The harsh environment of Extremadura was where the Roman conquerors built Augusta Emerita, the capital of Lusitania as a home for retired legionaires: Mérida, the most completely-preserved Roman city in Spain.

This same harsh environment was the cradle of the conquistadores, a parched landscape, a cruel country that bred cruel people, men who opened up a new world for the Spanish empire. Remote before and forgotten since it enjoyed a brief golden age when its heroes returned with their gold to live in a flourish of splendour. Trujillo and Cáceres both preserve entire towns built with conquistador wealth, the streets crowded with the ornate mansions of returning empire builders. The monastery of Guadalupe is fabulously wealthy with the spoils of the Conquistadores.