🎵 Audio guide
Robledillo de Gata is located in a steep valley, framed by high mountains. With the land to the west reserved for agriculture, the village seems caught between the foothills to the east and the River Árrago (whose source lies within the territory of Robledillo and which gave the village its original name - Robledillo de Valdarrago).
In 1994 Robledillo was recognised as a cultural heritage site within the category of Conjunto Histórico, a type of conservation area. It won the title of Maravilla Rural (Rural Beauty) in 2018 and has been named Spain's most beautiful village. As such, it is the best representation of rural architecture in the Sierra de Gata.
The earliest evidence of settlers dates from the middle bronze age and there is a votive altar from the Roman era in the church. Its written history begins in 1212 when Alfonso IX definitively took control of the Sierra de Gata.
Robledillo belonged to the Monroy family until 1544 when it became part of the House of Oropesa, whose coat of arms appears on the coffered ceiling of the sacristy. It wasn't until 1833 that Robledillo became part of Caceres province and it was only in 1958 that it split from the Diocese of Ciudad Rodrigo and joined that of Coria.
The development of the village was determined by the hillside and the various small streams which flow through it. There are three main defining elements: the square, where the town hall is located; the church, which dominates the village; and the river, which dictated the direction of the main streets.
Robledillo is earth in a sea of green. The brownish-grey tones of its slate and old wood, the ochre of its adobe and clay, and the reds of its roof tiles contrast with the whitewashed window frames and the impressive sgrafitto (decorative plasterwork). Beautiful examples of pasadizos sobre las calles continue to provide shade and protection to the precious wines for which this village is famous.
The surroundings are a harmonious mix, with various little lanes heading into the green countryside, leading us to excellent viewpoints. There are terraces of vegetable gardens, olive trees and grape vines in the lower part, with riverside forest embracing the river. As we ascend the hillside, the forest changes from oak to chestnut to pine trees, with the pines dominating the steep slopes, mixed with scrub.
Robledillo has many interesting features: the 16th century Church of Our Lady of the Assumption; three 16th century chapels - the Ermitas del Manso Cordero, del Humilladero and de San Miguel; the old Franciscan Hospital; examples of vernacular architecture; its surroundings; and the River Árrago and its natural swimming pool.
The Holy week celebrations are also worthy of a special mention. These are notable for their devotion to an articulated carving of Cristo Yacente which is housed in the church and heads one? of the easter processions around this beautiful village, carried on the shoulders of the faithful villagers.