The Sierra de Francia route
The picturesque mountain villages of Salamanca have managed to conserve a large part of the popular architecture visible in the quaint winding streets with an enchanting medieval ambience. This route takes you through beautiful landscapes full of mountains and plains where the vegetation consists of oaks, Holm oaks, chestnuts, olives, pines and fruit trees.
We begin our journey in the lovely town of Béjar, where the Plaza Mayor is dominated by the impressive Hombre de Musgo statue. Here you will find many renaissance style buildings such as the historic town hall as well as the Roman Mudejar church of Del Salvador, and other important monuments including the Ducal Palace, raised on ruins of an ancient Muslim citadel and the old part of town which has been declared of great historic and artistic importance.

On the C-515 road we carry on to Miranda del Castañar, situated on a high point and surrounded by the flowing San Benito and Francia rivers. Here the ruins of a 15th century castle stand out, with the door of San Ginés in the old wall leading to the parish church which has many interesting sepulchres inside. Other impressive monuments here are the 13th-14th century Santiago church and the 16th century Plaza de Toros. In the outskirts you'll find the Ermita de la Virgin de la Cuesta, the patron saint of the town.

We leave Miranda del Castañar and continue in the direction of La Alberca taking a stop in Mogarraz to enjoy the examples of popular architecture and the famous handcrafts made here including the gold and silver work as well as the cowboy boots. Arriving at La Alberca, an ancient strong hold of the Duke of Alba, there is an interesting ensemble of historic - artistic importance, considered the prettiest in the region. Within the towns monumental legacy we can enjoy the many examples of popular architecture, the Plaza Mayor, the parish church with a 16th century pulpit and a wooden carving of Cristo del Sudor.

Taking the direction of Las Hurdes we arrive at the Las Batuecas valley, the national reserve in Caza, where we can admire the incredible Cabras Pintás cave paintings. On the SA-202 now we arrive at Peña de Francia, where you'll find the 15th century sanctuary raised by Simón Vela after he found the image of the Virgen Maria. From the Peña Francia we detour via the locality of San Martín de Castañar, which has numerous examples of popular architecture preserved. Here the emphasis is on the 13th century Roman Mudejar church of San Martín which has the 16th century images of the Cristo del Miserere and the Virgen de la Gracia, and the towns Plaza de Toros. In the outskirts of the area there is an old Roman bridge and road, the Ermita del Socorro and the Del Humilladero nature spot.

On the C-515 we go on to Sequeros to visit the 18th century San Sebastian church, the 15th century Ermita de Humilladero, the Santa Maria de Robledo church and then to the outskirts to the Mirador de la Cruz from where we can enjoy a superb panoramic view of the town. Continuing on the same road, we finish our route in Ciudad Rodrigo, where one of the most impressive monuments is the extensive ancient walled enclosure. Other impressive constructions here include the Castillo en Enrique II de Trastámara, which is actually a national tourism parador, a Roman bridge and in the towns Plaza Mayor there is the Los Cueto house, the town hall building and the protogothic style cathedral.