Higuera La Real is part of the Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos de Extremadura. Two distinct themes stand out for planning a trip: the Iron Age archaeological site and church art on the one hand, and trails through the Dehesa landscape on the other. If you want to organise your interests, the specific architectural features and different trail routes can help you find your bearings.
Castrejón de Capote: Celtic settlement and landscape
Castrejón de Capote is a Celtic settlement from the Iron Age and the only preserved and museum-displayed Celtic archaeological site in the province of Badajoz. The site is open to visitors; an itinerary with information panels explains the various points of interest. This allows you to plan your visit around the individual stops on the route. Check the visiting arrangements before your trip, before making firm plans to visit.
Castrejón de Capote lies at the confluence of the Sillo and Álamo rivers, on the boundary of the Picos de Aroche and Sierra de Aracena Natural Park. This gives the archaeological theme a specific connection to the landscape: alongside the history of the settlement, the riverside location and the edge of the natural park also shape how the site can be understood.
Churches, architecture and art
The Iglesia de San Bartolomé is a 17th-century Jesuit church. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a single-nave layout and a monumental dome. These features offer a specific starting point for exploring the church’s architecture.
The former Jesuit cloister, dating from the Baroque period, lies directly beside the church. It was restored in 2005 and reopened as a cultural centre for residents and visitors. The cultural programme may vary. A visit here therefore offers a chance to consider both its architectural history and its cultural use.
The parish church of Santa Catalina Mártir dates from the 15th century and stands on the foundations of an earlier Gothic church from the 13th century. The church houses six panels by Luis de Morales, dating from 1565. The popular granite statue “Mamarrachá”, depicting a lioness, also stands in front of Santa Catalina.
The Ermita de Loreto retains its original square main chapel with a ribbed vault, as well as three portals. The chapel’s design and its portals provide a different architectural focus from the cross-shaped layout and dome of the Iglesia de San Bartolomé.
Dehesa trails with different routes
The Ruta de la Albuera starts at Plaza del Loreto and passes through a Dehesa landscape to a small albuera. The Ruta de la Pitera, by contrast, is a circular route: it starts and ends at Pilar de los Siete Caños and passes through a Dehesa with holm oaks and cork oaks.
The main difference to consider when choosing a route is this: the Ruta de la Albuera leads to a destination at the end of the trail, while the Ruta de la Pitera returns to the starting point. Both descriptions mention the Dehesa landscape; holm oaks and cork oaks are also specifically part of the Ruta de la Pitera. Check local conditions before setting out.
Iberian heritage and festival traditions
At the Centro de Interpretación del Cerdo Ibérico, visitors can learn more about the town’s history and ethnography, as well as the prestige and quality of Iberian ham and acorn-fed cured meats. The range of themes therefore goes beyond churches and archaeological history to include the local importance of these products.
The Nuestra Señora del Socorro festival is associated with 14 and 15 August and includes the traditional Baile de las Danzantas de la Virgen dance. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the programme for the scheduled dates locally.
Discover more destinations: Cabeza Del Buey, Castilblanco, La Garrovilla, Entrerríos, Don Benito, Montemolín, Los Santos De Maimona, Talarrubias
For the broader travel overview: Badajoz.
