Zafra, Extremadura
Zafra, Extremadura - Overview:
Zafra, a mild weather region, is situated in a wide valley between Castellar and the San Cristobal sierra in southern Extremadura. Zafra is close to the cities of Badajoz and Merida, the old centre has a wealth of historic buildings and monuments and boasts a wonderful Parador hotel. The Parador hotel is located within the Palacio de los Duques de Feria and it is open every day to visitors who are not residents.
Zafra, Extremadura - Activities:
Popular pastimes in Zafra include cycling, horse riding, swimming, walking and trekking. Zafra (or Safar as the Moors called it) is not only home to a very broad and significant historical and artistic heritage, but is also undoubtedly, one of southern Extremadura�s most important commercial centres.
Zafra, Extremadura - History:
Zafra was originally a Roman settlement, named Restituta Julia and later, in the 11th century, was dominated by Arabs before King Alfonso IX conquered the town in 1229. The second and ultimate conquest took place in 1241 by King Fernando III known as el Santo.
In 1395 Zafra reached its most important economic period and became popular for its outstanding markets. Leather and silver crafts were the most important source of wealth. The clothes markets, renowned since the Arabian domination, where also important and were held in the Plaza Chica where merchants from La Rioja, Castilla and Andalucia all came to buy. Nowadays Zafra is most known for its international cattle market.
Zafra, Extremadura - Sightseeing:
The city has a fascinating mix of old and new. The Plaza Grande, the old noble centre, is surrounded by a colonnaded area, over which there are houses with coats of arms and artistic lattices. The entrance to the Plaza Chica, where the Vara de Medir is sculpted on one of its columns, is located at the Arquillo del Pan. There are also Arabic houses with artistic wrought iron balconies and a fine Court House in the neo-classical style.
The Parador, located in the Duques de Feria palace, was built in 1437 and has an outstanding renaissance style patio, as well as a chapel with a gothic mudejar dome. You really must see the Convento de Santa Clara, La Casa Grande and the Alc�zar de los Duques de Feria. Zafra�s 15th-century castle is the largest and best preserved in the region. It is set within the angular, stark white architecture of Zafra, which is also said to have inspired the cubists.
Zafra itself is steeped in history and the two Plazas (main squares), known as Plaza Chica (the small one) and Plaza Grande (the big one) date back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Also, the fifteenth and sixteenth-century Gothic Church of Nuestra senora de Candalaria has magnificent baroque and Churrigueresque altarpieces.
Zafra, Extremadura - Our holiday accommodation and service:
Travel with secretdestinations.com holidays and enjoy delightful, privileged holiday destinations in Extremadura (including Caceres, Merida, Trujillo and Zafra) at the historic heart of Central Spain. From privately owned houses, charming cottages, villas and apartments to villas with pools, luxury spa hotels and a full range of fabulous Paradores; all hand picked in beautiful locations for an authentic taste of unspoiled secret Extremadura and Central Spain.
So, if you're looking for an activity or nature holiday, walking, cycling, trekking or bird watching; a spot of rural tourism soaking up the traditional Spanish culture and heritage with historic sightseeing in Castille or Extremadura; exploring fairytale castles, beautiful countryside and fascinating villages, rural towns and historic cities such as Plasencia and Merida; following the historic pilgrims routes or silver route; sampling hearty rural Spanish fayre or simply enjoying a shopping trip or city break in Madrid, Spain's capital city; call our holiday team today.
Many of our clients enjoy touring holidays through central Spain, to experience the unique areas of Castilla la Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Extremadura and Madrid in one holiday. We are therefore very happy to arrange itineraries for you staying in a selection of different Parador hotels along your chosen route. We can also assist you with flights to Madrid and other areas of central Spain, ferry travel, holiday car hire and travel insurance.
