HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
A land full of hidden treasures and legendary traditions
Starting with the origin of its name, La Siberia represents a great unknown for the visitor. There are different versions about the origin of this designation. On the one hand, it is believed that it may be due to the similarity of our territory with the Russian Siberia, in relation to the orography, being an unknown territory, isolated, very extensive, wild and virgin. A close version also tells that it was the XII Duke of Osuna, ambassador of Russia, who coined the term, finding similarities between these Extremadura and Russian landscapes.
In addition to its natural wealth, La Siberia Biosphere Reserve is also home to an immense cultural heritage, based on a rich artistic and architectural heritage, and has managed to preserve its identity through its festivals, traditions and gastronomy, which gives added value to the uniqueness of the territory.
Monuments
Among the most emblematic monuments of the RB of La Siberia, the Castle of Puebla de Alcocer and the Castle of Herrera del Duque stand out. Both control the entire Siberian territory, and have Don Gutierre de Sotomator as the great architect. There are also original manor houses and religious temples, as well as Celtic forts, historical bridges, cave paintings, dolmens, etc., scattered throughout the different villages.
Scenic viewpoints
Given the natural and scenic wealth, a visit to La Siberia immediately becomes a unique experience, which requires to be observed from a privileged place. For them there are incredible scenic viewpoints, scattered throughout the territory, in which to breathe fresh air and enjoy excellent panoramic views. The castles of Herrera del Duque and Puebla de Alcocer stand out for providing some of the widest and most emblematic views, being easily accessible by car. Other viewpoints are integrated into the route of hiking trails, such as Puerto Peña, so you will have to take a walk before reaching their desired views.
Museums and Interpretation Centers
An unmissable stop is the Honey Museum in Fuenlabrada de los Montes, or the Museum of the Extremaduran Giant, in Puebla de Alcocer. You can also soak up all our culture and traditions in the Ethnographic Museum of Garbayuela, as well as learn about the forest and environmental resources of the environment in the Interpretation Center of Los Robledillos, in Helechosa de los Montes.
Roads to Guadalupe
There are three pilgrimage routes to Guadalupe that pass through the RB of La Siberia. Because of the proximity, there is a deep-rooted custom of making a pilgrimage to Guadalupe, either walking, on horseback or by bike, with the illusion of reaching the Royal Monastery of Guadalupe.
Festivals and traditions.
Many ancestral festivals and celebrations are found in La Siberia, full of traditions and customs, with an intense symbolism that alternates the pagan and the religious, and all of them impregnated with a deep love for the roots. They are a clear representation of the identity of these lands.
The festivity of Los Auroros de Garbayuela is a ritual that is practically extinct in the region, made up of religious songs sung by a group of men on the eve of Christian festivities; San Blas, which is celebrated on February 3 in Garbayuela, one of the oldest traditions still in force in Extremadura, in which about 40 young men perform a dance using sticks of dry wild olive tree as swords;
The Diablucos, from Helechosa de los Montes, coinciding with Corpus Christi, who for more than 500 years have been staging the struggle between good and evil; or San Antón, who conquer the streets of Peloche with their dances every January 17, dressed in highly elaborate traditional costumes. Declared of Cultural Interest in the category of Intangible Heritage.
Stories and legends
In La Siberia are preserved many stories, proverbs, words, sayings and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. Very well known is the story of Inés de Herrera, the prophet girl, or that of Agustín Luengo Capilla, the Extremeño Giant, which you can discover in the museum of Puebla de Alcocer. All the sayings and legends are closely linked to Siberian work, traditions and customs.
Cultural events
In addition to the traditional festivities, in the RB of La Siberia various cultural events are held throughout the year. Do not miss the Fiesta de la Jara en Flor, a day full of folklore, exhibitions and activities for all audiences, which celebrates the cohesion of the villages of the region of La Siberia; each year, a different village acts as host and offers visitors a sample of their traditions, customs and gastronomy. It is usually held in April, when the flowering of the rockrose is at its peak.
Trasterminance
Livestock trails are transhumance paths that link traditional grazing sites. These paths have been historically transcendental for the settlement of the population, as well as being an authentic reservoir of biodiversity. Due to their historical livestock character, in La Siberia, the cattle trails are the backbone of its traditions, heritage and culture.
The Cañada Real Leonesa Oriental and the Cañada Real Segoviana cross these lands. Key areas for the passage of livestock are the Puente de la Mesta de Villarta de los Montes, as well as Tamurejo, where the emblematic Fiesta de la Trasterminancia is held every year, normally during the month of November, depending on the conditions of the pastures and the rains each year.
Siberian folklore
Music and dance, together with the dances of the festivities and the Siberian jota, are another sign of identity of the RB of La Siberia. The dancers of San Blas and the dancers of Peloche, both declared of Cultural Interest (BIC), stand out. In addition, there are numerous Siberian jota groups that sing and dance at festivals and celebrations, highlighting the folklore of the land.
Siberian handicrafts
La Siberia also preserves flavors related to handicrafts, with a great tradition in the manufacture of "corchuelos", traditional beehives made of cork, sewn with rockrose nails, used in beekeeping and livestock work, as well as casseroles and bowls.