The distinctive chimneys of its vernacular architecture have earned Navas Del Madroño the nickname “Pueblo de las Chimeneas” (Village of the Chimneys). Those looking for a hotel in Navas Del Madroño can assess the destination by its distinctive architectural and cultural character: alongside its architecture, there is an exhibition about the Misiones Pedagógicas, church art, and festival traditions. This allows you to tailor your trip to your interests without reducing the town’s character to a single theme.
Architecture, History, and Church Art
The Centro de Interpretación Escuelas Viajeras presents local history and the cultural, educational, and historical significance of the Misiones Pedagógicas during the Second Spanish Republic. Known as the Escuelas Viajeras, they were active from 1931 to 1936. The exhibition traces the story from the Second Republic through the dictatorship to the disappearance of this educational and cultural project. Alongside local history, it thus highlights a broader history of education in Spain.
The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la O was rebuilt between 1737 and 1740 by Alonso González and Teodosio Magallanes. Its Baroque main altarpiece was carved in 1754 by Juan Grande de Vegas of Garrovillas. The image of the Virgin also offers a distinctive feature: it depicts her pregnant, with the child visible in her womb, and is one of the few Marian images to portray her this way.
The 17th-century Casa Consistorial offers a different architectural style. Its wide portico has eight semicircular granite arches. Local history also includes the Fuente de la Nacivera, one of the town’s most popular springs. Its outlet feeds a granite basin, from which the water flows to the washhouse. Details about the church, town hall, and spring range from sculpture and religious art to architectural forms and water systems.
The Ermita de Santo Domingo de Guzmán lies about seven kilometers from the town center in the Sierra de Santo Domingo. The building dates from the 16th century and is made of masonry and rubble stone. Its approximate distance and location in the sierra distinguish this historical landmark from the buildings described in the town itself.
Landscape and Nature
El Barrial is a noteworthy landscape close to Navas Del Madroño, at an elevation of 518 meters above sea level. Archaeological remains from a long period have been found there, spanning the Neolithic to the Early Middle Ages. Its landscape and archaeological history thus offer a different perspective on the past than the exhibition or church art.
Because of its difficult access, the Rivera de Araya is a refuge for threatened species such as the black stork. The Embalse de Vegas Altas, in turn, is a wetland designated as a ZEPA (Special Protection Area for Birds), where aquatic fauna of international importance is concentrated according to the Ramsar criteria. The two descriptions have different emphases: the Rivera is a refuge for a threatened bird species, while the reservoir is notable for its protected status and the importance of its aquatic fauna.
Festivals and Food Throughout the Year
Las Candelas is celebrated on February 2 with religious ceremonies and traditional dances. The program includes “El Cordón,” in which the dancers wear traditional dress. The Romería de Santo Domingo de Guzmán takes place on Easter Sunday: in addition to the pilgrimage to the hermitage, a traditional horse race is held in the town’s streets. Both occasions combine religious tradition with different public festivities.
The Feria Agroalimentaria de la Morcilla Ventera takes place around the first half of May. Tastings, live cooking, and food sampling focus on Morcilla Ventera, considered a standout product of local cuisine. As the fair is seasonal and the timing is only approximate, it is advisable to check the exact dates before your trip.
In early October, the Jornadas de la Trashumancia feature food-related activities as well as activities, routes, and workshops connected with pastoralism. The annual calendar thus includes religious festivals, a food fair, and a program focused on pastoralism at different times of year. If you plan to time your trip around an event, check the exact dates of these Jornadas before departure as well.
Discover more destinations: Cabañas Del Castillo, Madrigal De La Vera, Tejeda De Tiétar, Santiago De Alcántara, Zarza La Mayor, Valdelacasa de Tajo, Herreruela, San Martín De Trevejo.
For the broader travel overview: Cáceres.
