Santa Amalia: History, Festivals and Routes

Santa Amalia brings together a clearly defined founding story, a listed parish church, recurring festivals and routes along the Camino Mozárabe. These different aspects of the town can help guide you as you plan your stay and choose a hotel.

Local History and the Parish Church

Santa Amalia was founded in 1827 by one hundred settlers from Don Benito. The original town plan followed a regular grid, with eight streets radiating from a central square. The parish church stands in Plaza de España. In 2014, it was recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) in the Monumento category and is considered an example of Neoclassical and academic architecture. The town’s history thus brings together the planned layout of Santa Amalia and the church’s special heritage designation. If you are interested in architectural history, these two aspects offer a tangible starting point: the town’s early design and a single building in Plaza de España.

Festivals Throughout the Year

Holy Week in Santa Amalia includes the traditional procession El Encuentro y La Carrerita. The Festividad de San Isidro is held annually on May 15. A procession travels from the parish church to the hermitage, accompanied by horse riders, floats and decorated carts. The patron saint festival, La Velada, runs from July 9 to 11 and includes a procession in honor of the patron saint, nighttime open-air festivities and recreational and sporting activities. The patron saint celebrations are dated July 10, which falls within this period.

In August, the annual Fiestas del Emigrante honor families from Santa Amalia who had to leave their homeland in search of progress and prosperity. Carnival features costumes, groups singing coplas, parades and street parties. These traditions are spread across several seasons and take different forms: religious processions, commemorations and street events. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the specific dates and program, as individual events may vary. The Semana Cultural is also part of the town’s history: it began in 1980 and comprised seven consecutive days of recreational, cultural and sporting activities.

Local Cuisine

Ajilimoje is a typical dish from Santa Amalia. It is made with meat, liver, bacon and pig’s ear, and served with olives and hot chili peppers. Another culinary highlight is El Tomate en la Cocina, an annual national competition held in Santa Amalia for professional chefs and culinary students. These two examples represent different aspects of food culture: Ajilimoje is a local dish, while El Tomate en la Cocina is a competition for participants from the professional and culinary training sectors.

Routes, Rivers and Lagoons

The Camino Mozárabe enters Santa Amalia via Calle Madroñero and continues to Plaza de España. After leaving the town, the route reaches the Río Búrdalo after two kilometers and then follows the riverbank for about another two kilometers. On a stage heading toward Torrefresneda, Santa Amalia is also an alternative route. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Santa Amalia lies in the Vega del Guadiana between the banks of the Río Búrdalo and the Río Cagánchez, which are considered attractive to birdwatchers. The Charca de Santa Amalia consists of two large artificial lagoons, formerly known as the Laguna de los Hornos. The Charca is used for recreational fishing and managed by a local angling association. Paths, planted areas and wooden walkways make it possible to explore the wetland. As management arrangements and individual facilities may change, check the latest information before visiting.

Another route mentioned is the Camino Romano: this linear route is 155 kilometers long and divided into seven stages; Santa Amalia is one of the municipalities listed along it. These details distinguish the Camino Romano from the Camino Mozárabe and offer another perspective on the routes connected with the town.

Discover more destinations: Valdelacalzada, Oliva De Mérida, Feria, Badajoz, Nogales, Malpartida de la Serena, Campanario, Valencia De Las Torres.

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