Ml 



ESTRKMA. 



KSTRKMADURA. 



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range separate* the waters wliicb flow northward into the Tagns fruui 

 thane which flow southward into the Quadiana. The eaitern part, 

 called the Sierra de Guadalupe, ha* an elevation of from 5000 to 

 0000 feet above the sea; the central part, called the Sierra de 

 Benito, and the western, called the Sierra de San Pedro, are much 

 lower. The Sierra Morena enters Estremadura from AmUlusi.i, and 

 fill* up the whole of the southern part of the province with an 

 irregular mass of hilly ground. The space between this portion of 

 the Sierra Morena and the central mountain range is occupied by the 

 basin of the Onodiaoa, which extends from east to west through the 

 province of Badojos, or southern division. The northern division, 

 that of Caceres, is chiefly occupied by the valley of the Tagus, which 

 has also a direction from east to west, and is closed in on the north by 

 the Sierra de Gata, which enters PortnRaJ, and the Sierra de Credos, 

 which extends in a south-western direction between the rivers Alagon 

 and Tietar. Both of these mountain ridges have a direction from 

 north-east to south-west, and inclose between them the valleys of the 

 Alamo and other affluents of the Tagus. 



The geological formation of all the mountain ranges of Eiitremadura 

 consists of clay-elate alternating with quartzite, and pierced by masses 

 of granite. The slates are generally of blue and black clay, and the 

 beds are in general highly inclined, some being almost vertical. The 

 Estremadura slate-formation extends through the Sierra Morena to 

 the Guadalquivir. The quartzite occurs in beds which are inter- 

 calated with the slate-beds, and is of a fine texture. Besides the 

 granite cither igneous rocks are protruded, forming considerable masses 

 in themselves, but small in comparison with the extent of country 

 covered by the slates. A deposit of phosphorite of lime, a rare 

 mineral, and valuable for agricultural purposes, occurs in the clay- 

 slate between the towns of Quadalupe and Logrosau. It sometimes 

 emerges from the surface, and is sometimes below it, in a bed which 

 is in some parts 1 feet deep, and from 6 to 7 feet wide. Le:id, silver, 

 iron, and copper, occur more or less in all the mountain ranges, and 

 are wrought in some places, but with little advantage. 



Riven. The two great rivers which flow across Estremadum are 

 described separately. [GUADIANA ; TAOUB.] The other rivers of this 

 province all enter the two great rivers. The Alagon rises in the 

 Sierra de Gala, and flowing southward receives the Jerte from the 

 Sierra de Gredos ; it then flows south-westward, and having received 

 the Arago united with the Gate, enters the Tagus on the north bonk 

 bout 10 miles above Alcantara, after a course of about 70 miles. 

 The Tietor rises in the Sierra de Gredos, and flowing south-westward 

 enters the Tagus, after a course of about 60 miles. The principal 

 rivers which enter the Tagus on the south bank are the Rio del Monte 

 and the Salor, the former having its origin in the Sierra de Guada- 

 Inpe, and the latter in the Sierra de Uenito. The rivers which enter 

 the Quadiana on the north bank are all short, and flow from the 

 central ridge, the spurs of which in many parts flank the river. The 

 rivers which flow into the Quadiana on the south bank above Badajoz 

 and the west bank below it, are numerous, and of considerable length, 

 but of small size ; they all flow from the northern slopes of the Sierra 

 Morena. 



Climalt and Production*. The climate in Rummer is very hot, but 

 is not unwholesome, except on the banks of the Guadiana, which in 

 several parts are uncleared and swampy, and infested with mosquitoes 

 and other insects. In winter the climate is much milder than it is 

 on the high plains of the Castiles and Leon, in consequence of which 

 on the approach of cold weather, the flocks of merino sheep, to the 

 number of more than three millions, begin to travel from their 

 summer-pastures, attended by their shepherds and dogs, and gradually 

 take up their usual winter-quarters in Estremadura. These migratory 

 flocks of sheep are called Los Trashumontes, and the system itself is 

 tamed the siesta. 



Estremadura is naturally the most fertile province of Spain, and is 

 capable of producing very large quantities of the finest wheat and 

 other kinds of grain ; but vast districts arc appropriated as sheep- 

 pastures, and others equally or more extensive are abandoned as mere 

 wastes _ overgrown with various species of cistus (jarales) and other 

 aromatic shrubs. Everywhere except on the tops of the mountains 

 the exuberant vigour of the soil is apparent Under the Romans 

 and Moon it was carefully cultivated, and still in many parts, and 

 under very imperfect management, produces large quantities of wheat, 

 rye, barley, maize, flax, garbanzos (the common pulse of Spain), wine, 

 and olive-oil. 



The swine of Estrcnuvlura are of great importance to the inhabit- 

 ants, not only as supplying food for themselves, but on account of 

 the pork, bacon, and hams, which are sent to the other provinces of 

 Spain. Extensive district* are covered with woods of oak, beech, and 

 chestnuts, the acorns and mast of which afford abundance of provision 

 for the swine. Cork-trees are also numerous, and cork is exported. 

 Olive-trees and fruit-trees flourish in perfection. Game, both quad- 

 rupeds and birds, is abundant ; and there is plenty of fish in the 

 streams and rivers. Honey and wax are collected from the nests of 

 the wild bees. The manufactures are few, consisting chiefly of leather, 

 hate, and coarse cloths. 



TWiu. JSadajot is the capital of Estremadura and of the province 

 of Badajoz. [BADAJOZ.] The other towns of the province of Radnjoz, 

 areas follows: ,1 tbi>tfrijut, 22 miles N. from Undnjox, is a small 



town, with a fortified castle, and a population of 5470. Jrret (Sera) 

 lit lot CabaUerot, 42 miles S. from Badajoz, is a walled town, and has 

 some manufactures of leather, hats, coarse cloth, and soap. The 

 population in 1S45 was 5628. JJerena, 63 miles 8. E. from Badajoz, 

 standing at the Sierra Morena, is an agricultural town, ill-built, :: 

 a state of decay. It has two churches and an hospital, ami had in 1845 

 a population of 6022. Mettellitt, 50 miles K. from Badajoz, stands on 

 the south bank of the Quadiana, and has a huge but mined castle : 

 population, 2000. Cortes was born here in 14 85. Mr rid a, 32 miles 

 K. from Badajoz, (tends on the right or northern bank of the Guadiana. 

 It is the Kmerita Auytuta of the Romans. The Guodiaua is hero 

 crossed by a fine Roman bridge of 81 arches, and 2575 feet in length. 

 Close to the bridge is an old castle of considerable strength. The 

 town contains a large convent, two churches, and a prixon, and a great 

 number of Roman remains, including an amphitheatre, an aqueduct, 

 a circus, baths, and a triumphal arch. It was taken by the M<> 

 713, and wa finally annexed to the kingdom of Castillo in I . -J 

 population in 1845 was 4112. Olivciua, 16 miles S.S.W. from 

 Badajoz, stands on the eastern bank of the Uuadiana, in af.-rii!. 

 and has a good trade in wine, corn, and oil. The populut 

 was 7587. Zafra, 40 miles S.S.E. from Badajoz, is a very .v 

 town. It was the Julia Rettituta of the Romans. It is full of 

 remains of grand buildings, such as the palace of the Duke of I 

 the convents of Santa Marina and Santa Clara, which were de 

 and plundered by the French, and other structures, some of which 

 were never completed : population, 4890. 



Cacera, 53 miles N.E. from Badajoz, is the capital of the pr 

 of (Joceres. It was the Cattra Ccecilia of the Romans. It stand-* hi 

 district where large quantities of swine are reared, and is the pi im-ip.i! 

 place in Estremadura for the trade in bacon and hams, which are said 

 to be excellent. The town stands in an elevated situation, and i 

 clean by streams which also serve to irrigate the gardens, whence 

 is a plentiful supply of fruit and vegetables. It contains four parish 

 churches, a fine suppressed Jesuit convent, an hospital, and some remains 

 of sculpture in the plaza: population, 9520. Alcantara (in Arabic 

 Al Kantarah, ' the Bridge '), 60 miles N. from Badajoz, stands on the 

 south bank of the Tagus, just below the junction of the Alagon. It 

 was the Norba Ctttarea of the Romans, and is now chiefly dUtiir. 

 for the magnificent bridge which they here constructed across the 

 Tagus, and which, after the lapse of seventeen centuries, is still a solid 

 and substantial structure. It was built j>y order of the emperor 

 Trajan, in A.D. 105. The river is here flanked by lofty rocks, ami the 

 bridge is 245 feet above the usual level of the stream, which when 

 low is about 40 feet deep, but when flooded rises to a height of about 

 180 feet The bridge is of granite, without cement, and rests on six 

 arches : it is 600 feet long, and 28 feet wide. One arch was destroyed 

 by the English in 1809, but was repaired by them with timber in 

 1812. It was burnt by the Spanish national troops in 1836, and still 

 remains unrestored with stone. The town stands on an eminence 

 overlooking the bridge. It was plundered by the French und< 

 Qeneral Lapisse in 1809, and roofless houses and churches il> , 

 of their ornaments still attest the state to which the invaders reduced 

 it. The granite-built convent of San Bcuito is almost a ruin. Th 

 church is lofty, the slender pillars of the interior are elegant, and the 

 high altar has some injured pictures by Morales. The town formerly 

 belonged to a military order of monks, the Knights of 

 originally founded in 1156. In 1494 the king was appointed M 

 their wealth was absorbed by the state, and the independence and 

 importance of the order were at an end. The population of tin 

 in 1845 was 4273. Almaraz, 85 miles N.E. from l!a laj ../, stands near 

 the north bank of the Tagus, over which there is hero a stone ! 

 of two arches, 580 feet long, 25 feet wide, and 134 feet high, across a 

 picturesque gorge. General Hill fought here a brilliant acti 

 consequence of which he was made a peer with the title of I 

 Hill of Almaraz. The place is a poor village, with a populnt 

 only 493, though it occupies a fine position whence four roads d. 

 in opposite directions. Curio, 75 miles N. by E. from Badaj 

 decayed town, with a population of less than 2000. It stands on 1 1. 

 northern bank of the Alagon, which has here changed its < 

 leaving the bridge dry : the river is crossed by a ferry. The tov 

 the Caurium of the Unmans ; and the walls, of granite, without mortar, 

 19 feet thick, and of an average height of 30 feet, still remain. '!'!, 

 walls ore defended by towers ; the gates have been ui Thciv 



is an old gothic cathedral, the interior of which is without aisles, and 

 resembles a large college-hall. It contains some interesting sculj 

 The town was sacked by the French in 1809, and was the winter- 

 qu.-irtnra of Lord Hill in 1812. flacewia, or Platmcia, 105 mik-.< 

 N.N.K. from Badajoz, is encircled on the south by the river Jerte, 

 which is hero crossed by three bridges. The town is inclosed by old 

 walU with semicircular towers, and is also defended by a castle, now 

 in a ruinous state. It is the sec of a bishop, suffragan to the 

 bishop of Santiago, and contains a handsome but unfinished cathe- 

 dral, a bishop's palace, several churches, and three or four large 

 conventual buildings. The town wa< plundered by tli 

 1809, but still possesses many fine pictures as well as sepulchral 

 monuments and other works of art. It is snppli. d with water l>y .1 

 long aqueduct resting on 80 arches. It has manufactures of 1> 

 hats, and woollen, linen, and hempen stuffs. The p,iT,nliition in \^\j 



