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"The profusion of aromatic herbs and flowers growing in abundance in the unexpectedly green landscape dispel as if by magic dark and gloomy cares" (George Borrow, 1838).

Characteristics of Nature: The Dehesa

Finca Santa Marta's visitors praise the vastness of the surrounding "dehesas", the scenic views from the silent roads winding through unspoilt nature and the dazzling beauty of wild lavender and red poppies covering hill after hill in springtime.

"The dehesa is an astonishing landscape unique to the Iberian Peninsula but with echoes of other landscapes: orchards in France, parkland in southern England, olive groves in Greece or East African savannh" (Conservationist Nick Hammond, Artists for Nature Foundation).

It is the outcome of partial clearance of woodland.The dominating tree is the holm oak sheltering the merino sheep and the black or brown Iberian pig which feed on the oaks' acorns during the autumn months giving the meat its sweet flavor.The cork-oaks, their bark ripped off every 9 years, grow in the humid mountain folds. But as the soil is poor and the pasture insufficient, transhumance of merinos and cattle used to take place to the northern pasture lands along the age old "cañadas". These tracks however no long echo the romantic shepherd ballads as the moving is now done by truck.

Half an hour driving from the Finca, a dehesa-area stretches between the Natural Park of Monfrague and the medieval village of Guadalupe (Monastery with its black-faced Holy Virgin, victory on the Moors; later, Columbus paying homage to the Queen of Castilla). It is home to a magnificent diversity of birds and is very popular with birdwatchers and nature-lovers from all over the world.

Olive Grove by Han Van Hagen

Vultures Over the Dehesa by Lars Johnson

Nature around Trujillo

General

Quoted from Nicholas Hammond in "Artists For Nature in Extremadura". 

"Huge granite boulders are a feature of the countryside around Trujillo. The bulk of these boulders and their shapes contrasted with the delicacy of the birds and the tiny herbs growing around them. There was an ancient air to the boulder area where retitnto cattle grazed in company with busy cattle egrets."

"The evergreen trees that dominate the dehesa are holm oaks, which have developed huge root systems to tap a water-table several metres below ground. Some dehesas of Extremadura are of cork oaks, which grow under slightly more humid conditions and are also grown along field edges. As well as acorns for animal fodder the oaks provide firewood, charcoal, cork and tannin." 

"The traditional black or dark-brown pig, the cerdo iberico, which are long-legged and look rather like less hairy wild boars, graze in the pastures and consume roots, refuse and even insects. During the fattening stage they feed extensively on fallen acorns, which give a particularly sweet flavour to hams for which the region is famous." 

Flora

Flora-lovers delight in visiting the rolling landscape between Santa Marta and the Sierra of Guadalupe often accompanied by the comprehensive flower guide book "Mediterranean Wild Flowers" (Collins), by Marjorie Blamey and Christopher Gery-Wilson" 

Lawrence Rose, on the picturesque town of Guadalupe set in mountainous country to the east of Trujillo: "The hills around the town are folded into narrow parallel ranges with steep valleys. Lynx still roam the dense scrub and oak woods that cloak their slopes, and Wildcat and Otter further attest to their wildness." 

 (list of flowers from, Travelling Nature 2000 coming soon)

The landmark of the Santa Cruz Hill

Several centuries ago, the mansions of this  proud little town of Santa Cruz de la Sierra displayed flourishing escucheons on their frontispieces. Nuflo de Chavez, one of the first founders of Bolivia, still boasts a modest palace with the typical arched granite entrance. Nestling under the impressive mountain with its pyramid-like profile, and hosting the ruins of a huge and  age-old convent , save its stunning dome and crumbling walls of the monks' previous residence, Santa Cruz aspires to be more than a mere birth place of the 17 Santa Cruz towns of Central and South America which trace back their history to this quaint "pueblo". South American embassy representatives gather every year on its Plaza to celebrate the ancestral origins, consuming the Extremadura speciality of "Pata Negra" ham and the strong regional "Pitarra" wine. 

Legend says that this spectacular mountain, now inhabited by flocks of sheep and an occasional shepherd, is where the rebellious leader of the Iberic tribes fighting against the invading Roman Legions, was buried.

Walking Trails,  "Senderismo" in Spanish

Scenic views can be seen from the hilltops around  Finca Santa Marta during one to four hour walks, with the charming village of San Clemente and its small white-washed church huddled against the olive grove covered slopes. Further on, views extend towards the profiled crest of Trujillo or on remote villages like Herguijuela or Conquista.

One of the most attractive walks is along the small and untravelled road to Santa Cruz (6 km) passing by the famous bull breeding farm, El Torreon. The peaceful, siesta taking bulls rest under the oak trees far away from the cows who they sadly will never be able to mate with. Only the most courageous who've been exceptionally "graced" by the demanding public of Seville and Madrid are entitled to a return home. Three of these "indultados" now share the fertile pastures with the females. 

Click here to see photos and scenic views of the Finca and surrounds in the Finca Photo Archive.