Nogales combines medieval architectural history with a signposted 22.9-kilometre nature route. Castillo de Nogales is a 15th-century fortress on a small hill; the PR-BA 131 Presa de Nogales runs through the municipality and starts and ends in the castle square. This offers culture and landscape as distinct themes to consider when planning your trip. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Nogales, you can first weigh up whether church and castle architecture or river and wetland scenery should be the focus of your stay.
Church and fortress: architectural history in Nogales
Castillo de Nogales is a medieval fortress dating from the 15th century. Nearby stands the parish church of San Cristóbal, which was also originally built in the 15th century and later altered. Its construction uses rubble stone, brick and ashlar. Notable architectural features include the Proto-Gothic main portal and the semicircular ashlar apse.
The church furnishings can also be dated more precisely: the main altar was created between 1675 and 1683. Its architecture is attributed to Juan de Vargas; the paintings are by Tomás Rodríguez. These details distinguish the history of the church building from the altar’s later date, without attributing both works to the same person. The cemetery adjoins Castillo de Nogales and, with its distinctive features, forms an area of notable ethnographic and design interest. Together, the castle, church and cemetery offer different perspectives on the town’s architectural and cultural landscape.
Bridge and distinct periods
Another historic structure is the Nogales Bridge, which dates from the 16th century. It is made of rubble stone and brick and has six arches of different designs. Its cutwaters and abutments also vary in design. The bridge is in good condition and remains in use.
Compared with the 15th-century fortress and church, the bridge belongs to a later building phase. The main altar adds a more precise date from the late 17th century to this picture. Those interested in architectural history will find not just one historic structure in Nogales, but several distinct forms and periods: a fortress, a church building, a bridge and artistic furnishings.
River landscape and PR-BA 131
The Rivera de Nogales is designated an SCI, or Site of Community Importance. This protected status is linked to the wetland and the ecological value of the natural area. If you would like to take this designation into account more closely in your plans, check the latest nature conservation information.
The signposted PR-BA 131 Presa de Nogales nature route is a 22.9-kilometre circular trail. Its starting and ending point is in the castle square at Castillo de Nogales, where the Environmental Interpretation Centre is also located. The route leads to a wildlife observation point on the shore of the Nogales Reservoir and passes through the wetland.
The section along the Rivera de Nogales is home to fish and attracts a variety of birds that feed and roost there. The presence of wildlife may vary by season. The route therefore focuses not only on the trail itself, but also on the wetland, river section and wildlife. Before visiting, check the current trail conditions, waymarking and public access; access to the Environmental Interpretation Centre should also be confirmed locally.
Getting to the nature corridor
To reach the Corredor Ecofluvial Rivera de Nogales from Badajoz, take the Nacional 432 towards La Albuera (21 kilometres), continue on the N-435 towards Almendral (11.5 kilometres), then take the EX105 towards Torre de Miguel Sesmero–Nogales. Check current road conditions before setting off. This makes it possible to combine directions to the nature corridor with a considered choice between Nogales’s cultural attractions and the landscape focus of the PR-BA 131.
Discover more destinations
El Raposo, Navalvillar De Pela, Almendralejo, Villanueva De La Serena, Calera De León, Alange, Valdelacalzada, Valencia del Mombuey
For the broader travel overview: Badajoz.
