Monesterio to Merida

Monesterio was strongly linked to the history of the Camino once when Templars from the Order of Santiago brought wealth to the town, back in the 15th and 16th Centuries. Nowadays, little remains as witness to this heritage and Monesterio is a quiet Extremaduran town.

Today the Camino can be quite exposed, walking on long undulating tracks with scattered oak holms and fig groves providinge shelter from the sun here and there. A few kilometres after Monesterio, don’t miss the 5,000 year-old megalith, just 10m off the track. Grazing pigs will probably be the only inhabitants you will see along the way, as the Camino doesn’t pass through any villages before reaching Fuente de Cantos, a pretty village.

When leaving Fuente de Cantos, we follow an ancient Roman route and start to see the first planted vines of this section, a sign of changing soil. A few kilometres further on, we pass through Calzadilla de los Barros. After that, it is an isolated and peaceful stroll along undulating dirt tracks, bordered by vineyards and olive groves. The walking day ends in Zafra, a charming old town that is also known as ‘Little Sevilla’.

The first few kilometres after Zafra gently climb up before zig-zagging down to the whitewashed town of Los Santos de Maimona. Then, it is an enjoyable walk up and down through farmland, vineyards, and olive trees with smashing views over the surrounding countryside.

Leaving Villafranca de los Barros, we find ourselves surrounded mainly by vineyards as the area produces a well-known wine enjoyed across Spain. The flat ground and short distance to Amendralejo makes today an easy and pleasant stroll through the gentle countryside.

After Almendralejo, we start to see mountains in the distance to our right and the crops also diversify as sunflower and cereal fields alternate with vines and olive groves. Toremegia is the only town we pass through today before continuing through the countryside. Getting back to civilisation, you will be stunned when approaching Merida and its rich historical heritage.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell. This city has a rich Roman history. It was founded as a Roman colony in 25 BC under the order of Emperor Augustus and it became one of the most important areas in Roman Hispania. Nowadays, Merida attracts tourists from all over the world to see the sights of Roman life, including the Forum, Circus Maximus, and aqueduct.