Destinations
Los Santos de Maimona
This town is liberally dotted with chapels, giving rise to one theory about the origins of its name.
- Explore
- Los Santos de Maimona
16th-century splendour
Location and Contact:
- Contact person: Los Santos de Maimona Town Council
- Tel.:924 544 368
- Fax: 924 571 015
- Email: info@lossantosdemaimona.org
- Website address: lossantosdemaimona.com/
-
This town is liberally dotted with chapels, giving rise to one theory about the origins of its name.
There are traces of settlement at Los Santos de Maimona dating back to the Copper Age. It is located between the San Jorge, San Cristóbal and Cabrera mountain ranges, in an area of rolling hills. It is on the Vía de la Plata (Silver Route) from Mérida to Seville and its historic quarter is a reminder of the Berber presence in the area; this is built around the heights of Cabezo, from which its streets are organised and laid out. The town's past is also reflected in the numerous windmills and waterwheels you will see if you stroll around the farmland surrounding the town.
Los Santos de Maimona was at its most prosperous in the 16th century, with most of its major buildings dating from this period. These include the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles parish church, the altar of which features a painting of "The Flight into Egypt" attributed to Francisco de Zurbarán. Another important work in the church is Berruguete's Jesus the Nazarene.
The Palacio de la Encomienda is an important destination for your tour, as it is the best preserved example of the traditional architecture of the Order of Santiago in Spain.
We know there were many chapels in Los Santos de Maimona because many saints were venerated, hence the town's name. Some of these chapels that you can still visit include those of San Lorenzo, San Isidro and, on the outskirts of town, en route to Badajoz, Nuestra Señora de la Estrella.
The most traditional fiestas in Los Santos de Maimona include Quasimodo Sunday (the first Sunday after Resurrection Sunday), at which a local speciality — the "hornazo"— is eaten, the grape harvest festival and the fiesta of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella.
If you enjoy crafts, you will be delighted by the local artisan lace and embroidery work, made by machine and by hand. And if food is your thing, we recommend you try the local stews — chanfaina, “fatigas” and "caldereta"— and the wild mushrooms, the “tostás guisás” soup, "pipirigaña", "migas" breadcrumbs and the famous "cantina" salt cod.
The area also produces excellent olive oils and olives, whilst its drinks include the traditional “gloria”, made from grape must, and D. O. wines. Ribera del Guadiana.
Home-made cakes are also traditional, with some of the delights including "perrunillas", "roscas fritas", "gañotes", "prestines" and the traditional Easter "hornazos" and "pastelón de hojaldre", which is famous throughout the region.
-
Type:
- Locality
Theme:
- Destinations
Target audience:
- Families
- Young people
- Single people
- Senior citizens
- Children
- Couples
- Single people
Gallery:
More suggestions
-
Zafra — stately and market-like
Situated in the south of Extremadura, Zafra is a charming town, and one buzzing with life thanks to the hospitality of its inhabitants, known in Spanish as "Segedanos".
-
Feria
Declared a Site of Historic and Artistic Interest.
-
Right in the Dehesa: San Gregorio Baths, Fuentes del Trampal and El Raposo
The medicinal waters that spring in the Extremadura dehesa and the natural mud from its streams will give you back the strength to go on
-
Museum of Santa Clara
-
Puebla de Sancho Pérez
Puebla's El Raposo spa is an ideal place to relax in the countryside
-
Zafra — stately and market-like
Situated in the south of Extremadura, Zafra is a charming town, and one buzzing with life thanks to the hospitality of its inhabitants, known in Spanish as "Segedanos".
-
Alcázar de los Duques de Feria
This majestic building is a fusion between a gothic palace and a castle and was once home to the Duke of Feria.
-
Puebla de Sancho Pérez Bullring
Holding bullfighting festivals since the 14th century.
-
Zafra Bullring
This bullring with a capacity for 5,000 spectators is located in a town with a great bullfighting tradition.
-
El Capricho de Cotrina
One of the most curious constructions in Spain and reminiscent of Gaudí.
-
Colonias de Cernícalo Primilla de Zafra Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds
The area attracts kestrels throughout the year, especially in the breeding season.
-
Extremadura Historic Sites Interpretation Centre
Take a walk round the twenty nine historic sites, which are examples of the region's rich history and cultural heritage.
-
El Raposo Spa
Situated in a pleasant natural spot, its waters have many curative properties.