Herguijuela: Wine, History and Landscape

In Herguijuela, the history of winegrowing and architecture meets striking landscapes. Local themes include traditional working methods, religious architecture and different ways to explore the surrounding area. The following places and routes offer practical points of reference when planning your trip around your personal interests.

Winegrowing and traditional working methods

The Centro de Interpretación Cultura del Vino Sierra de los Lagares opened in Herguijuela in December 2022. It is housed in a restored former mill. The history of winegrowing is also visible in the landscape beyond the centre: numerous buildings associated with growing grapes and making wine have been preserved in La Serrezuela.

The Molino de los Condes de la Calzada olive mill offers another glimpse into traditional work. Its conical millstone turned on a round stone base onto which olives were placed. An animal-powered gear mechanism set the mill in motion; large parts of the mostly wooden mechanism are visible inside the tower. At the Lavaderos del Camino, a large well recalls another former use: it supplied water to the washing basins and animal troughs. The Lavaderos are considered a place worth visiting; adjoining gardens, a stream and trees provide a starting point for a pleasant walk.

Churches and architectural history

The Church of San Bartolomé stands on Plaza de España and dates from the 16th century. Its main building was created by master builder Alonso Becerra, who came from Trujillo. A large granite arch from the former church is also built into the parish church of San Bartolomé. A small church stood there by the 14th century at the latest; the arch may have formed part of its earlier supporting ribs.

The Capilla de la Marquesa de Aliseda also has a distinctive architectural feature: its interior is tall and rectangular, with up to three cross vaults. The ribs are adorned with decorative bosses. The different architectural forms give visitors more than one historic landmark to explore. Herguijuela has traditionally been divided into three districts: Barrio de Arriba, La Iglesia and Barrio de Abajo. Another historic building in the area is the Pozo del Caño.

Landscape and routes

La Serrezuela forms the southern side of the Sierra de los Lagares. Because of the mountain’s shape, its shaded slope naturally stays cool. A mountainous landscape associated with the Sierra de Pedro Gómez defines the area northeast of Herguijuela; this mountain range is notable for its wealth of birdlife. The Ruta de las Grullas birdwatching route passes through Herguijuela.

The PR-CC 229 Mirador de la Serrezuela route offers a different option. It runs along a concrete road, a track and a path, and can be cycled. The information about these routes caters to different interests: for the PR-CC 229, the described surfaces and its suitability for cycling are relevant, while the Ruta de las Grullas is focused on birdwatching. This makes it possible to distinguish the routes by their respective focus without conflating their surfaces or purposes.

Festivals and traditions

A tradition of celebrating La Candelaria dates back to 1700. On 24 August, Herguijuela celebrates the patron saint festivities in honour of Saint Bartholomew. A pilgrimage also takes place on Easter Monday. These dates give the town’s religious traditions a place in the annual calendar. The traditional “matanza” is also considered a particularly notable folk tradition.

Discover more destinations: Zarza De Granadilla, Marchagaz, Torremenga, Casar De Palomero, Calzadilla, Garganta La Olla, Villar De Plasencia, Cadalso

For the broader travel overview: Cáceres.