Discover Ruanes through its different layers of history: from a church with Gothic and Neo-Gothic features to stone crosses and festivals whose traditions go back a long way. The region’s landscapes and practical travel-planning information are also part of the picture.
Church Art and Traces of History
The Iglesia Parroquial de La AsunciĂłn is a Gothic and Neo-Gothic church dating from the 15th and 20th centuries. The polychrome wooden carving of the Virgen de la Breva is a work from the first half of the 17th century. Both works of architecture and art offer different ways to explore the history of the town.
Large traditional houses with wide façades and distinctive entrance portals have been preserved in the town centre. Quiet, well-maintained streets are also part of its character. The manor houses retain traces of wealthy landowners; the cemetery is considered the most significant evidence of this former wealth. Ruanes also has archaeological remains from Roman times.
Individual crosses also mark significant moments in history. A stone wayside cross dating to the late 18th century stands on Calle Pizarro. Another stone wayside cross, set on two square stone steps, is located on the road to La Cumbre; it probably dates from the 17th century. A visit can therefore take in both the history of the town and different forms of religious art.
In 1628, under Felipe IV, Ruanes was granted the status of a villa. This should be distinguished from the possible Roman settlement of Reuveanas: Ruanes is associated with it, and the derivation of the town’s name from it is also a possibility, not a confirmed explanation.
Festivals, Processions and Regional Cuisine
The festival of San Gregorio Ostiense is celebrated in Ruanes on 9 May. On this occasion, the local community fulfils a vow that was confirmed at an open municipal assembly on 4 May 1749. The celebration includes a pilgrimage: an image of the saint is carried in procession from the church to the Cruz de San Gregorio. If you are travelling for this festival, check the exact dates and arrangements locally in advance.
Los Ofertorios takes place on the second weekend of August. The programme includes an open-air dance, children’s games and the traditional auction, also known as the puja. Items auctioned include handicrafts, cured meats, eggs, pulses, liqueurs and the sweet rosca de piñonate; offerings may vary from year to year. The two festivals take place at different times of year and offer different opportunities to discover Ruanes’s traditions. It is also advisable to confirm the programme for the relevant year before travelling to Los Ofertorios.
Traditional Ruanes cuisine includes air-dried hams from home slaughtering, roast lamb and chanfainas. At the crossroads of the roads to Salvatierra, La Cumbre, Santa Ana and Botija, there is a restaurant serving traditional dishes. As you should confirm that it is open before travelling, a quick check before your visit is recommended.
Landscape and Practical Information
There is a pond beside the cemetery where terrapins can be observed. A route to San Gregorio reaches an altitude of around 630 metres and passes through a landscape where nature has developed with little human intervention.
The ZEPA Llanos de Trujillo is part of the wider regional landscape. Open areas of grasses, annual herbs and pasture alternate with areas of broom, rush meadows and oak formations. These open habitats provide refuge for birds adapted to such environments. The protected area’s boundaries run, among other places, along the EX-381 between Trujillo and Ruanes and along the municipal connecting road between Ruanes and Ibahernando.
Ruanes can be reached from Trujillo via the EX-381; the distance is given as 18 kilometres. Check current road conditions before setting off. The festival dates are also useful for planning: San Gregorio is celebrated on 9 May and Los Ofertorios on the second weekend of August. If one of the festivals is the main reason for your visit, confirm the dates and programme in advance.
Discover more destinations: Hoyos, Gata, Fresnedoso De Ibor, Santa Ana, Romangordo, Torremenga, Marchagaz, Caminomorisco.
View the wider travel guide: Cáceres.
