Plaza Mayor square in San Martín de Trevejo (Cáceres, Extremadura)

San Martín de Trevejo

Cáceres

Streams flowing through the streets, granite stairways on the outside of the ancient houses providing direct access to the first floor. San Martín de Trevejo, a unique village. Its old quarter has the Property of Cultural Interest designation.

Its traditional architecture is characterised by its houses with three storeys –ground floor and two other levels– which all follow a similar model. On the outside the houses have stone walls on the ground floor with staircases or granite ledges with steps which give access to the dwelling from the street. This is because the ground floor was used as a cellar for storing oil, wine and other provisions, and for cattle. The two upper floors – the house proper and the attic– have a façade projecting over the street which is supported by means of sturdy wooden beams whose edges are sometimes carved with figures. In addition, the centre sections of several of the narrow streets in the village are cobbled so that the crystal-clear waters can flow down them on their way to the Jálama River.