Norba Caesarina Guitar Festival

The Norba Caesarina International Classical Guitar Meeting is an event organized by the Extremadura Classical Guitar Association "Ángel Iglesias" with the purpose of spreading culture throughout the autonomous community and creating an international event through classical guitar, its performers, teachers, and composers.

Location

Cáceres, Spain

Type

Festival

Frequency

annual

Official website

https://www.aguicex.com/

Visiting? A guitarist's guide to Cáceres

Cáceres, a beautiful city of medieval streets and ancient walls in Spain's Extremadura region, hosts the annual Norba Caesarina Guitar Festival. This UNESCO World Heritage site provides a historic backdrop for a festival celebrating the classical guitar, inviting enthusiasts to combine their passion for music with the exploration of a city rich in history and culture.

Getting there

The nearest major international airports are Madrid Barajas, Seville, and Lisbon, each located around 250-300 km from Cáceres. While a smaller domestic airport at Talavera (Badajoz) serves Cáceres from Madrid and Barcelona, international visitors will most likely fly into one of the larger hubs. From Madrid's Estación del Sur, buses offer a direct route to Cáceres, with journeys typically ranging from three and a half to four and a half hours. Several daily train services also connect Cáceres to Madrid Atocha, Lisbon, and Badajoz, though these routes are generally slower than road transport. Drivers can reach Cáceres via the A-5 motorway from Madrid, connecting to the A-58 autopista, or via the A-66 from Salamanca or Seville. The city's bus and train stations are located 1-2 km from the city centre, an easy stroll along the Avenida de Alemania, with taxis readily available.

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Where to stay

Cáceres is a compact and walkable city, making it easy to navigate on foot, with most areas within a 30-minute walk of the centre. For convenience during the festival, consider staying within or near the Old Town (casco antiguo), which is the primary draw for visitors and home to most museums and culturally significant buildings. The Palacio Golfines de Arriba, for example, is now a well-maintained Parador hotel within this historic area, offering an opportunity to stay in a historical building.

What you'll hear

The Norba Caesarina Guitar Festival brings together guitarists and enthusiasts in a city renowned for its historical ambiance. While specific details of the competition repertoire or featured artists are best found on the official website, such festivals typically showcase a range of classical guitar music, from established masterpieces to contemporary works, often featuring emerging talents and seasoned performers.

While no specific classical guitar composer is historically tied to Cáceres, the city itself offers a deeply resonant setting for musical reflection. Its ancient Roman arches, medieval walls, and Renaissance palaces have witnessed centuries of cultural evolution. Exploring these surroundings provides a sense of the enduring artistic spirit that continues to thrive in Spain, a country whose musical heritage has profoundly influenced the classical guitar repertoire.

The local table

Extremadura is a region celebrated for its robust cuisine, and Cáceres offers a chance to experience truly local flavors. A must-try is the Jamón Ibérico dehesa de Extremadura, renowned for its quality, and often served simply to highlight its rich taste. Another regional specialty to seek out is migas extremeñas, a hearty dish typically made with breadcrumbs, often accompanied by pork products like chorizo or bacon, and sometimes grapes. For cheese lovers, Torta del Casar, a creamy, pungent sheep's milk cheese with a protected designation of origin from Extremadura, is a local delicacy. Many restaurants offering these regional dishes can be found in and around the picturesque Plaza Mayor.

Fancy a guided taste? Food and wine tours in Cáceres →

While you're there

Much of your time in Cáceres will likely be spent exploring its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, a labyrinth of medieval streets and plazas. Begin at the elongated Plaza Mayor, featuring the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) and historic towers like Horno, Yerba, and Bujaco, alongside the old Arco de Estrella city gate. Ascend into the Upper Old City to discover the Templo de San Francisco Javier, offering climbable towers for panoramic views, the Saint Matthew church, the Tower of Storks, and the Cáceres history museum. Don't miss the Convent of Saint Paul, where nuns sell homemade pastries to the public. In the Lower Old City, pass through the Arco de Estrella to visit the Saint Mary Cathedral, where a statue of San Pedro de Alcántara is said to bring luck in love if you rub its feet. Nearby, the Palacio Golfines de Abajo holds historical significance. Explore the Plaza of Saint George and the Church of the Precious Blood, also with a climbable tower. Further downhill, an Arab museum in a restored 12th-century Muslim house and the 2,000-year-old Roman arch, Arco de Cristo, reveal layers of history. At the bottom of the hill, the Claustro Principal del Complejo Cultural San Francisco, a 1472 monastery now used for events, is worth a peek, especially for the large storks nesting on its eaves. For a broader view, take a short trip to the Santuario De Nuestra Señora De La Montaña, located on a mountain south of town, offering commanding vistas.

Tours, tickets and day trips in Cáceres →

More guitar events in Spain: Alhambra Junior International Guitar Competition (CIGAJ) · Certamen Internacional Andrés Segovia · Certamen Miquel Llobet · CIGA - Alhambra International Guitar Competition · Concurso Ángel G. Piñero · Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM)

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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