A granite outcrop shapes the first impression of Trujillo: on the Berrocal, towers and ruins stand out against the sky above the town. Around the Plaza Mayor, churches, castles and manor houses form an ensemble classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest). Visitors to Trujillo can explore its history in different ways—from the townscape and individual buildings to museums and festivals.

Plaza Mayor and historic architecture

Trujillo’s historic character encompasses a medieval villa shaped by Arab influence and a town dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The monumental Plaza Mayor is dominated by a bronze equestrian statue of Pizarro. For centuries, the square was the social and commercial centre, hosting markets, festivals and various events. These different historical layers are as much a part of the townscape as the distinctive silhouette on the Berrocal.

Trujillo Castle stands at the highest point in the town. It was built in the 13th century on the site of an Arab fortress dating from the 9th or 10th century. Its features include square towers typical of Islamic military architecture, as well as two clearly defined areas: the Patio de Armas and the Albacara. Those interested in defensive architecture can compare the building forms with their historical predecessors here.

The churches offer a range of architectural and artistic points of interest. The Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor dates from the 13th century and retains both Romanesque and Gothic elements; it may have been built over an Arab mosque. Inside are a Gothic main altarpiece from the workshop of Fernando Gállego and a Plateresque choir. The Iglesia de San Martín de Tours, meanwhile, has the Gothic Portal de las Limas, dating from the late 15th century. Its artworks include a Templar image from the 13th century, an altarpiece from the last quarter of the 17th century, and a Baroque organ made by Antonio de Larrea y Galarza in 1762. The Convento de Santa Clara adds a Renaissance cloister built in 1530 and a Plateresque bell gable to this architectural picture.

Museums and notable buildings

The Casa-Museo de Pizarro is dedicated to the famous conquistador from Extremadura and is located on the site of the former Pizarro family home. The ground floor recreates the home of a 15th-century Spanish hidalgo; upstairs, an exhibition explores the life and work of the historical figure. Check access to the exhibition before your trip.

The Museo y Centro de Visitantes Los Descubridores is housed in the Iglesia de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, restored in 2016. It presents the process of discovering, conquering, colonising and evangelising the New World. The exhibition is divided into four sections and displays objects, documents and graphic information about seafaring and land exploration. In this way, it sets different perspectives on the period alongside one another.

For a different kind of visitor experience, the Planetario de Trujillo is located in the cloister of the Conventual de San Francisco. Its hemispherical pneumatic dome is twelve metres in diameter, and digital projection creates an immersive planetarium experience. The Aljibe de Altamirano is another distinctive historic structure: this Arab cistern consists of three naves with three barrel vaults. Since opening to tourism, it has been adapted for visitors. La Alberca is partly carved into the natural rock. A wide, carefully crafted stone staircase leads down to two springs. On the other side, behind the round tower, lie the remains of a fortified Visigothic building associated with the first knights of Trujillo and the origins of the Order of Alcántara.

Festivals and when to visit

The events calendar can also influence when you choose to visit. Chíviri, a festival of regional tourist interest, takes place every year on Easter Sunday in the Plaza Mayor. Traditional songs and local dress are among its defining features; the exact date depends on Easter. Semana Santa de Trujillo is also classified as a festival of regional tourist interest.

For cheese lovers, the Feria Nacional del Queso is another reason to time a stay around an event. Held since 1985 over the long weekend around 1 May, it features cheese exhibitions and tastings. More than 300 varieties from across Spain, as well as from several European and Latin American countries, come together at the fair. Tasting competitions focus on sheep’s and goat’s cheeses. The number of varieties and their international mix may vary from one edition to the next; check the dates and programme before your trip, too.

For official guided tours of Trujillo, the municipal tourism portal offers an online booking system. Check the latest booking details if you are planning a tour. Whether you are more interested in historic architecture, museums or a festival, each offers a different starting point for planning your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: San Clemente, Tornavacas, Jaraicejo, San Martín De Trevejo, Santiago De Alcántara, Cabezuela Del Valle, Carrascalejo, Calzadilla.

For the main travel overview: Cáceres.