Trujillo, Spain

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Trujillo is a town in Spain, in the Extremadura region. Originally the Roman town was called Turgalium, which is probably of Celtic origin [1]. The town now calls itself the "Cradle of the Conquistadors", having been the birthplace of many men who sought their fortune in the New World. Celts, Romans, Moors, and Christians have inhabited Trujillo over the centuries.

Trujillo has a population of 9,219 (2001 census). It is situated in the province of Cáceres at 39°29′N 5°53′W and its altitude is 564 metres above sea level. It is connected to Cáceres, at 47 kilometres to the east, by RN 521, and to Madrid, about 250 kilometres to the northwest, by N-V . Trujillo municipality has an area of 655 km².

Trujillo has a castle which overlooks the town and the surrounding plains. A fortification had existed for a long time before it was occupied by the Moors. It came into Christian hands in 1233. Juan II officially made it a city in 1431. The castle is on the top of a hill called Cabezo de Zorro (fox's head), and the patron saint, the Virgin of Victory, is on a window on the top of the castle.

Francisco Pizarro's statue with San Martin church in the background

Trujillo was the birthplace of Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of Peru, who has a statue on the central square. It was also the birthplace of Francisco de Orellana. Other monuments include the churches of Santa María (13th century) and San Francisco. It also has palaces such as the Chaves "El viejo" palace where the treatment of "Tanto monta, monta tanto" was signed by the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand.

Like many smaller towns in Spain, Trujillo has its own bullring. There are generally only one or two fights a year, but the ring is also used for other events.

Trujillo's Plaza Mayor (main square) is a bustling area with cafes, restaurants, and shops. A popular festival is the Chivirí, a party celebrated on the Plaza Mayor where people from the town dance traditional dances and eat and drink as they did when they were shepherds and peasants.

[edit] Trivia

In the movie Gladiator, Maximus tells Marcus Aurelius of his home and farms in Trujillo, although he should have referred to it by its Roman name of Turgalium.