La Ruta Vía de la Plata joins the Bay of Biscay to the west by the Atlantic Andalusian peninsula. While it became more important during Roman times, when it joined the road system that articulated communications empire in the peninsula, the route already existed in pre-Roman times. Tartessos was the people who used to trade with northern mining areas, and later the Carthaginians also attended as penetration into the plateau.

However, not until the arrival of the Romans when they start construction work that would make it a major roadway. Augustus owed much of the route, which was completed by the emperor Tiberius, Trajan and Hadrian, giving the itinerary of an infrastructure that highlight the milestones,cylindrical stone that marked the path.

The main route linking Emerita Augusta (Mérida) and Asturica Augusta (Astorga), although archaeological evidence shows that the route would continue to Gijon and Seville, configure a route that is articulated around the peninsular west, joining the system of roads that were built by the Romans who ruled the territory to facilitate the transport of troops and goods.

With the passing of centuries the route continued to maintain its pivotal role of communication and allowed not only the Romanization of the peninsula, but also facilitated the penetration Muslim and, conversely, the Christian troops southward. Also allowed the Jacobean pilgrims arrive in Santiago after link with the French way, and became an important royal gorge when the Royal Council of the Mesta took its course to establish the cattle trails. With the advent of steam became part of the communications network of the country to build the railroad, giving rise to other major road infrastructure today: the N-630 and A-66.

Silver name by which it is known today, originated in the era of Muslim domination and from the Arabic meaning Balata paved road or pavement.