Higuera de Vargas: Architecture, Festivals and River Landscapes

For planning a trip, the highlights of Higuera de Vargas can be divided into cultural and scenic attractions: buildings and religious events on the one hand, and the river landscape and circular hiking routes on the other. These different themes offer different perspectives on the town.

Buildings and Townscape

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Concepción is a whitewashed masonry church dating from the 16th century, with a basilica-style layout and three naves. Portuguese architectural influences can be seen in the tower, which also has a granite portal with a pointed ogee arch. In the main chapel, a niche stands in place of an altarpiece; there are also modern murals.

In front of the façade of Castillo del Coso is a square landscaped with palm trees and other well-maintained features. A municipal description from 2021 mentions an interactive tourist touchscreen terminal at the entrance to Castillo del Coso, with tourist information, a town map showing the main sights, and QR-code access via personal mobile devices. If you plan to use the terminal, check on site whether it is currently working.

The Fortaleza de los Templarios, also known as Casa fuerte, is a square stone fortification. An octagonal ashlar tower stands at its southwest corner. Its square shape and distinctive corner tower offer another architectural highlight.

Culture and Local Events

The Centru Estremeñu de las Fronteras is a cultural center focused on borders. Its content is available in Extremaduran, Spanish, English and Portuguese. The Ermita de la Virgen de Loreto is also a cultural point of interest; it is located at Fuente Santa, which was once a pilgrimage destination.

During Semana Santa, the brotherhood holds a penitential procession three times. The celebrations in honor of Señor de los Afligidos take place in the first week of September. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the specific dates and program details: procession information, participation requirements and the annual program may change. Local social and cultural activities are now held in the town center; their program may also vary.

Río Alcarrache and Circular Hiking Routes

The Río Alcarrache flows through Higuera de Vargas. Along its course, it is designated a “Corredor Ecológico y de Biodiversidad” (Ecological and Biodiversity Corridor) because of the excellent state of conservation of its vegetation and the value of its wildlife. The river thus connects a specific landscape feature with the ecological value attributed to its vegetation and wildlife.

A circular hiking route passes through varied landscapes of plains, stands of holm and cork oaks, rockrose, hills and open terrain. Sights along the way include abandoned talc mines and a pre-Roman settlement on the Sierra La Encinosa, where some dry-stone huts have partly fallen into disrepair. Natural and cultural history come together on this route: the trail crosses different types of landscape and passes traces of earlier settlement.

A circular hiking route runs partly along the banks of the Río Alcarrache. It passes historic grain mills that were once powered by water, as well as a decommissioned hydroelectric plant that once supplied electricity to Higuera de Vargas. The mills and power plant point to former uses of the river; today, the main connection is the route along the Río Alcarrache.

One circular hike starts and ends at Travesía de Carretera de Alconchel, near Calle Pablo Neruda. Another circular hiking route starts at the fairground and ends at Pilar de La Cagona. These are specific start and end points to help you find your way. Check trail conditions locally before setting out, as signage and conditions may change.

Discover more destinations: Guadiana del Caudillo, Cabeza Del Buey, El Raposo, Bienvenida, Alange, Villar Del Rey, La Rabaza, La Zarza.

For the broader travel overview: Badajoz.