The name of this route refers to a wide border territory that extends to the west of the province of Salamanca. The defense of such areas motivated the construction of a series of fortified towns. The architectural characteristics of these fortresses are those of the fortified structures that developed in Europe in the XVII and XVIII centuries as a suitable defensive model for cities, enclaves and fortified towns. San Felices and el Castro de Yecla Start your itinerary in Ciudad Rodrigo around San Felices de los Gallegos (historical town) where the remains of a medieval fortress are located. Later you will come to castro de Yecla de Yeltes, where you will encounter a splendid defensive construction from the Iron Age. Siega Verde and el Fuerte To continue the route you will need to return south toward Villar de la Yegua and Villar de Ciervo. We soon arrive at the river Águeda and a recommended stop at the Archaeological Site of Siega Verde where we encounter magnificent paleolithic cave paintings and there is a classroom-museum. The jewel of the route is located in Aldea del Obispo, maybe the best example of fortified military architecture of the western part of the peninsula: el Fuerte de la Concepción (Fortress of the Conception). This defensive complex of the XVII and XVIII centuries displays in its different parts all the beauty and strength that allowed it to withstand conflicts with neighbouring Portuguese and French invaders. Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo A road from the neighbouring Val de la Mula will take us to Almeida (Portugal). There you will find another excellent example of this type of fortified structure in a perfect state of conservation and integrated in the life and culture of its residents. After your visit you may choose to return to Ciudad Rodrigo (historical town), by road N-620 (E-80) and conclude the route by visiting the city. Walk along the city walls and enjoy the moats, bridges, etc. A good place to finish your visit is the Centre of Interpretation of the Fortresses located at one of the guard posts. It would be an excellent way to top off the itinerary.