CUACOS de YUSTE, The Emperor's Villa

The town of Cuacos de Yuste became independent from the Lordship of Plasencia in 1813, and the rich natural environment surrounding the town is one of its strong points. This is why Emperor Charles I of Spain and V of Germany chose the Monastery of Yuste as his place to relax. Cuacos de Yuste has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, and walking through its cobbled streets, we come across charming corners such as the House of Jeromín, located in the Plaza de D. Juan de Austria, who was the emperor's brother and hero of the Lepanto War, or the 15th-century Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Heading towards the Monastery, we can visit the German Cemetery, and on the other side, on a hill, the hermitage of Our Lady of Solitude, the town's patron saint. Nature has been generous; due to its location, it has a warm microclimate in winter and cool in summer, which is why it is considered the greenest in Extremadura. This is aided by the 47 gorges, whose waters come from mountain springs and melted snow, many of which are suitable for swimming in their natural pools. La Vera is also a bird sanctuary, has museums, visitor centers, festivals of cultural interest, the Monumental City of Plasencia, Monfragüe National Park, and not to mention the cherry blossoms... and much more.