In Montijo, buildings from different centuries stand alongside Roman traces, religious festivals and routes through the surrounding area. This raises a practical question as you plan your trip: would you mainly like to explore architecture and art, combine your visit with a festival, or spend time outdoors? The different themes offer various pointers to help you choose when to travel and what to focus on.
Churches, art and architectural history
The history of the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol spans from the late 15th century to the mid-16th century: construction began in the late 15th century, and the central nave later received a Gothic vault. The three-part main altarpiece depicts apostles, evangelists and Doctors of the Church. It therefore highlights both the development of church architecture and a specific iconographic program.
The Convento de Santa Clara was completed in 1691 and became a Poor Clare convent under the patronage of Nuestro Señor del Pasmo in 1704. Its preserved works of art include a crucifix by Juan de Juni and a work by Luis de Morales depicting Christ carrying the cross. The Casa del Navegante also combines different architectural influences: its mid-19th-century façade is Neoclassical with Baroque influences. The building is one of Montijo’s larger civic structures.
The Ermita de Jesús Nazareno offers another link to the past. It was founded in the late 17th or early 18th century, and a hospital for poor people and travelers was attached to the chapel. Inside, Baroque works of art and polychrome tiles from Triana workshops dating to the 18th century adorn the steps of the presbytery. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Barbaño, in turn, was built by the Order of Santiago between the 13th and 15th centuries and is located near the Guadiana.
Roman traces and visitor route
The Villa Romana de Torreáguila is located near the village of Barbaño, within the municipality of Montijo. It was in use from the 1st to the 8th century AD. The complex includes a central peristyle courtyard with grand rooms and baths, as well as an agricultural area with presses, cisterns and storage rooms. The different parts of the complex offer insights into the settlement’s various functions.
The visitor route has interpretive signage, gently sloping ramps and viewing platforms to improve physical and cognitive accessibility. The regional government documented the work in 2024. If these features are important to your plans, check the route’s current condition before visiting.
Festivals with set dates
The Romería de San Blas is celebrated on February 3 on Cerro de San Gregorio, next to the chapel of the same name. Families traditionally sample products from the most recent home slaughter. The Velá de San Antonio takes place on the night of June 12, the eve of the feast of Saint Anthony. Both dates give your plans a specific seasonal focus, but differ in occasion and custom.
During Semana Santa, you can experience processions, including the Encuentro on Easter Sunday in Plaza de España. Two other dates are central to the Traída y Despedida de la Virgen de Barbaño: August 28 and the first Sunday in October. The statue of the Virgin is brought from the pilgrimage church in Barbaño to Montijo and later returned there. These festivals are recurring traditions; the exact program may change. If you are planning your trip around a particular event, check the dates and program for the year you wish to visit.
Routes and landscapes
The Ruta de los Arenales begins in Montijo along a drovers’ road that formed part of a branch of the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental and, in turn, the network of transhumance routes. Here, a route connects with the history of livestock farming. The Laguna de las Encantás route leads to further tangible traces: it includes La Puentecilla, a small medieval bridge, and the remains of brick and roof-tile kilns in the Dehesa El Encinar.
Nature and fishing enthusiasts also have specific points of interest. The Aula de la Naturaleza on the Finca Municipal Las Cabezas includes traditional huts, a rustic house, a viewpoint and a pond. The Embalse de los Canchales is considered a regular fishing spot; local fishing regulations may apply. This gives you a choice of different trip themes: historic buildings, archaeological and pastoral traces, or nature and fishing.
Practical visit planning
The building that houses the Colección Museográfica Comunidad de Labradores Antonia Gómez Quintana and the tourist office contains collections of taxidermied animals, botanical objects, minerals and electrical devices. Check the opening arrangements separately before planning a visit. The set festival dates can help you choose when to travel; for a visit to the collections or the visitor route, check the current conditions for each. This will help you tailor your stay to the aspects of Montijo that interest you most.
Discover more destinations: Jerez De Los Caballeros, El Raposo, Puebla De La Calzada, Campanario, Magacela, La Rabaza, Medina de las Torres, Solana De Los Barros
See the broader travel guide: Badajoz.
