San Martín De Trevejo: A Fala, Old Town and Nature

San Martín de Trevejo combines a historic townscape with cultural features and routes through the landscape of the Sierra de Gata. This gives you different areas to focus on when planning your trip: the town’s language and architectural history, its notable buildings, or routes through woodland and river landscapes.

A Fala and the historic townscape

San Martín de Trevejo is one of three places in the Xálima Valley where A Fala is spoken. The other two are Eljas and Valverde del Fresno. In 2001, the Junta de Extremadura declared the language a Bien de Interés Cultural. The town’s decorated stelae are also part of the region’s history: they are among the earliest evidence of human presence in the Sierra de Gata.

The town ensemble is recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Conjunto Histórico category. Its well-preserved architecture was the deciding factor in the designation. The traditional architectural style includes houses with at least two storeys. Livestock was kept on the usually stone-built ground floor or in the cellar; the upper storeys rest on a framework of wood and clay. Stone benches and manor houses bearing coats of arms are also common. Since 2019, San Martín de Trevejo has also been a member of the Asociación Los pueblos más bonitos de España.

Church, Plaza Mayor and architectural history

The parish church of San Martín de Tours stands in the town center. It has three naves and preserves three paintings by Luis de Morales, a painter from Badajoz who was also known as El Divino. The paintings date from the 16th century. Other striking architectural features come together at the Plaza Mayor: the bell tower bears an imperial coat of arms, while arcades line the square and a fountain, or pilón, occupies its center.

The history of the Convento de San Miguel is also linked to a tradition: according to the account, the monastery was founded on the recommendation of Saint Francis of Assisi. In 1454, Pope Nicholas II approved the construction of the convent that stands today. The 12th-century complex of a former olive mill and an adjoining wine press housed the former Museo del Aceite y del Vino. This museum is currently closed; check whether access has resumed before traveling there.

Trails, chestnut trees and river landscapes

Different natural features make their own mark on the surrounding area. Castaños del Cobijo, also known as Castaños de los Ojestos, is included in Extremadura’s network of protected natural areas as an Árbol Singular. At 1.30 meters above the ground, the larger of the two notable chestnut trees has a trunk circumference of 6.90 meters; its crown is more than 17 meters wide.

The SL-CC 208 hiking trail follows the Río de la Vega and passes through a riparian forest with protected understory plants. The route described also includes oak woodland, traditional hay meadows and small gardens tended by local residents. The signposted A-Fala Route passes through San Martín de Trevejo, Eljas and Valverde del Fresno. It runs through extensive oak forests and alongside centuries-old chestnut trees and a cobbled path. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Another option is the 16.32-kilometer-long, historic Camino de Trevejo a Jálama, which is entirely public. It connects the hamlet of Trevejo with Villamiel and San Martín de Trevejo, then continues to the summit of Jálama. Almost its entire length passes through Natura 2000 sites, including the ZEPA “Sierra de Gata y Valle de las Pilas” and the ZEC “Sierra de Gata.” You can distinguish this route by its length and described course from the trails for which no distance is given here.

Local dishes

Dishes served in the town include ensalada de naranja, almodu de pibitas y berzas, esparragau and bizcochos mañegos. Their names offer another cultural point of reference for planning your trip, alongside A Fala and the historic townscape.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Berzocana, Cuacos De Yuste, La Granja, Segura De Toro, Carcaboso, Piornal, Robledillo De Gata, Puerto De Santa Cruz

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