Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent and Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalup

Scenic road chapters

Waypoint introductions and full write-ups

1. 1. Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent

   Under a modern roof on the edge of the old town, the story of Saint Eulalia continues underground. The basilica built over her grave was the focus of one of the most important cults in Roman Hispania, and the excavations here show how the place grew over time: first a cemetery outside the walls, then a martyr's shrine in the fourth century, then a large church with additions, burials and a baptistery. The interpretation centre lets you walk around these layers on raised walkways, looking down at stone coffins, brick walls and mosaics, with panels that explain the stages. It is the sort of display where you have to slow down to work out what you are seeing.

   Read the complete Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent is where the day begins. Next is Old Town of Cáceres.

2. 2. Old Town of Cáceres

   Cáceres has an old town so complete that film crews treat it as a ready-made set, and walking its streets at dusk, when the stone glows amber and the crowds have gone, you can see why. Inside the walls, built largely by the Almohads in the twelfth century, are dozens of fortified mansions, towers, churches and palaces, many built by noble families who made their fortunes in the conquest of the Americas. The towers once had battlements, but Queen Isabella ordered most of them cut down to curb the nobles' power. UNESCO listed the old town in 1986.

   Read the complete Old Town of Cáceres write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Old Town of Cáceres comes up about 75 km into the recorded legs. Next is Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalup.

3. 3. Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalup

   Planning note

   about 212 km into the recorded legs you reach Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalup. Next is back through Old Town of Cáceres.

4. 4. back through Old Town of Cáceres

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Old Town of Cáceres write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   back through Old Town of Cáceres, late in the day. Next is Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent, 102 km on.

5. 5. Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent

   Return visit. Read the place description above.

   Read the complete Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent write-up.

   Recorded stop-planning note

   May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.

   Planning note

   Back at Sta. Eulalia Basilica: Interpretation Cent. That is the ride.