Hervás – Jewish Quarter, Culture and Nature

The Barrio Judío de Hervás is included in the Red de Juderías de España, dates back to the 13th century and has been recognised as a historically significant ensemble. Its steep, narrow streets and traditional houses with large overhanging eaves descend from the square to the Ambroz River and the medieval Fuente Chiquita Bridge. When choosing a holiday apartment in Hervás, culture, trails, festivals and cuisine can be considered as different travel interests alongside one another.

Culture and History

The Museo Pérez Comendador-Leroux in the 18th-century Baroque Casa de los Dávila is central to the town’s history. It displays works by Enrique Pérez Comendador and Madeleine Leroux, as well as pieces by Ángel Duarte, Eugenio Hermoso and Zuloaga, in seven permanent galleries and two temporary exhibition rooms. The Centro de Interpretación „Hervás, La Historia Recobrada“ covers the history of the town from the 11th to the 20th century. Topics include the first settlements, the Jewish community, religious orders, traditional architecture and the declaration as a Conjunto Histórico Artístico in 1969.

The Centro de Interpretación del Ferrocarril is located in a renovated former railway station and presents an industrial ethnographic exhibition with audiovisual materials and information panels. The Museo de la Moto y el Coche Clásico offers a different focus, with American classic cars and classic motorcycles. The Puente de Hierro is also part of Hervás’s history as industrial ethnographic cultural heritage and a disused railway bridge.

The Ermita de San Andrés dates from the 14th century, lies 1.5 kilometres from the town centre and is associated with the Santísimo Cristo de la Salud, the patron saint of Hervás. The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, the former convent of the Discalced Trinitarians, has a high altar built between 1744 and 1746. It depicts the Holy Trinity, the crowned Virgin Mary, Saints Agnes and Catherine, the angel of the Redemption of Captives, Saint John the Baptist of the Conception, Saint Felix of Valois and Saint John of Matha. The Iglesia de Santa María de Aguas Vivas was founded in the 13th century as a defensive structure; its bell tower contains remains of the tower of the former castle.

Trails and Festivals

The Camino Natural Vía Verde de la Plata follows the former Astorga–Plasencia railway line and passes through Hervás. The „Callejero Turístico“ suggests six walks that can be completed independently: they lead through historic parts of the town, include extensions of medium duration and reach scenic areas in the surrounding countryside. Hervás also has more than 200 kilometres of marked trails and shorter peripheral routes of ecological and scenic interest, which can be used on foot and by mountain bike. Different route lengths and types of activity can therefore be compared when planning your day.

The Oficina de Turismo de Hervás provides information about sightseeing and leisure opportunities in the surrounding area and advises on selecting suitable routes and activities for your stay. Los Conversos has been held continuously since 1997 as a street culture festival dedicated to the Jewish-Christian history of Hervás through theatre, music and gastronomy. Over a long weekend, the Barrio Judío also hosts a market, concerts, talks, historical events, exhibitions, tastings, gastronomic demonstrations, guided tours and other activities. Since 2006, the central theatrical performance of Los Conversos has been staged at the Fuente Chiquita in the Barrio Judío of Hervás.

The Feast of Saint Anthony takes place on 17 January at the saint’s chapel. The festival includes a short procession, the blessing of pets and a picnic with the traditional Bollo de tortilla, chorizo and other regional dishes in the grounds of the hermitage. During the procession for the Feast of the Holy Cross, the Cristo de la Victoria is accompanied from the Santa María church to the Ermita de San Andrés for a Mass; a shared lunch is then held in the chapel grounds.

Other destinations: Cadalso, Santiago De Alcántara, Miajadas, Acebo, Baños De Montemayor, Valdelacasa de Tajo, Berzocana, Membrío

Nature and Cuisine

The birdwatching route „Ruta 2-2 Birding in Extremadura: Valle del Ambroz“ begins in Hervás and includes a walk through the Castañar Gallego to observe woodland birds. On the route through the Valle del Ambroz that begins in Hervás, birds including griffon vultures, peregrine falcons and golden eagles can be observed in rocky habitats. The Castañar Gallego in Hervás is designated as a protected landscape.

Traditional Hervás cuisine includes Cazuela, Patatas escabechadas, Zorongollo, Cochinillo cuchifrito and Caldereta de cabrito. It is complemented by the young wine of the year known as „Pitarra“. During a walk through the Barrio Judío, visitors can enjoy a tasting of Pitarra wines. The Iglesia de Santa María de Aguas Vivas offers an excellent viewpoint overlooking Hervás and the Valle de Ambroz.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cáceres.