In the middle of the Dehesa de Valcorchero, about 5 kms. from the city, you will find this place of great beauty, from where you can enjoy magnificent views of Plasencia and the surrounding area. This sanctuary is where the patron saint of Plasencia, the Virgen del Puerto, is venerated. Its construction began in the 15th century, but the current building dates from the 18th century.

The main façade is crowned with a pediment with an oculus on its axis, safeguarded by the coats of arms of Plasencia and that of the first Marquises of Mirabel. The interior is beautifully decorated with reliefs and skirting boards from Talavera. The main altar of the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Puerto has a curved altarpiece at both ends, with three columns on each side, and is classical and gilded in style. It is all designed to house the image of the Virgen del Puerto in the centre of the altarpiece. The carving of the Virgen del Puerto is made of polychrome wood of the so-called “galactotrofusas” or Virgins of the Milk, as she is breastfeeding the child.

Built in the 13th century in the Romanesque style in transition to Gothic, the most outstanding features of the exterior are the Romanesque doorway, its oldest part, with a niche representing the Annunciation of the Virgin and an alabaster rose window in the Gothic style. Inside we can enjoy its beautiful Cistercian-inspired cloister, sculptures of great value, and the treasures housed in its Cathedral Museum. Above the Chapel of San Pablo, the former Chapter House of the Cathedral, stands the popular “Torre del Melón” (Melon Tower), which can be seen from the terrace of the Enlosado.

Begun in 1498, the north doorway of the New Cathedral was designed by Juan de Álava y Gil de Hontañón (16th century), an architectural marvel in the late Gothic style. Materials from the Old Cathedral were reused for its construction, and its unfinished appearance is due to the lack of funding for its completion. Its interior houses numerous pieces of artistic interest dating from the late 15th to the 18th century, such as the main altarpiece with sculptures by Gregorio Fernández and paintings by Francisco Ricci, the sacristy doorway, the choir stalls by Rodrigo Alemán with their majestic grille, and the Churrigueresque altarpieces of the Assumption and San Agustín.

Carvajal Girón Palace

After the expulsion from La Mota, the synagogue was moved to the Plaza de Ansano and Calle Santa Isabel, where the Palacio de Carvajal Girón stands today. A synagogue that would only function for 20 years, until the definitive expulsion of the Jews in 1492.
As was the case with the La Mota Jewish quarter, the new synagogue suffered the persecution imposed by the Christians in the Law of the Cortes of 1480. This situation continued until the expulsion of the Jews in 1492.
The Plaza de Ansano, Calle de Santa Isabel, the convent of Santa Clara and Calle Trujillo were the limits of the new space set aside for the Jewish quarter.
The new synagogue was located between houses 12-14 Trujillo Street and Ansano Square. It was accessible from both streets, in fact it is assumed that the reason it had two doors was so that men could enter through one (the one in the Plaza de Ansano) and women through the other (Calle Trujillo).

When the Jewish people of Plasencia were expelled or converted, this new synagogue was ceded to the Cabildo by the Catholic Queen. The aim was to build a place for worship in its place, and so the church of Santa Isabel was born.
When the church was burnt down in 1542 during the Communist War, the site was used by one of the most influential families, the Carvajal Girón family, to build their palace.

Today, the Carvajal Giron Palace has been renovated, preserving not only its original structure, but also numerous traces of the passage of history that have been experienced inside. You can visit, enter the interior and even stay in this fantastic place.

Tourist Office

At the Tourist Office you can find all the information to make your visit to Plasencia as complete as possible.

Through the office you can access the Santa Clara Convent.