Los Santos de Maimona

There are traces of settlement at Los Santos de Maimona dating back to the Copper Age. It is located between the San Jorge, San Cristóbal and Cabrera mountain ranges, in an area of rolling hills. It is on the Vía de la Plata (Silver Route) from Mérida to Seville and its historic quarter is a reminder of the Berber presence in the area; this is built around the heights of Cabezo, from which its streets are organised and laid out. The town's past is also reflected in the numerous windmills and waterwheels you will see if you stroll around the farmland surrounding the town.

Los Santos de Maimona was at its most prosperous in the 16th century, with most of its major buildings dating from this period. These include the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles parish church, the altar of which features a painting of "The Flight into Egypt" attributed to Francisco de Zurbarán. Another important work in the church is Berruguete's Jesus the Nazarene.

The Palacio de la Encomienda is an important destination for your tour, as it is the best preserved example of the traditional architecture of the Order of Santiago in Spain. 

We know there were many chapels in Los Santos de Maimona because many saints were venerated, hence the town's name. Some of these chapels that you can still visit include those of San Lorenzo, San Isidro and, on the outskirts of town, en route to Badajoz, Nuestra Señora de la Estrella. 

The most traditional fiestas in Los Santos de Maimona include Quasimodo Sunday (the first Sunday after Resurrection Sunday), at which a local speciality — the "hornazo"— is eaten, the grape harvest festival and the fiesta of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella.

If you enjoy crafts, you will be delighted by the local artisan lace and embroidery work, made by machine and by hand. And if food is your thing, we recommend you try the local stews — chanfaina, “fatigas” and "caldereta"— and the wild mushrooms, the “tostás guisás” soup, "pipirigaña", "migas" breadcrumbs and the famous "cantina" salt cod. 

The area also produces excellent olive oils and olives, whilst its drinks include the traditional “gloria”, made from grape must, and D. O. wines. Ribera del Guadiana. 

Home-made cakes are also traditional, with some of the delights including "perrunillas", "roscas fritas", "gañotes", "prestines" and the traditional Easter "hornazos" and "pastelón de hojaldre", which is famous throughout the region.