Discover Palomas

Palomas offers a range of options for a trip: the parish church of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, the Puente Medieval, festival traditions and a walking route along the Río Palomillas. If you’re looking for hotels in Palomas, these themes can help shape your stay. The festival dates in May and September may also be relevant when planning your trip.

Parish church, tower and altar

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de Gracia dates back to the first quarter of the 16th century. It was already under construction in 1515, and the work was almost complete by the middle of the century. Its Gothic-Mudéjar façade tower was built shortly before 1550 and is considered one of the finest examples of a Mudéjar tower in Extremadura.

Inside, the main altarpiece dates from the second half of the 17th century. Its features include Solomonic columns with spiralling shafts. This makes it possible to distinguish the church’s building history from a later decorative feature: the tower dates to the middle of the 16th century, while the main altarpiece dates to the second half of the 17th century.

Festivals and religious traditions

The Fiestas de la Cruz de Mayo take place every first weekend of May and are organised with the participation of Palomas residents. The AutoSacramental Cruz de Mayo is a community theatre production performed by local residents. More than 100 actors of all ages take part. The 2026 edition of El Paso de la Santa Cruz is documented as a multi-day outdoor performance featuring acting, live music and elaborate staging.

Another tradition in the annual calendar is dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Socorro, the patron saint of Palomas. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Socorro was built in 1515. The patron saint’s festival is celebrated in mid-September, with the feast day on 17 September. The celebrations include a mass and a procession with the statue of the Virgin Mary. May and September therefore offer different opportunities to plan your stay around the festival traditions.

Puente Medieval and local history

The Puente Medieval crosses the Río Palomillas. Its eleven round arches date from the 15th or 16th century. The bridge is also significant to the history of the settlement: its construction may have prompted the original settlement of Palomas. This remains a possibility, not a confirmed account of the town’s origins.

Since its restoration in 2002, vehicles more than 1.20 metres wide have been prohibited from crossing the Puente Medieval. If you’re travelling by car, check local restrictions before setting off. The width limit is a specific point to consider when planning your route.

Las Poyatas and literary connections

Las Poyatas, also known as Casa Grande, is a cortijo-palace in the municipality of Palomas. The eclectic building is predominantly Neo-Medieval in style. Felipe Trigo sets the story of his novel El médico rural in Las Poyatas, giving the building a literary connection as well. The architecture and the novel offer two different perspectives on the building: its design and its role as a setting.

Las Poyatas was originally designed as a leisure palace. During Spain’s post-war period, it was donated to the Patronato Antituberculoso; a sanatorium was subsequently established there. This sequence adds the building’s changing history of use to its architectural and literary context.

Route along the Río Palomillas

The PR-BA 153 LIC Rio Palomillas is 11.8 kilometres long and follows a linear out-and-back route. It starts in Palomas and crosses the Río Palomillas at a ford. This lets you include the Río Palomillas as part of your walk.

Conditions at the ford can vary depending on the season. Check them locally before setting out, and also ask about the current trail markings.

Discover more destinations: Fregenal De La Sierra, Campanario, Mérida, Esparragosa De Lares, Corte De Peleas, La Garrovilla, Valdelacalzada, Calamonte

For the main travel overview: Badajoz.