Plaza de Santa María de Guadalupe with the facade of the monastery in the background
Under the Extremaduran sky there is a town that shines more than any other. Is about Guadeloupe , a town located in the Caceres province, in the heart of the Villuercas Ibores-Jara Geopark, just 240 kilometers from Madrid.
World Heritage Site since 1993, First Rural Wonder of Spain by Toprural and one of the most beautiful towns in the country according to the Association of the Most Beautiful Towns in Spain.
Indisputable acknowledgments to which in 2017 was added the fact of being chosen, through a contest organized by Ferrero Rocher , for the campaign shine your town . The prize came in the form of light: more than 50,000 light bulbs, 2,100 meters of garland curtain Y an eight meter tall tree covered by 960 meters of lighting . Lighting that every year at this time makes the town of Cáceres shine, turning it into a sensational image of Christmas.
A walk through the streets of Guadalupe at Christmas
The dedication of its inhabitants to make Guadalupe an indispensable Christmas image , it does not end there. Last weekend it was announced that it was the **finalist town, along with Puebla de Sanabria**, to host the New Year's chimes of Telecinco and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the most Christmas chocolate firm.
Regarding lighting, the mayor of Guadalupe, Philip Sanchez Beard , details that during these two years it has been extended to more streets thanks to the support of the city council, the neighbors and the businessmen. “ Even the master craftsman Manuel Torrejón has made an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe out of lights ”.
Currently the lighting has more than 100,000 bulbs, 12,400 meters of garland wire Y 367 light motifs , an action that has considerably increased tourist visits to the area.
Plaza de Santa María de Guadalupe with the facade of the monastery in the background
For this walk of lights we will enter the Seville street to Plaza de Santa María de Guadalupe , main point of illumination in which it stands out the big tree and the facade of the Monastery.
From there we will go through the surrounding streets to enjoy the brightness of Guadalupe: Nueva street, Alfonso Onceno avenue, Gregorio López street . The last stop on our tour will be the Square of the Three Jets , where a small market for local products has been set up.
The most popular enclave of the municipality is the Royal Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe . Place where great events in the history of Spain have been carried out, such as the visit of Pope John Paul II and the gratitude of the Catholic Monarchs for the Conquest of Granada or that of Columbus, in 1493, for the discovery of America, as reported Antonio Ramiro, Official Chronicler of Guadalupe.
Fountain of the 3 jets of Guadalupe
Since its construction in XIV century , has become the second most important pilgrimage center in Spain after Santiago de Compostela. The building has been inhabited by up to 180 monks. It stands out from him the cloister, with its iconic Mudejar-style pavilion, and the great works of Zurbarán, Goya, Rubens or El Greco exhibited in one of its museums.
The Disentailment of Mendizábal ended the splendor of the monastery, which was not recovered until 1908 the Franciscan friars brought it back to life.
Another of the most beautiful places in Guadeloupe is the passion street with its characteristic architecture adorned by plants. In addition, its historic center will reveal the he baroque church of the Holy Trinity, the Colegio de los Infantes (current Parador de Turismo), the Women's Hospital founded in 1447 Y five medieval arches scattered around its walls.
Cloister of the monastery of Guadalupe
SURPRISE GASTRONOMY
A visit is not complete without having tasted the delicacies of the place. For this we head to Something like that , a picturesque restaurant located on a farm on the outskirts of hemp , 20 kilometers from Guadeloupe.
There, in a little house surrounded by an olive grove, the Swiss couple Frank and Susanna Sinzig has been delighting its guests for more than twenty years, with a complete gastronomic experience. A closed surprise menu, from 35 euros, made with products from his garden and local markets. A careful presentation accompanies each dish served in handmade crockery. Everything is simple, without frills, because in Algo Así the important thing is to eat and eat well.
The first thing they serve is a bottle of organic wine, a jug of water and another of seasonal fruit juice perfectly combined with the wine. Quickly, various starters, a fish dish and a hearty meat dish begin to parade around the table. The dessert begins with a gigantic and assorted cheese board , a fruit bowl about to overflow, ice cream and an assortment of homemade liqueurs. Quantity and quality are not at odds.
To wash down the more than six dishes that we will have put into our bodies, Frank and Susanna offer us a "digestive walk" among the olive trees of the estate.
We will not reveal any more secrets. The best thing will be to sit at the table and let yourself be surprised...
Passion Street, in Guadalupe, at Christmas