Zafra, Extremadura, Day #2

The journey itself was an adventure, we didn't hesitate to turn the car on the view of something interesting or to stop anywhere an unexpected angle caught our eyes.

Zafra is one of the prettiest towns in southern Extremadura, as well as being extremely accessible due to its position, located on the 'ruta de la plata' or tin route. It could well be the oldest road in Europe. This was the route taken by tin traders from England right through to Huelva and Cadiz.

Known as Sevilla la Chica (the Little Seville) thanks to architectural similarities, especially its courtyards, white houses and alleyways overhung with carnations, the town has cobbled streets and two main squares (grande and chica), worth visiting a whole day long.

The Alcázar de los Duques de Feria, the 15th century castle in Zafra, once a Moorish fortress, it now houses the Parador Nacional, one of the most beautiful and best hotels in Zafra.

 

The plan was to enter and have a coffee, but instead, we walked through the bar and entered the backyard terrace and pool and stole a moment of quiet and relaxation on the edge of the pool. Couldn't help to try the water, I thought it would be fun to be caught doing such a crazy thing!

There are lots of wonderful places and things to see in Zafra. There are a few large parks in which to sit and enjoy the sun, we parked the car just across one of them and took lots of pictures around.

In Santa Clara's Convent we assisted to a wedding where the choir was a kind of mariachi playing guitars and some beautiful Spanish music!  It didn't seem very religious to me, it appeared to be more like kind of Spanish party music!

I sat down and assisted to the wedding while Bogdan was discreetly taking pictures around. 

We just walked on the streets, trying to see all those beautiful places, to fill up our memory, sight and thoughts with the colors, silence and peace we found all around.

Here we noticed again the stork nests on the church, it looks like a local tradition, we found them everywhere!

Then, we stopped for a while and had a coffee in Plaza Grande, with its gorgeous arches... I have only one thing bothering me: there were lots of cars parked in that square, I wouldn't allow them in such a beautiful and old place!

After a lunch full of savor, because, I have to say, we are addicted to tapas, we hardly found our way to the next destination. But it was worth all the effort, you'll see!