Stork nests on the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol and a dolmen that is almost constantly underwater represent two different sides of El Gordo. The town is also home to a church with several historic building phases, the ZEPA Embalse de Valdecañas and a hiking route between El Gordo and Berrocalejo. When choosing accommodation, you can decide whether cultural heritage, storks or hiking will shape your stay.
The Village of Storks
El Gordo is nicknamed the “Village of Storks” because it is home to a large colony of white storks. Numerous nests are on the roof of the Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol, with others on buildings elsewhere in El Gordo. The storks are therefore associated not just with a single structure but are part of the townscape in several places. The church is also a cultural and historical highlight in its own right: wildlife and architectural history come together here, but remain two distinct subjects.
The Building History of the Iglesia de San Pedro ApĂłstol
The dating evidence for the Iglesia de San Pedro ApĂłstol relates to different parts of the building and varies in certainty. The nave and part of the bell tower were probably built in the late 15th century. An inscription bears the year 1596 and probably refers to the construction of the chancel. The date should therefore not be taken as a single construction date for the entire church.
The chancel is octagonal and covered by a Gothic star vault. In this type of vault, the ribs form a star-like pattern over the space. The Baroque high altar adds a niche featuring a depiction of Saint Peter. The church thus brings together different styles and building phases: the probably late-medieval nave and part of the tower, the Gothic chancel and the Baroque altar.
The Dolmen de Guadalperal at the Reservoir
The Dolmen de Guadalperal lies in the Embalse de Valdecañas and is almost permanently underwater. It emerges only during prolonged droughts or when water is released from the reservoir. If seeing the dolmen is the main purpose of your trip, take these conditions into account when planning; it only becomes visible in such circumstances.
Its significance is also clearly defined beyond its unusual setting: since 10 May 2022, the dolmen has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of archaeological zone. It is one of the most remarkable examples of megalithism in the middle Tajo basin and is also considered an early example of restoration at an archaeological site.
Protected Area and Hiking Route
El Gordo lies within the ZEPA Embalse de Valdecañas. This protected-area designation is separate from the dolmen’s archaeological significance and represents another aspect of the landscape around the reservoir. The Chaparral route is a named hiking option; it runs between El Gordo and Berrocalejo. Its route offers a specific hiking option for trip planning, distinct from the architectural and archaeological attractions.
Getting There from Madrid
If you are travelling from Madrid via the A-5 motorway, El Gordo is the first town you reach in Extremadura. Once there, you can choose between different interests: the stork nests and church architecture, the dolmen’s unusual location underwater or the hiking route between two towns.
Discover more destinations: Navaconcejo, Cuacos De Yuste, Coria, Casar De Palomero, La Granja, Navalmoral de la Mata, Herrera De Alcántara, Logrosán.
For the main travel overview: Cáceres.
