In the 12th century, the Knights Templar built Santihervás hermitage under the patronage of the Christian martyrs Gervasius and Protasius.

From its foundation on it belonged to the lordship of Béjar in the Kingdom of Castile:[5] it passed to Cáceres jurisdiction on the 30 November 1833.

The city's civil and religious architecture has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1969.

Some Jews remained in Hervas following their expulsion from Spain in 1492; although they officially converted to Christianity, they continued to practice Judaism in secrecy for a very long time.

The Jewish quarter (Judería) of Hervas has been maintained and it is one of the main tourist attractions of the town.