Alía

This Cáceres town was founded as Hélice in 200 BC as attested to by the carved stone remains found as well as some caves in La Raña. Even though there is no evidence that the Romans actually occupied this area, it is known that the Moors exercised great influence there, a fact reflected in its old houses and the structure of its streets.

Nonetheless, you also shouldn't overlook its more modern architecture on your visit, such as the silo and lime kilns, not to mention its religious heritage as represented by the parish church dedicated to Santa Catalina, a marvellous example of Extremadura Mudejar style, the chapel of Concepción, the chapel of San Isidro and the church of Calera, which preserves its original baptismal font and pallium.

For those who wish to fully immerse themselves in local history and tradition there's no better way savouring some of its traditional dishes, practically of which are pork or game based, such as the Extremadura "caldereta" (goat/lamb casseroles), flame grilled young goat, game, partridge and rabbit, as well as "migas" (fried breadcrumbs with chopped bacon and pork, chorizo etc.), gazpacho and "rebolao". And for dessert, why not try one of the star dishes: "roscas de candelilla" cake, "buñuelos" (profiteroles), "perrunillas" (biscuits), "mantecados" (sweet made from flour, almonds and lard), "encanutaos" or the milk and flour based sweet "leche guisá".&lt;strong&gt;<br />&lt;/strong&gt;