Hervás
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Hervás is a Spanish town in the north of the province of Cáceres.
It had 3,839 inhabitants in 2005. It's 120 km from Cáceres and 90 km far from Salamanca. It's the capital of the Valle de Ambroz comarca in the Ambroz River valley. It has a soft continental climate.
History
In 12th century, the Knights Templar built Santihervás hermitage under the patronage of the Christian martyrs Gervasius and Protasius. By this hermitage the town started to grow during 13th and 14th centuries.
From its foundation on it belonged to the lordship of Béjar in the Kingdom of Castile: it passed to Cáceres jurisdiction on the 30 November 1833.
La Judería
Lots of Jewish families started to settle from 15th century on, they even maintained their rituals some years after 1492. The Jewish quarter (Judería) has been maintained and it's one of the tourist lures of the town.
Economy
The textile industry was very important from 18th century to 19th century. After that, the chestnut wood industry, handicrafts and tourism have been the pillar of Hervás' economy.
Remarkable buildings
- La Enfermería de los Religiosos Franciscanos (Franciscan Sickbay), 18th century, current town hall.
- El Convento de los Religiosos Trinitarios (Trinitarian Convent), current Junta de Extremadura Hospedería (chain of four stars hotels run by regional government).
- Pérez Comendador-Leroux Museum, 18th century.
- La Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María (Saint Mary's Parish Church).
40°16′N 5°51′W / 40.267°N 5.850°W
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