La Peña de Francia

When the visitors arrive in Sierra de Francia, they immediately distinguish the unique profile of this 1723 metres high mountain.

On the summit there is a Dominican sanctuary, which houses the Morena Virgin, patron saint of the province of Salamanca. There is an Inn and several lookouts.

The name Francia is related to the medieval repopulation of this land with people coming from remote places. According to a legend, a French student, Simon Vela, found the sculpture of the Virgin in a cave in 1434. A popular pilgrimage is celebrated to honour the Virgin on the 8th September.

A winding road takes to the top of the mountain, leaving behind oaks and pines. It is advisable to go up there and let your eyes get lost in the horizon until you can manage to see the lands of Extremadura. Among the mountains and overlooks it is not unusual to find some mountain goats, the owners of these cliffs.