WEEKEND EXCURSIONS

A DAY OUT IN THE “RAYA SUR” AND BADAJOZ

The “Raya Sur” or, in other words, the southern borderline with Portugal, lies to the south west part of Extremadura. It takes in the limits of the province of Badajoz where it meets the Portuguese region of Alentejo. It also limits onto Tierra de Barros and the Sierra Sur mountain range.

                                              Plaza Alta in Badajoz

AN ITINERARY FOR TOURISTS

We begin our itinerary in Oliva de la Fronter a a place which bears the marks of numerous cultures, some of which can still be seen in the vestibule of the majestic Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, situated in the highest part of the village. Each year in the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) the Passion of Christ is performed by local actors. It has been declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction.

Valencia de Mombuey is situated two kilometres away from the Portuguese province of Alentejo. Its most notable buildings include the Plaza Mayor (Main Square) and the Parish Church of La Concepción.

Villanueva del Fresno is surrounded by mountain ranges covered in oak groves, coal stacks and vast expansions given over to Iberian pig breeding. In the vicinity prehistoric and Roman remains have been discovered and there are even some dolmens and a medieval castle.

Cheles lies in the area where the Guadiana River creates a natural border between Extremadura and Alentejo. Here we can see the remains of what was the Palace home of the Condes de Vía Manuel. At the top of the village is the Parish Church of la Purísima Concepción and its exceptional interior of Portuguese marble.

Just a few kilometres separate “La Raya” from Alconchel, set amidst white houses and the impressive Castle of Miraflores, one of the most well known in all Extremadura. Set on the slopes of a small mountain range, just a few kilometres from Alconchel, we can visit the village of Táliga which belonged to Portugal until 1801. Its Parish Church, dedicated to the Assumption, bears witness to Portuguese elements present during its construction and is conspicuous amongst the white houses and the oak groves.

Driving through closed pastures we arrive at Olivenza which has alternated between one nation and the other. It preserves a highly interesting historic and artistic patrimony amongst which we should mention valuable examples of civic, military and ecclesiastical architecture designed in the most beautiful and refined Spanish and Portuguese fashions. The most noteworthy buildings are the Parish Church of Santa María del Castillo, the Church of La Magdalena, the Town Hall and the “González Santa” Municipal Ethnography Museum, one of the best in Extremadura.

A few kilometres from Olivenza we can visit the village of Valverde de Leganés. On the outskirts of the village, set in a magnificent natural zone, we can visit what was once the Franciscan Convent of Madre de Dios.

From here we can visit the capital, Badajoz, founded by the Arabs and which went on to gain great political and military importance after the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba as the Kingdom of Taifa. Its situation on the border with the Portuguese province of Alentejo obliged it to shelter behind its walls for centuries. Its Alcázar and its majestic walls have been declared a Historic and Artistic Monument. Inside the fortress there is the Palace of the Duques de la Roca, the current Provincial Archaeological Museum which contains excellent examples of artefacts from different eras. Nearby are the so called Plaza Alta and the Plaza de San José, with picturesque alleyways and arcades. The fortress like Cathedral contains an interesting Cathedral Museum with highly interesting panels. Laid out around the Cathedral we can visit artistically and historically interesting churches and convents as well as its educative Fine Arts Museum. We also recommend a visit to the Extremadura and Ibero-American Museum of Contemporary Art which contains magnificent avant-garde works. Its Carnival and magnificent Easter celebrations have been declared Festivities of Interest as Regional Extremadura Tourist Attractions.

GASTRONOMY

Cold cuts and Iberian ham in the southernmost villages of the itinerary and in Badajoz. Home baked and convent baked pastries in various villages along the itinerary and “técula mécula” a pastry of Portuguese origin in Olivenza. Scrambled eggs with green asparagus, gazpacho, bogue and “salmorejo” (a thicker type of cold soup). Game dishes. Extremadura “migas” (breadcrumbs). Lamb stews and roasts throughout the area.

HANDICRAFTS

Ceramics, gold and silver works, basket weaving and woodcrafts in Badajoz. Woodwork and cork.

FESTIVITIES

At Easter in Oliva de la Frontera local actors perform the Passion of Christ. This has been declared of interest as a Regional Tourist Attraction. Badajoz’s Carnival and magnificent Easter celebrations have been declared Festivities of Interest as Regional Extremadura Tourist Attractions. Carnival in Olivenza.

                                               Badajoz Carnival

NATURE AND COUNTRYSIDE

Pastures combine with mountain ranges and sweeping extensions of oak groves amongst which Iberian pigs graze freely. The Guadiana River accompanies us in a good part of the itinerary, carrying out the role of a natural “border” (“raya") between the Portuguese province of Alentejo and that of Badajoz in Extremadura. Hunters find a wide variety of specimens and there are numerous birds of prey which swoop past us as we drive along.