities locally before using them.
A Glimpse into the Dehesa
The Finca El Carrascal in Malpartida de Plasencia is home to the Museo Vivo de la Dehesa, an agro-pastoral estate adapted for visitors. The museum includes an ethnographic museum, an exhibition of photographs of wild animals, and an audiovisual presentation about the Dehesas of MonfragĂĽe. Several nature trails and walks focus on experiencing the landscape firsthand. If you plan to visit the Museo Vivo de la Dehesa, check availability before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Casas Del Castañar, La Cumbre, Guijo De Coria, Madrigalejo, Madroñera, Casas de Miravete, Cañamero, Coria.
For the main travel overview: Cáceres.
