CUADERNO DE VIAJE by erasmus plus

Opening

Desire Paths in Extremadura

“Human History Communication and Reflection”

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A desire path (often referred to as desire line in transportation planning, and also known as a game trail, social trail, herd path, cow path, goat track, pig trail, use trail or bootleg trail) is a path created as a consequence of erosion caused by human or animal traffic. The path usually represents the shortest or most easily navigated route between an origin and a destination. Desire paths emerge as shortcuts where constructed ways take a circuitous route, have gaps, or are non-existent. Land owners have devised a variety of techniques to block the creation of desire paths including fences, dense vegetation, or signage. Landscapers sometimes accommodate desire paths by paving them and integrating them into the official path network rather than blocking them. In some cases, land planners have deliberately left land fully or partially unpathed, waiting to see what desire paths are created, and then paving those. In Finland, planners are known to visit their parks immediately after the first snowfall, when the existing paths are not visible. People naturally choose desire paths, clearly marked by their footprints, which can be then used to guide the routing of new purpose-built paths. The image of a user-created path, in seeming defiance of authority, across the earth between the official paths, has captured the imagination of many as a metaphor for, variously, anarchism, intuitive design, individual creativity, or the wisdom of crowds. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_path)

LOGOTIPOS DEL PROYECTO:

Julia Rivero SĂĄnchezâ&#x20AC;&#x192;â&#x20AC;&#x192;

Leo von Caprivi Montero

Monfragüe

National Park Plasencia

Monfragüe Trujillo Cáceres

Mérida

INTRODUCTION: Monfragüe National Park is one of the natural wonders of Extremadura. It was the first protected area of Extremadura Community and since 1991 it has also been a Special Protection Area for Birds, due to the large number of raptors that inhabit it. It has been a Biosphere Reserve since July 2003. 3

Monfragüe National Park �� ROQUEDO “SALTO DEL GITANO” O PEÑAFALCÓN: Peña Falcón is a quartzite mass that falls to the Tajo River. “Roquedos” are environments in which the soil is very scarce and poor, which greatly hinders the establishment of vegetation. However, due mainly to the inaccessibility typical of this type of ecosystem, they are in a good state of conservation.

The mountain ridges of Monfragüe are fundamentally quartzites, the result of orogenic folding. There are also some slate outcrops. A very representative formation of Monfragüe are the famous “portillas”. These are quartzitic outcrops of large dimensions that rivers and streams take advantage of to cross the mountains. The “portillas” are well known because many threatened species make their nests in them.

CAVE PAINTING:

ROCK FAUNA: The birds are in the ideal place to nest, because they enjoy the security offered by the inaccessibility of the rock. Breeding birds for which the park is important are black stork (Ciconia nigra) and the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus).

Cave painting of the Monfragüe Castle.

EXERCISES:

What type of folding originated 1

4 Where can we see some of the best

Peñafalcón?

preserved representations of cave paintings?

a) Inclined folding b) Isoclinales folding c) Orogenic folding

a) El Castillo de Monfragüe b) The Dehesa c) The Umbría

2 What type of rock makes up the

5 What bird CANNOT be observed in

Roquedo?

the Roquedo?

a) Quartzite b) Marble c) Corneanas

a) Black Stork b) Royal Owl c) Treecreeper

3 What gives color to the “Salto del Gitano”?

a) Ferns b) Lichens c) Andreaeobryum

DEHESA Dehesa: (pasture) forest formed by oaks, cork oaks and other species, where almost the entire forest has been intervened by humans. It has different uses.

1 The trees in the dehesa are distributed...

5 From which animal is Iberian ham obtained?

a) Naturally b) Artificially

a) Cows b) Pigs c) Sheep

2 The cork is extracted from ... a) Pine trees b) Olive trees c) Cork oaks

6 Which of these plants is not typical from the dehesa? a) Oak b) Cork oak c) Palm tree

3 Which of these things is the dehesa NOT used for?

a) Hunting b) Obtaining charcoal, picón and firewood c) Cultivation of cotton

4 Which of these species is NOT usually raised in the dehesa? a) Chickens b) Goats c) Sheep

Monfragüe National Park �� N ame the following plants and animals, which are typical from the dehesa and Monfragüe park:

MONFRAGÜE ACEBUCHE ALCORNOQUE ARBUSTO BREZO CANTUESO DURILLO ENCINA OLIVILLA QUEJIGO RUSCO SOLANA UMBRÍA ÁRBOL

JARA

Plasencia

Plasencia Trujillo CĂĄceres

MĂŠrida

Plasencia ��

SOME HISTORY Although this region had been occupied by other cultures in earlier times, Plasencia was founded in 1186 by Alfonso VIII of Castile, as part of the “Reconquista” process. But ten years after its birth, in 1196, Plasencia was taken over by the Almohad Caliphate. King Alfondo VIII and his troops managed to recapture the city one year later.

Plasencia has always been a commercial town with agricultural, commercial and livestock trading. There are important markets dates, such as “Martes Mayor”, celebrated at the beginning of August, as well as the June Fair. When Extremadura was divided into two different provinces, Cáceres and Badajoz, Plasencia argued with Cáceres about which of them should be the capital of the province, claiming that it had a higher population, it was more affluent and it had the bishop’s palace. Despite these advantages, other traits were considered more important and Cáceres was chosen as the capital of the province.

In 1189, by request of Alfonso VIII, Plasencia was declared head of dioceses and works on a Romanesque cathedral started shortly after, concluding sometime in the 18th century, by which time fashion had changed and Gothic elements had been added. Alfonso VIII also ordered the Walls of the town to be completed.

After some periods of crisis, the 20th century was extraordinary for Plasencia and its development. The number of inhabitants has tripled in the last 60 years, and during this period many public buildings have been constructed, including the Virgen del Puerto hospital, the reservoir of Plasencia, the Municipal Sport Centre and many useful roads. One of the four campuses of the University of Extremadura is located in Plasencia. This campus offers the Degree in Forestry Engineering, Nursing, Podiatry and Administration and Business Management.

In the XV century King John II of Castile gifted the city to the House of Zúñiga and its right to vote in the Cortes of Castile was lost. In 1446, the first university in Extremadura was installed in Plasencia, according to the wish of the Bishop. As a result, everyone from the surrounding areas who could afford to study at university moved to Plasencia.

To know more about Plasencia Circle the correct option: Plasencia is a city located in the 1 of Cáceres.

a. North b. South c. West We call the inhabitants of Plasencia 2 “Placentinos”. a. True b. False The Old Cathedral is next to the New 3 Cathedral.

a. True b. False The town hall is located in the main 4 square.

a. Tru b. False A typical dish in Plasencia is 5 a. Migas extremeñas b. Tortilla francesa c. Ensaladilla rusa

If you’re looking at the town hall, in 9 the clock tower you can see a. “Abuelo Mayorga” b. A frog c. An ostrich

Plasencia resisted lots of battles 6 because of its

a. Huge army b. Walls c. Brave citizens

Did you enjoy your trip to Plasencia? 10 a. Yes b. No

Plasencia was founded in the 7

Century.

a. XIth b. XIIth c. XXIth One of the most beautiful things to see 8 in Plasencia in spring is

a. The lake b. The huge mountain c. The cherry blossoms

Mérida

Plasencia

Trujillo Cáceres

Mérida

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of our peninsula, in areas more fertile than Extremadura. They were punished by emperor Octavio Augusto for trying to obtain land in Italy as a reward for their efforts in the army. Octavio Augusto defeated them and, as a punishment, they were given land which was harder to work than the land in the northern territories.

SOME HISTORY Called Augusta Emerita by the Romans, the city of Mérida was founded in 25 b.C. Although it is a very old city, it isn´t the oldest settlement in Extremadura.

In fact, Metelinum (Medellín nowadays) was the most important city of this región. What happened? The “Silver Route” went through Mérida, and soon it became one of the most important cities of the empire and also the capital of the Lusitania province. In fact, Metelinum (Medellín nowadays), which was older than Mérida, was the most important city of this región. Why did this change? The “Silver Route” went through Mérida, and soon it became one of the most important cities of the empire and also the capital of the Lusitania province.

The emperor wanted to build some settlements here because the natives were very violent and new cities were needed to teach Roman culture. Nowadays, this is called Romanization.

According to some new theories, Mérida was founded by a group of soldiers that were supposed to found a city in the northen territory

Mérida �� The city was built in this specific place because of its location between two rivers, the Albarregas and the Guadiana, called “Ana river” by the Romans. Of course, Augusta Emerita was an easy place to defend.

Mérida was one of the most important cities of the Roman empire. The fact that Augusta Emerita had three aqueducts shows its importance.

then the Suevos and finally the Visigothic king Eurico, who was allied with Rome.

The Roman period was the Golden age of the city, and during the 4th century public buildings were entirely renovated. The first bishops of the Catholic Church soon considered Augusta Emerita an important place to control.

The city suffered constant civil wars during the Visigothic occupation. Despite all these wars, it was not a bad time for the city, which continued developing thanks to different bishops who built churches, hospitals and schools.

During the 5th century the city was invaded several times by the barbarians, first the Alans,

�� Mérida Mérida was reconquered by king Alfonso IX, who gave the city to the archbishop of Santiago de Compostela. Later, in the 13th century, the city was given to Santiago´s knights. The city became important again during the war against Portugal in the 14th century. And in the 15th century, a battle that took place near Proserpina lake, the Albuera battle, was decisive for Elisabeth the Catholic. In June 713 the city was conquered by Muslim troops. Musa ibn Nusayr did not plunder the city but in spite of that, numerous riots took place and the Alcazaba, a fortress, was built. At this time, Mérida lost its splendor and another town, Badajoz, grew in importance, under the rule of Ibn Marwan, a nobleman who had been expelled from Mérida.

Charles V visited the city when he was going to meet his fiancé Elisabeth of Portugal, and when his son Philip II invaded Portugal, part of the invasion was planned in Mérida. After that, Mérida became a very poor place until the nineteenth century, when the train connected it to other places in Spain and its population started to grow.

At the beginning of the 20th century the archaeologist José Ramón Melida started to excavate the ancient Roman ruins. The famous Roman theatre excavations started in 1910. The Roman Theatre Festival began in 1933, when the famous actress Margarita Xirgu played the role of Medea.

Roman Art Museum was built. Since then Mérida has become a very important place in Extremadura. Mérida was chosen as the capital of Extremadura in 1983 and Emerita Augusta became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Nowadays Mérida has 60.000 inhabitants, less than Cáceres or Badajoz, but it is one of the most visited places in our region.

The city was declared a Historic and Arqueologic site in 1973 and the National

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AQUEDUCTS?

Romans didn´t use mortar in building works. They were great builders. This is the reason why they created long-lasting architecture that is still here.

SOME FACTS: An aqueduct was a type of tunnel that transported water from the natural springs to the city. Aqueducts had a slope, so water was always flowing and it never stopped, as the incline was always the same.

How were aqueducts built? Romans used iron. Iron bars were put between blocks of stone to keep them together. It is similar to tetris or to a puzzle.

Sometimes tunnels where underground and sometimes, arches were needed. This is the part we can see nowadays.

The most important aqueduct of Mérida is the “Aqueduct of the Miracles” and at some points it is twenty eight meters tall.

15 QUESTIONS TO REVISE:

1 When was the city founded?

8 What was the name of the king that gave

the city to the archbishop of Santiago de Compostela?

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2 How was the city founded.

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9 Why did Charles V visit the city?

3 Why did Mérida become a rich city?

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defend? Why?

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10 Why did Philip II visit the city?

4 Was Emerita Augusta an easy place to

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11 Who was Margarita Xirgu? Why was she important for the city?

5 What is “romanization”?

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12 Which festival takes place in Mérida

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every summer?

13 What were aqueducts used for?

6 What happened in Mérida during the 5th century?

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14 How many aqueducts are there in Mérida?

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15 How did the Romans build aqueducts?

7 Who conquered the city in the 8th

century?

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AFTER THE VISIT Join each photo to a place in Mérida AQUEDUCT ALCAZABA ROMAN FORUM ROMAN BRIDGE TRAJANOS´ARCH

RESEARCH In the main square there is a unique building. Find out why that building is so strange. ��

What do you think about the importance of having a museum for a city like Mérida? ��

Who was this man? �� This photo belongs to: http://www.man.es/man/museo /historia/personal/directores/melida.html

After visiting the city, write a short paragraph about what you found more interesting. ___________________________________ �� ___________________________________ �� ___________________________________ ��

Trujillo

Plasencia

Trujillo Cáceres

Mérida

A WALK IN TRUJILLO 1. Main square 2. Statue of Pizarro 3. The Castle 4. Santa María la Mayor Church and Torre Julia

5. La Alberca 6. Cañon de la Cárcel 7. Main square

�� Trujillo

SOME HISTORY 1 Trujillo is located to the East of Cáceres.

It was a Roman village that was dependent on Cáceres, whose name in the past was Norba Caesarina. Later, when the Muslims invaded the peninsula, it also became an important Muslim city.

In this era they started constructing the castle. In 1186, during the reign of Alfonso VIII, the first attempts to reconquer the city were made. However, it belonged to the Muslims until 1232, when Fernando III retook the city and it passed into Christian hands. This is the Main Square and on Easter Sunday a very important party takes place: “el Chíviri”, where thousands of people dance, sing, drink beer and celebrate Resurrection Sunday. There is a stage in the middle of the square and people dress up in traditional costumes. Many families and young people come to celebrate. It is a tradition that people wear red scarves and they place one on the statue of Pizarro.

Trujillo �� 2 This is the statue of Francisco Pizarro.

He was a Spanish conqueror who initiated the conquest of Peru (Inca empire). He was born in 1478 in Trujillo. Both, he and Hernán Cortés were important conquerors born in Extremadura. Nowadays, there is a museum in honour of him located in the ancestral family home.

3 From the access up along the castle you

can see the whole city because it is located in the highest area. It is built on the remains of an old citadel whose moat is preserved today. It has around 17 towers. Formerly it had seven doors, but now only four are in good condition. It has a square enclosure and a second part called “albacar”. Inside, we can see a small chapel with the statue of the Virgin of Victoria, patron of Trujillo.

4 Santa María la Mayor was built in the

12th, 15th y 16th centuries. It is believed that there used to be a mosque here. It has two towers, one at the foot and another at the head of the temple and two access doors. Its style mixes, among others, Romanesque and Gothic. The bell tower is very old, so it had to be rebuilt in the 20th century. Hence, in it you can find a very peculiar engraving made by the sculptor, which visitors try to find. Can you find it?

5 The Roman pool was formerly used by

the cattle to drink. It is 14 metres deep and it could be accessed by a staircase. A long time ago it stopped being used for cattle and people started using it to bathe. Nowadays it is closed to avoid vandalism or accidents.

6 El Cañón de la Cárcel or prison tunnel

is named like this for a logical reason: it faced the door of the old prison (that is no longer working).

ACTIVITIES

1 What empire did Pizarro conquer? a) Inca b) Aztec c) Mayan

2 What day is “El Chíviri” celebrated? a) Christmas Day b) Easter Sunday c) Carnival

3 What colour is the scarf used in this

4 Which of these are names of Trujillo

festival?

towers?

a) Red b) Colour is not important c) Yellow

a) Torre del Alfiler, Torre de Sande b) Torre Minarete, Torre de Sande c) Torre Julia, Torre del Alfiler

5 What football team is the shield located in a tower of the city? a) Atlético de Madrid b) Athletic de Bilbao c) Eibar

HAVE SOME FUN IN TRUJILLO

1 Ask someone to tell you a joke in Spanish and write it down.

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�� Go to the town hall. There you will see a building with a large door. Above the door there is a 2 shield. Draw the shield and take a picture with your drawing next to the real one.

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�� Go to “Museo del Traje”. Next to the museum you will find an old building with a large 3

door and two shields above. Draw one of them and take a picture with your drawing next to the real one.

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�� Go to “Plaza San Miguel” and take a funny/creative photo there. 4

IMPORTANT! The more of you who appear in the picture, the more points you will get. You can be as creative as you want. Go to “Iglesia de Santa María”. There you will find an old building, and in front of it a bust. 5 Draw the bust and take a picture with your drawing next to the real one.

�� Trujillo 6 Ask someone from Trujillo who these people are and write their names under the photos.

CLUE: Ask a young person

7 Choose a member of your group (whose native language is NOT Spanish) and record him/ her saying this tongue twister:

Parra tenía una perra y Guerra tenía porra, pero la perra de Parra rompió la porra de Guerra, oiga usted compadre Guerra, ¿por qué ha pegado con la porra a la perra de Parra? Porque si la perra de Parra no hubiera roto la porra de Guerra, Guerra no hubiera pegado con la porra a la perra de Parra.

8 Go to “El cañón de la Cárcel” Street and take a picture simulating a crime (robbery, kidnapping, fight, murder, etc.)

IMPORTANT! All the people must appear except for the one who takes the photo.

9 Ask someone with blond hair to take a selfie with all of you. 10 Ask a group of people (three or more) to take a selfie with all of you.

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