Ruta de la Plata

See all towns>>

Baños de Montemayor

History

Roman times

The oldest evidence of the past still preserved in our municipality dates back to Roman times and is linked to the existence of a thermal water spring and to the Roman road. The different authors who have studied the “Via de la Plata " Roman road have not agreed on what the name of this place would be, some identifying it with the mansio of Caelionico, and others with Banium or Aquae Caperensis.
During the Middle Ages, the Via de la Plata served to mark the boundary between the Catholic Kingdoms of Castile and León, turning Baños de Montemayor into two villages (Baños de Montemayor and Baños de Béjar) as the existence of two different parishes gives evidence, until 1833 when, through the new reorganization of provinces, Baños becomes a single municipality. From the 17th century and due to the well-deserved renown for its thermal water, it became one of the most visited localities in Extremadura, having so far one of the most modern spas in Europe.
 
Via de la Plata
 
The road preserves its layout in two large stretches situated at the north and south accesses to the town. The cobblestone road of the northern stretch, with about a two-kilometre route, underwent restoration in 1973. In this section, where access to go through the pass starts, two examples of sewers can be seen.
Next to the southern stretch, half kilometre from the village, a small Roman bridge called “del Cubo “(Cube´s) is preserved; it has a single arch with a  span of 3,50 metres and is completely restored.
This natural route of communication has a remote origin. As a Roman itinerary, it extended between Mérida (Emérita Augusta) and Astorga (Astúrica Augusta), and has been studied since the 18th century to present day, due to its historical and cultural relevance.
Distances, in Roman miles, were marked with milestones, and at the end of each day’s journey there was a "mansio" or parador to rest. Baños de Montemayor could be said to belong to the location of one these mansios: Caelionico or Cecilio Vico.
The road went through the village, preserving two stretches of its layout in the N and S exits. Linked to the road, there are sewers and bridges, such as the one called Cubo (Cube). During the Middle Ages, it becomes a pilgrim’s road, being part of the Way of St James' southern pilgrim route. It also served as a way of transhumance, coinciding in a large extent of its layout, with Vizana drover’s road.
 
Middle Ages
 
During the Middle Ages, the Via de la Plata lost economic importance and after the Reconquest, its route served to mark the boundary between the Catholic kingdoms of Castile and León. Later, it was also used to delimit the ecclesiastical jurisdictions from the dioceses of Coria and Plasencia.Thus, Baños turns into a border village, generating two population centres linked as for physical reality, but completely differentiated administratively.
Each district belonged to different kingdoms and dioceses (the reason why there are two parish temples) and to different feudal lords.
The part belonging to Santa Catalina parish depended on the kingdom of Castile and the diocese of Plasencia, and belonged to the Duke of Béjar, whereas Santa María parish district was part of the kingdom of León, belonged to the diocese of Coria and to the demesne of the Marquis of Montemayor. With the provincial division in 1833, Baños de Montemayor became an independent municipality.
Finally, in 1959, it passed to the diocese of Plasencia.
18th to 20th Centuries
In the 18th century, D. José González Laso, the bishop of Plasencia, carried out important building works in the area, including the spa refurbishment, which was later continued by D. Juan de Porras y Atienza, the bishop of Coria. The first building for the baths, whose brick vaults are still preserved, dates from this period.
The 19th century was the period of greatest flowering of thermalism, constructing a new building for the spa and a hotel. Due to its special microclimate, Baños became a destination for holidaymakers, who build summer homes following the architectural styles of that time.
 
History History
  • © Red de Cooperación de Ciudades en la Ruta de la Plata
  • C/Santa Lucía Nº19 2º 33206 Gijón ASTURIAS (ESPAÑA)