Plasencia

Plasencia was founded in 1186, though the territory was already inhabited in prehistory — ceramic remains found in the Cueva de Boquique confirm earlier settlement. One of the earliest written references to a bullfight anywhere appears in Alfonso X's Cantigas de Santa María, in the so-called "Toro de Plasencia," describing a fight held in the city's main square.

In 1442, King Juan II of Castile handed the city to the Zúñiga family, granting Pedro de Zúñiga the title of Count of Plasencia. The city lost its vote in the Castilian Cortes as a result. In 1446, Bishop Juan de Carvajal established a humanities college here — the first institution of university rank in what is now Extremadura.

Plasencia was drawn into the succession struggle following the death of Enrique IV. In 1475, Juana la Beltraneja married Alfonso V of Portugal in the city's Casa de las Argollas, where both were proclaimed monarchs. The nobility eventually revolted against the Zúñigas, and the royal status of the city was restored in 1488 — ratified at the cathedral doors by Fernando the Catholic himself. Fernando later moved to live in Plasencia in 1515 and died in January 1516 while travelling from the city toward Guadalupe.

Plasencia's historic centre has been a protected cultural site since 1958. The city is the seat of its own diocese and contains two cathedrals side by side. The old cathedral was built between the 12th and 13th centuries in Romanesque style, and its chapter house is a highlight. The new cathedral was begun in the late 15th century under architects including Juan de Álava, Diego de Siloé, and Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, but construction halted in 1760, leaving it unfinished. Its choir stalls by Rodrigo Alemán and the high altarpiece by Gregorio Fernández are outstanding.

The city's medieval walls still encircle the old town, pierced by seven named gates including the Puerta de Trujillo, Puerta de Coria, and Puerta del Sol. The Torre Lucía, part of the wall complex, once served as a beacon fire tower to guide travellers approaching the city at night.

Among the palaces, the Marqués de Mirabel, Carvajal-Girón, and Monroy stand out, alongside noble houses such as the Casa de las Argollas, where the 1475 royal marriage took place. The former Dominican convent now houses the Parador Nacional de Plasencia.

The A66 motorway runs along Plasencia's western edge, linking Cáceres to the south and Salamanca to the north; the EX-A1 bypasses to the south, with the N630 and EX-370 connecting both roads to the town. The historic centre around Plaza Mayor and inside the old walls is entirely walkable, and the main streets leading to the cathedral square and Plaza Mayor are pedestrianised. Restaurants concentrate in this historic core.

The city runs three bus lines, with live route maps available at contenidos.plasencia.es/autobuses; Line 2 serves the train station.