Located just a short drive from the monumental city of Cáceres, Trujillo’s castle acts as a clear signpost that something extraordinary is just waiting to be discovered. Looming over the town centre, the medieval stone fortress is just one of many historic landmarks Trujillo harbours; a gorgeous cluster of Roman, Islamic and Christian architecture makes up the picturesque townscape.
Come sip on some vermouth in the bustling Plaza Major and explore the town’s labyrinthine, cobblestoned streets, flanked with medieval churches, palaces and towers. Clamber up Cuesta de la Sangre to admire the 10th-century castle and learn all about the conquistador of Peru Francisco Pizarro at the Casa-Museo de Pizarro – nothing can prepare you for the visual feast that is Trujillo.
Read on to learn everything there is to know about this alluring town in southwestern Spain.
Trujillo’s top attractions
The incredible architectural heritage of this quaint town dates all the way back to Roman times when it was known as Turgalium. Later, it became an important outpost of the Emirate of Córdoba and the Moorish influence can still be seen in many of the buildings.
However, the most significant influence came during the Reconquista and during the 14th and 15th centuries, when the wealthy conquistadors of Peru returned to their hometown. They commissioned the construction of sumptuous palaces and fortresses that still retain their splendour to this day.
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Trujillo’ Plaza Mayor
Trujillo’s main square bustles with activity all day and night long with the coming and goings of locals. The square doesn’t only serve as a prime meeting point but also hosts numerous popular festivals.
The handsome irregularly-shaped square is surrounded by some of the town’s most lauded landmarks: Palacio de los Duques de San Carlos where King Felipe II stayed when in town; Palacio de los Marqueses de la Conquista and its ornate Plateresque balcony; and the 14th-century Iglesia de San Martín which blends Gothic and Modern decorative styles.
A large, equestrian statue of the conquistador Francisco Pizzaro dominates the square, which is one of the most emblematic statues in Spain. The same statue can be found in Lima, Peru.
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The castle of Trujillo and Casa-Museo de Pizarro
Trujillo’s monolithic castle rises high above town and is worth the hike. Take any of the streets leading up and out of Plaza Mayor to reach this iconic monument. The way up promises to be filled with historic treasures every step of the way. If you happen to take Ronda de las Almenas, you’ll access the castle site through one of the four (of seven) medieval doors that still stand. You will also come across the 13th-century Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor. Take the time to step inside and admire the stunning altarpiece by the Spanish artist Fernando Gallego. You’ll also stumble upon La Alberca, a 14-m deep Moorish well that continues to be filled with water after all these centuries.
Casa-Museo de Pizarro is located just before the castle. This museum occupies the family home of the conquistador Francisco Pizzaro and showcases a small collection of furniture, personal effects, documents, and displays recreating the conquests and discoveries in Peru – a unique glance at what he saw when he first discovered Peru.
The castle is a 9th-century Moorish fortress built when the Caliphate of Cordoba ruled south-western Spain. The influence can be clearly seen in the horseshoe arch, the masonry and the towering, crenelated turrets. As soon as you step onto the ancient castle grounds, you will feel as if you’ve been transported back in time. In fact, that’s probably what prompted the producers of Games of Thrones to choose this location to represent Casterly Rock, the ancestral home of the Lannisters, in Season Seven.
Climb to the top of the castle and walk along the battlements to take in the soul-stirring views of the town and the sprawling countryside – there is no better way to grasp the grappling beauty of this stunning enclave.
Remnants of the Americas in Trujillo
At the beginning of the 16th century, Francisco Pizarro and his brothers left Trujillo to set sail across the Atlantic Ocean in search of unchartered territories. They returned home wealthy and influenced by the conquered New World cultures. They erected sumptuous palaces and fortresses in their hometown – some of which have singular architectural features that can be seen nowhere else in Spain.
One such example is the majestic Palacio de los Marqueses de la Conquista, commissioned by Hernando Pizarro and his wife, Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui. The carved façade is adorned with King Carlos V’s coat-of-arms, the Pizarro family shield and allegorical images of the conquest of Peru.
Where to eat in Trujillo
Extremadura offers scrumptious traditional cuisine and products. Hit the restaurants around Plaza Major or any around town really to try local delicacies such as migas extremeñas (surprisingly delicious fried bread crumbs), moraga (a type of blood pudding), Pimentón de la Vera (smoky paprika), Torta del Casar (the gloriously pungent raw sheep’s milk cheese), patatera (a type of sausage made from pork and potatoes) and Iberian ham (the most coveted in the country). Read on for some of the town’s best places to grab a bite.
Trujillo’s most renowned restaurant is La Troya, located right in Plaza Mayor. This eatery is reputed around Spain for its home-style cooking and generous portions. The walls are lined with hundreds of pictures of the founder with celebrities who have eaten here.
Other great options include Restaurante Bizcocho (Plaza Mayor); Corral del Rey and El 7, which are both located on Calle Sillerías and offer an amazing price-quality ratio. If the hike up to the castle opens up your appetite, take a break and head to Mirador de las Monjas.
Cheese lovers should plan a trip to Trujillo the first week of May when the annual Cheese Fair is held. There are over a hundred stands with cheeses from all around world which can be enjoyed with the region’s little known, but excellent Extremadura wines – and all at more than affordable prices.
Going out in Trujillo
If you ask locals which town in Extremadura offers the best party scene, the response is always Trujillo! And they aren’t wrong; the town has a contagious joie-de-vivre. Experience it first-hand by heading to Plaza Major and grabbing a seat at any one of the terraces and bars. Gloss Gin Bar offers a great selection of drinks and cocktails in a privileged corner of the square.
Continue your night crawl along the bar-lined Calle Sillerías and end your night dancing away at La Abadía on Calle García. The club offers several different spaces but the absolute take-away is the terrace and the views of the floodlit castle.
