Discover Burguillos: Castle, Old Town and Dehesa

Burguillos combines a protected historic ensemble with a landscape of dehesas and holm oak and cork oak forests. In the town, the castle, churches and narrow streets shape the scene; around the Sierra del Cordel, mining history and protected nature are also defining features. As you plan your trip, combine these different aspects with local festivals and traditional cuisine.

Castle and Historic Ensemble

The Historic Ensemble of Burguillos del Cerro is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest. Its tightly clustered, narrow streets and predominantly single-storey vernacular architecture form a town centre best appreciated as a cohesive townscape. The castle is a square fortress with four towers at the corners. Parts of its outer wall remain, topped with battlements; inside are four main towers and two secondary towers. The fortress was expanded several times over the course of its history.

Plaza Alta is also a historic landmark: since the 15th century, it has been the social and economic centre of Burguillos del Cerro. The traditional stone crosses, or cruceros, mark the successive expansions of the historic town and are of ethnographic value. One specific example is the Crucero de la Calle San Juan. The marble cross dates from the 15th century, stands on a flight of steps and bears an iron cross; it is the oldest crucero in Burguillos del Cerro. The parish church of Santa María de la Encina y de San Juan adds to the historic scene with its single-nave layout, Neoclassical dome and four-section tower. It dates from the 18th century.

Sierra del Cordel and Mining History

The natural landscape around Burguillos is characterised by dehesas and holm oak and cork oak forests. The Sierra del Cordel and the mines of Burguillos del Cerro are protected as a Site of Scientific Interest; this designation was granted by a regional decree in 2017. The mining area includes Mina Monchi, a mine gallery designated as open to visitors. The Ruta Monumental is adapted for people of all abilities.

Festivals, Traditions and Local Cuisine

The Feria del Espárrago is held every year. The programme includes cookery demonstrations, tastings and gastronomic competitions; check the dates and programme before your trip. Also consider the recurring Noche Templaria de San Juan when planning your trip: its programme includes educational, cultural and leisure activities in the historic centre and in prominent buildings. The Feria y Fiestas de San Lorenzo features children's events, concerts, folk dancing, theatre, exhibitions and sports activities. Also check the current dates and programme details for the Feria y Fiestas de San Lorenzo in advance.

A tradition of its own is the Fiesta de los Pilares: on the night of 23 June, the feast day of Saint John, locals gather at an emblematic stone basin to wash their eyes; rituals involving fire and water then take place there. Traditional dishes include Caldereta de cordero, a lamb stew, and Revuelto de espárragos, a dish made with asparagus. Whether these dishes are on a restaurant menu may vary.

Plan Your Visit

The Centro de Interpretación de la Orden del Temple has exhibitions on the history of Burguillos del Cerro. The Centro de Interpretación de la Arquitectura Popular showcases different forms of Extremaduran vernacular architecture and how they have developed. For maps, local recommendations and help planning your trip, you can visit the Punto de Información Turística at the Universidad Popular, Calle Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe No. 3. Check the details of this visitor service again before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Campanario, Torremejía, Peraleda del Zaucejo, Acedera, La Roca De La Sierra, Calamonte, Feria, Alburquerque.

For the regional travel overview: Badajoz.