Visit Guadalupe
Guadalupe is in the province of Caceres in the Extremadura region of Spain.
Guadalupe village has grown up around the fabulous Monastery of Guadalupe which is one of Spain's most popular tourist attractions. In 1325 a farmer found a statue of the Virgin Mary buried in his field. The statue was rumoured to have been carved by St Luke and visitors came flocking from far and wide to see it and a shrine was built to house it.
The monastery grew in splendour and has towers and turrets and is a beautiful building. The Monastery of Guadalupe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore Guadalupe
The original church became a Royal monastery after King Alfonso XI visited it several times. He invoked Saint Maria de Guadalupe to help him in the Battle of Rio Salado. When he won he ascribed his victory to Saint Maria and declared the church to be a Royal sanctuary and carried out extensive building work.
The monastery continued to have royal patronage and it was to this monastery that Christopher Colombus made his first pilgrimage after discovering America in 1492.
The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria of Guadalupe looks fabulous on the outside but is equally lovely inside. It has a three storey gothic cloister as well as a large Mudejar cloister with horseshoe-shaped arches. In the centre of the Mudejar cloister is a temple-shaped fountain house in the centre.
Tours of the Monastery begin with the museums containing illuminated manuscripts and works of art. The Baroque sacristy is the most splendid in the Monastery. It has eight paintings of monks by Zurbaran hanging on the walls.
The Monastery church is entered through large bronze doors carved with Bible scenes. The statue of the Virgin Mary and her baby are in a tiny room above the altar. The Virgin is dressed in jewelled robes and is one of the few black virgins to be carved.
The village of Guadalupe is also attractive with many buildings built in the Gothic style. The town square, the Plaza de Santa Maria, is an attractive lively square. Notice the fountain in the square. This fountain was used to baptise the first native americans brought by Colombus from his second visit to America.
On the other side of the main square to the Monastery is the former hospital of Saint John the Baptist, a 14-15th century building which is now a Parador, the Parador de Guadalupe. It is a beautiful white-washed building with many arches.
Nearby is the Hospedaria del Real Monasterio where you can go for a drink. Its bar is in a Gothic cloister with a garden. Excellent!
Guadalupe village is a Historic-Artistic Site because of its history and architecture.
Places to visit near Guadalupe
Travel along the road to Navalmoral until you get to the Ermita del Humilladero (about 5km). You can get some excellent views of Guadalupe from here.
Visit Trujillo to the east of Guadalupe. This small medieval town is the most attractive in Extremadura, especially on a night when its square is floodlit.
Nearby Plasencia has a lovely arcaded square and medieval walls. Caceres is one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and well worth a visit.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Caceres guide and the Extremadura guide.
Map of Guadalupe and places to visit
Guadalupe places to visit
Plasencia
Plasencia has an attractive old centre with an arcaded main square. It is surrounded by medieval walls.
Plasencia guide
La Alberca
La-Alberca is a mountain village and is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It has lovely half timber buildings with wooden balconies.
La Alberca guide
Trujillo
Trujillo is considered to have one of the most beautiful main square in the whole of Spain!
Trujillo guide
Caceres
Caceres is a beautiful town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a colony of storks.
Caceres guide
Ciudad Rodrigo
Ciudad Rodrigo has a beautiful old town with a 14th century castle, now a parador and an attractive cathedral.
Ciudad Rodrigo guide
Alcantara
Alcantara has an impressive Roman bridge and the convent of San Benito has a lovely Gothic cloister.
Alcantara guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Extremadura