One of Spain’s great trade routes, the Via de la Plata stretches 800km from Sevilla to Gijon, crossing 8 provinces and has done so since Roman times. Its name “the Silver Route” hasn’t really any basis in trade of that metal but is thought to be a derivation of the muslim “balata” meaning paved. Through the ages the route has been used by tradesmen, soldiers and shepherds, in turns by Christians and Muslims, each leaving their mark and, given that it passes through some of Spain’s poorest and thus most unspoilt areas, much is still there to be seen today.