:05:04
Rich vegetation...
:05:06
...with more than 200 species of trees.
:05:08
Yet 5 kilometres from this fertile valley...
:05:11
...there are almost no trees.
Just a few fruit trees, rockroses and heather.
:05:19
The convent is surrounded by an 8 kilometer wall.
:05:22
It protects from attacks by wolves and wild boar.
:05:24
Inside...
:05:27
...are the scattered ruins of 18 hermitages.
:05:31
Each is marked by a cypress or two.
:05:48
Beyond here...
:05:50
.. lies Las Hurdes proper.
:05:52
We are entering the barren lands of Las Hurdes.
:05:58
The village of Aceitunilla is in one of the poorest valleys.
:06:02
The white building is the school, built recently.
:06:07
On its sloping streets we encounter daily life.
:06:17
Strange, but we never heard anyone singing in Las Hurdes.
:06:26
A miserable rivulet...
:06:29
...runs through the village
down from the hills.
:06:31
In summer, water in scarce.
:06:34
The villagers are obliged to use
this filthy water.
:06:39
Strange things go on here.
:06:40
The rivulet serves many purposes.