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Guide for south east Extremadura
A trip through the south east of Extremadura, the eastern part of Badajoz
province: the Campiña Sur zone, La Serena, Vegas Altas del Guadiana and
La Siberia.

Campiña Sur
The wide zones of dehesas and smooth mountain ranges are the
perfect place for birds like the great bustard or the
crane.
In this zone we can see many references to ancient civilizations:
dolmens and menhirs at Cardenchosa from prehistoric ages, or the roman town
of Regina, with its beautiful roman theater.
The visitor can also see many castles and defensive buildings
used by Arabs and Christians in the Middle Age.
Azuaga
and Llerena have a rich representation of Mudejar architecture (the mudejar
people were moslem permitted to live under Christian rule).
Near
Fuentes del Arco is located the mine Mina la Jayona, an old mine converted
in a special, and almost magical, natural environment.
La Serena
The name of this zone comes from the Arab term Serna, translated as plain
(open country). The actual translation from Spanish is 'peaceful' and reflects
the perfect name for this zone.
The
big reservoirs at the East of Extremadura are an real paradise for birds.
There is a ZEPA (zone of special protection for birds) in La Serena, so it
is perfect for birdwatching.
The dam called La Serena is one of the biggest dams of Europe.
There are many castles, defensive buildings and religious
constructions related with the Alcantara Order
(a Christian military Order in the Middle Age).
From Roman and pre-Roman days you can see the settlers at
Cancho Roano and Hijovejo.
Vegas Altas del Guadiana
The Guadiana is one of two big rivers that flow through Extremadura lands.
This zone is called Vegas of Guadiana because the lands are very fertile in
the proximity of the Guadiana river in this area.
Don Benito and Villanueva de la Serena
are the main cities.
Many cultures and civilizations were living in this zone because
the richness of those lands and the strategic location.
The Alcantara Order and the Santiago
Order have a great influence over the zone in the Middle Age. There
are many militar and defensive buildings.
Medellin is a clear example of the history of this land: it
has in a few meters the rests of an Roman theater, the impressive Christian
castle (builded over an Arab castle), three churches of differents styles
and epochs and a beautiful bridge over the Guadiana river.
Villanueva celebrates every year the Festival
of Theater in the Streets, a very original and fresh event.
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