press dossier vÍa de la plata route€¦ · the iberian peninsula. the vía de la plata route is...

PRESS DOSSIER

VÍA DE LA PLATA ROUTE

2017

[email protected] • www.rutadelaplata.com/en/ • Tel.: +34 985 18 51 00

THE VÍA DE LA PLATA ROUTE

The building of a Roman road commenced in the

1st

century AD, exploiting the presence of a

natural corridor in the west of the Iberian

Peninsula which was to become one of its major

road links over time. Besides linking up some of

the major cities on the peninsula, the route also

served to spread Roman culture. Moreover, the

road was provided from the start with

infrastructures that have nowadays become

important remains marking its path.

The Via de la Plata was second only in

importance on the Iberian Peninsula to the Via

Augusta. Work commenced under the consul

Quintus Servilius Caepio, but it was the Emperor Augustus who really pushed forward its

construction. Work continued under the emperor Tiberius, while the Hispanic emperors Trajan

and Hadrian were the ones who would give it its definitive form.

During the Middle Ages, it facilitated the Arab invasion northward, while also enabling the

advance of the re-conquering Christian troops, and became an indisputable transport axis

linking north and south.

It was also at this time when it took on its present-day name, the Via de la Plata, which derives from

the Arabic term balath or BaLaTa, meaning pavement or paved road.

It is nowadays one of the most important and attractive itineraries in Europe, located to the west of

the Iberian Peninsula.

The Vía de la Plata route is based along an

old communication axis of the Spanish West.

Today, it is a magnificent and varied route

possessing several World Heritage Sites and

representing a top-level cultural and tourism

potential in both the Iberian Peninsula and

the European Union.

The route goes across 4 regions and 7

provinces on a North-South axis of about

800 km and more than 120.000 square km and has strong links with neighbouring

Portugal.

The open multi-thematic character of the route allows different historical, cultural and

ethnographical interpretations, increases its attraction. A large tourist circuit capable of

bringing together all the excellent natural resources and different local cultures present in the

territory around the axis of towns with an important historical heritage.


A ROUTE BRIMMING WITH CULTURE

The fact that the route is Roman in origin should not obscure the fact that the territory it

traverses boasts an interesting heritage from all ages, even from before the coming of the

Romans, such as in the Gate of Seville Fortress in Carmona, of Carthaginian origin, or in the

Aramo Mines, dating from the Bronze Age, in Riosa.

The Roman world, which is very

present, could also be symbolized by

the ancient milestones that marked

the distances along the road, like

those that can be seen in Casar de Cáceres, and by the road itself, which,

besides the trace its path has left

behind, still preserves some of its

sections in perfect condition in Baños de Montemayor and Ribera de Arriba.

Likewise worthy of note are: its Arab

legacy, so present in the Royal

Fortress and in the Giralda in Seville

or in Montemolín, the last Arab

stronghold in Extremadura; the

Hebrew tradition in Hervás, in the

form of its beautiful Jewry; the

Asturian Pre-Romanesque in the elegant church of Santa Cristina in Lena; the Romanesque,

epitomised by the beautiful church of Santa Maria del Azogue in Benavente, in the region of Zamora; the Gothic, present in the altarpiece of the Church of the Divine Saviour in Calzadilla de los Barros; the Baroque of Seville; and so on.

Contemporary architecture has also become one of the leading features of the route, along

which magnificent 20th

and 21st

century buildings can be found, such as those that house

LABoral, City of Culture in Gijon or the coach station in Casar de Cáceres. Not to forget the

Industrial Heritage linked to this architecture, which also finds its reflection on the route in sites

such as Bustiello Mining Village in Mieres, the Flour Mill in La Bañeza, now a museum, and the

textile factories that are the main feature of an interesting route in Béjar.

Besides magnificent old quarters, more rural municipalities boast a ethnographic heritage such

as the remarkable collection of hórreos and paneras (raised granaries and storehouses) in Ribera de Arriba, a symbol of how folk traditions and customs are still part of the everyday life of these

places, where artisans who make products such as the chestnut baskets on sale in Baños de Montemayor represent a link with our more recent past.


ROMAINS REMAINS in the associated municipalities The roman remains that are currently present throughout the route and in the towns associated

to the network are:

ASTURIAS

GIJÓN

• Roman baths

• Roman wall

• Campa de Torres Archaeological and

Nature Park

• Veranes Roman Villa

LLANERA

Various Roman remains (Provincial Archaeological

Museum), outstanding among which are:

• The altar (ara) dedicated to the guardian

deities of roadways (Lares Viales)

• Mosaic

RIBERA DE ARRIBA

• The roman road (Picullanza)

MIERES

• La Carisa roman road (Ujo)

• Lucio Corona votive altar

• Nimmedo Seddiago altar

• Gayo Sulpicio stele

LA POLA, LENA

• La Carisa camp

• Curriechos mountain peak

• La Carisa roman road

• Memorana mosaic (Provincial Museum

Archaelogy)

ALLER

• La Carisa roman camp

• Curriechos mountain peak

• La Carisa roman road

• Votive altar devoted to Jupiter (Serapio)

CASTILLA Y LEÓN

LA POLA DE GORDÓN

• Roman road ruins (Buiza de Gordón)

• Easterly vaults of Tornero bridge

(Beberino de Gordón)

• Roman altar of San Lorenzo chapel (La

Vid de Gordón)

LEÓN

• Roman crypts

• Roman wall

• Roman remains (Museum of León)

• Milestones (León Museum)

• Roman León Interpretation Centre

• San Pedro reservoir and the Canal in El

Cid’s Garden

LA BAÑEZA

• Castrocontrigo gold route

• MAEC (Castrocontrigo Archaeological

and Ethnographic Museum)

• The roads called the Calzada del Obispo

and the Calzada de las Valderías. Part of

the so-called Vía 17 de Antonino.

• Vizana Bridge (Alija del Infantado)

BENAVENTE

• Patavonium roman camp (Rosinos de

Vidriales)

• La Corona-El Pesadero Archaeological

Information Centre (Manganeses de la

Polvorosa)

ZAMORA

• Roman pontoon in Cabañas de Sayazo

• Roman mosaics (Zamora Museum)

• Fountains and tin fonts in Almaraz

• Roman verraco (sculpture of animal)

and funerary stele in Muelas de Pan

• Funerary stele in Villalcampo

BÉJAR

• Malena bridge and roman road

• Milestones: Malena bridge and

Valverde

• Casafranca marble quarry

• Villa or Palace in Valverde


EXTREMADURA

BAÑOS DE MONTEMAYOR

• The roman road

• Roman baths

• El Cubo bridge

CASAR DE CÁCERES

• Roman road

• Milestones cemetery

MÉRIDA

• Roman theatre and amphitheatre

• Roman houses in the theatre

• Roman circus

• National Museum of Roman Art

• Aqueduct and waterway in Los Milagros

• Aqueduct and baths in San Lázaro

• Roman bridges over the Guadiana and

Albarregas

• Temple of Diana

• Portico of the Forum

• Trajan’s Arch

• Temple of the Provincial Forum

• House of Mithras/Burial Ground in Los

Columbarios

• Archaeological sites in Morerías

(Interpretation Centre: Via de la Plata

and the Alcazaba)

• Roman Baths / Snow Well in Calle Reyes

Huertas

• Castellum aquae and monumental

fountain commemorating Calvary

• Baths in Calle Pontezuelas

• Archaeological site in Calle José Ramón

Mélida (Mosaic Interpretation Centre)

• Basilica of Santa Eulalia (Crypt of the Martyr

and remains of the Temple of Mars)

• Cornalvo Dam

• Proserpina Dam and Alange Spa

LOS SANTOS DE MAIMONA

• Roman remains (Municipal Museum)

ZAFRA

Roman remains in the vicinity of Zafra

reused in numerous buildings

FUENTE DE CANTOS

• Los Castillejos II Pre-Roman settlement

MONTEMOLÍN

• The “Val de Cuerna” Roman Necrópolis

Corinthian capital reused as a Font in the parish

church

ANDALUCÍA

CARMONA

• Vía Augusta (main axis of the city)

• Archaeological monuments: necrópolis

and amphitetheatre

• Sevilla gate

• Cardo Maximus

• Upper Square – Roman Forum area

• Town Hall mosaics

• Town Museum

• Córdoba gate

• Vía Augusta and bridge

SEVILLA

• Archaeological Museum of Seville

• Archaeological Antiquarium Museum of

Seville

• Roman remains in the House of Pilatus

• Lebrija Palace and Dueña Palace

• Roman stones forming part of the

Giralda of Seville (Seville Cathedral)

• Roman columns forming part of the

Alameda de Hercules and temple in

Calle Mámoles

Remains of the Roman aqueduct in Los

Caños de Carmona


A FESTIVE ROUTE

Closely connected with the route’s cultural heritage are its festive events, linked to the seasons

and the work in the field or the commemoration of Saints Days and diverse historical episodes.

These events bring together elements rooted in the cultural traditions of each people such as

popular music, which in itself is an aid to understanding the diversity of a route which starts off

with the rhythm of clapping and flamenco in Andalusia to extend its influence in Extremadura,

where it takes the form of the characteristic dances called rondallas and jotas, and then reaches

Castile and León, where the sound of the traditional dulzaina, a member of the oboe family of

instruments, announces the bagpipes so typical of Asturian lands, thus creating a cultural

melting pot in which the Easter celebrations stand out among countless festivals.

It is precisely on routes such as this where the traveller is given the opportunity to contemplate

diversity in the holding of events of this nature: the North marked by the typical medieval

severity of Castile and the South by the baroque mannerisms of Andalusia. Easter is

undoubtedly the major festivity in Seville and also has a major impact in León, Zamora, and

Carmona, all listed festivities of tourist interest.

Carnival celebrations also take on great importance; for example, the one in La Bañeza has

recently been declared a National Tourist Interest Festivity.

Other more traditional festivals like the “Rope-tied Bull” Festival in Benavente complement

cultural events such as the Flamenco Biennial in Seville, “The Converts” Festival in Hervás, the

Exconxuaros Festival in Llanera, the Short Film Festival in Mieres, the curious Jazz Festival in

Ribera de Arriba and the Gijón International Film Festival, offering a festive and cultural scene

that will undoubtedly captivate the traveller.


UNBOUNDED NATURE

The sea, rivers, mountains and valleys... the 800 kilometre route guarantees a variety of scenery of

great ecological value that allows you to enjoy nature that is both unique and of unusual beauty.

Starting out from the South, the route

commences in the fertile Andalusian

meadowlands of the River Guadalquivir and the

mountains north of Seville to then continue

through the lightly wooded pasturelands or

dehesas, holm oak forests and scrubland of

Extremadura, crisscrossed by the Rivers Guadiana

and Tagus. After crossing the beautiful Sierra de

Béjar, the dehesas of Salamanca are transformed

into the grain-growing plains characteristic of

Castile, watered by the Rivers Douro and Esla,

which give rise to important wetlands such as the

Villafáfila Lakes.

North of the province of León, with the Cantabrian

Mountains as a backdrop, the green landscape of

the mountains of Asturias announces the end of a

journey –on the shores of the Bay of Biscay– that

will surely conquer the traveller.

The route boasts three Biosphere Reserves (the River Casares Valley in La Pola de Gordon, the

Sierra de Béjar and the Sierra de Francia in Castile and Leon, and Monfragüe Biosphere Reserve

in Extremadura), two National Parks and numerous parks and nature reserves that host a rich

variety of wildlife.

It is a perfect route to be travelled by bicycle, whether placidly enjoying the scenery or emulating

the feats of great athletes by ascending the now famous mountain pass of “L’Angliru” in Riosa.

The tradition of pilgrimage, already a classic on the route, enables you to experience the route

with the measured pace necessary to immerse yourself in its culture and nature. And without

the need to complete the route, the possibilities for hikers are almost endless: the Monsacro

Chapels route in Morcín; the Roman road of La Carisa in Lena and Aller; the Pino Gorges, also in

Aller; the Faedo route in La Pola de Gordon and the archaeological route in the Valleys of

Benavente, to name but a few.

Reservoirs, river courses and the sea –at one end of the route– allow the practice of sports

activities related to the world of water. There are hunting and fishing preserves for those who

like these sports, as well as golf courses. There are also three ski resorts (Fuentes de Invierno in

Aller, Valgrande Pajares in Lena, and La Covatilla in Béjar), rounding off an interesting choice

for those of a more sporty bent.

A no less healthy way to enjoy the route is provided by its spas, like those of Roman origin in

Baños de Montemayor and the more modern Talasoterapia seawater therapy centre in Gijón.


THE GASTRONOMIC ROUTE

A spectacular cuisine is to be found along the

entire route, whose greatest riches are to be

found in the quality of the raw materials and

culinary traditions that mix together different

influences.

From the cuisine of the North, with the fish

and seafood of Asturias, Castilian roasts, cured

meats throughout Extremadura and Castile

and the Mediterranean cuisine of the South

with its Andalusian influence, with olive oil,

fruits and vegetables taking centre stage, such

as in the Andalusian cold soup gazpacho.

• The bean and pulse and meat stews, which in each region take on different forms, such as

Asturian fabada, the typical stew made from turnips in Morcín, which also has its own

festivity, chickpea stew in La Pola de Gordon, the typical veal and potato stew called

calderillo in Béjar and casseroles in Calzadilla de los Barros and Montemolín.

• The different quality brand wines such as Tierra de León, Tierra del Vino de Zamora, wines

from the Valles de Benavente and the Ribera del Guadiana, which are joined by typical

Asturian cider, tasted outdoors, as is the custom in the Plaza de Requejo in Mieres.

• The cheeses, of which there are three designations of origin on the route (Afuega’l Pitu

made in Morcín in Asturias, Queso Zamorano in Castile and León, and Torta del Casar in

Casar de Cáceres in Extremadura).

• The Iberian cured meats, symbolised by an Iberian ham whose Designations of Origin –

Guijuelo and Dehesa de Extremadura– have become star gastronomic products on the route.

Special mention must also be made of the sweets made along the route, the variety of which

ranges from hearty northern desserts to the confectioneries of the south influenced by Arabic

and Hebrew traditions, a common element being the convent sweets made in the different

convents and monasteries along the route.

In short, it is a route boasting more than sixty quality brand products that succeed in seducing

the traveller, offering a symphony of aromas, flavours and colours that are likewise reflected in

numerous gastronomic festivals and events.


THE COOPERATION NETWORK OF THE TOWNS ON THE RUTA DE LA PLATA

It is a voluntary Association made up of towns and

cities situated on the so-called "Silver Trail",

identified in this respect with the N-630 Gijón-

Seville National Road, founded to act jointly in

order to defend and promote their tourist,

historical, cultural and economic resources.

The Network is integrated by the following towns

and villages, grouped according to their

autonomous communities:

Principality of Asturias Castile and León Extremadura Andalusia

Gijón La Pola de Gordón Baños de Montemayor Seville

Llanera León Hervás Carmona

Ribera de Arriba La Bañeza Plasencia

Morcín Benavente Casar de Cáceres

Riosa Zamora Mérida

Mieres Guijuelo Los Santos de Maimona

Aller Béjar Zafra

Lena Calzadilla de los Barros

Fuente de Cantos

Montemolín

Since its beginnings, the Network has carried out important actions related to training,

promotion and marketing in the field of tourism, all of which have raised local awareness about

the potential of this area. It has also been decisive in popularising the incomparable though not

yet sufficiently well known tourism resources along this route among both the Spanish and

European public.

press dossier vÍa de la plata route€¦ · the iberian peninsula. the vía de la plata route is...

Documents