Guadalupe and Its Impressive Monastery

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How to get there:

• The fast route (about 3 hours): From Madrid, take the A5 highway (the Carretera de Extremadura). Then, take the EX-118 exit and continue along this motorway.

• The scenic route (about 4 ½ hours): From Madrid, take the A5 highway. Then, take exit 58, Santa Cruz de Retamar. Get to your destination through the rugged but beautiful landscape over the following motorways: CM-4009, CM-401, CM-4171, and again the CM-401.

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From far you already notice that the village is dominated by the impressive and almost romantically looking Santa Maria de Guadalupe monastery. The original monastery was founded in the 14th century and became a very important center of pilgrimage during the time that Columbus discovered the New World.

These days, the monastery is managed by a Franciscan order and is a Catholic pilgrimage center. When you take a tour of the monastery (highly recommended because of the sacristy with Zubaran’s paintings), you might notice that several visitors appear to have a religious experience when they enter the shrine that holds the Virgin of Guadalupe, a black Madonna statue.

Make sure you wander some of the narrow streets to the higher parts of the village, from where you have a lovely view of the village and the valley (pictured on the left). The picture on the right shows details of two of the many towers of the monastery.

Where to stay and dine
We have enjoyed the Parador de Guadalupe very much, both for overnight and dinner. The hotel, once a historic hospital, is right next to the monastery in the center of town. It is not overly luxurious but has a great atmosphere and a very pleasant large garden that many of the rooms look onto. For dinner, we had an excellent caldereta cordero, lamb stew with lots of garlic, and salteado venado, a tasty venison casserole, accompanied by a hearty bottle of Marcelino Diaz Puerta Palma Tinto from the Ribera del Guadiana.

Alternate accommodation is the Hospederia del Real Monasterio, a comfortable hotel that is run by the Franciscan monks in a part of the monastery.

Next stop on your itinerary: Jarandilla de la Vera

Return from Guadalupe to the Extremadura home page

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