Malpartida de Plasencia is a perfect rural tourism destination in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura. Its beautiful landscapes and the large number of cultural elements that await in the town streets will make any holiday here a unique experience.
It is located at an altitude of over 450 metres above sea level in the Monfragüe region, just 8 kilometres from Plasencia. It's the ideal place to enjoy nature, including a Biosphere Reserve.
As for the history of the town, it's not clear exactly when it was founded, but the first reference to the town comes from 1494, when it had just over 100 inhabitants. Today it is home to more than 4,000 chinatos, as the inhabitants are known.
What to see in Malpartida de Plasencia? There is a large number of religious buildings of great importance in the town.
The most important is the church of San Juan Bautista which boasts references to both Gothic and Renaissance styles. It dates from the 16th century and since 2018 it has been an Asset of Cultural Interest. It is one of the best examples of Extremaduran architecture and features on many of the postcards that are sold here.
Other places you must visit are the hermitages of San Blas, San Gregorio and San Cristóbal. Special mention has to be made of the hermitage of the Virgen de la Luz, who is the patron saint of the village. The annual fiestas are dedicated to her in the month of April, when pilgrimages are held in the Arroyo de la Luz area and a high mass is celebrated.
Other important festivals in Malpartida de Plasencia are those of San Blas, which are celebrated in February with processions on the big day, and the Carnival. This is the liveliest time of year to visit the town, when the streets are lined with floats, and music and colour fill the air.
In addition, some remains have been found dating back to prehistoric times, such as the Torreón de Calamoco and traces of Roman settlements.
The economy in this area has always been linked to livestock farming as it is located at a crossroads of cattle routes. Over the years, it has become famous for masonry and leather craftsmanship.
Another thing that this town is known for is gastronomy, particularly typical sweets and desserts. We encourage you to go on a tasting tour, trying characteristic dishes such as calderetas de cabrito (goat stew) or migas (breadcrumbs). Famous sweets include perrunillas, orejones (dried apricots) and rizos, among others.
This town deserves to be experienced on its own time, so the best thing to do is to rent accommodation in the area and stay for several days. In Malpartida you'll find rural hotels, airbnb-style flats and charming holiday cottages where you can recharge your batteries.
