Almendralejo – Wine, Cava and Cultural Heritage in Extremadura

Almendralejo’s history began long before modern wine production: the prehistoric tomb of Huerta Montero is over 4,600 years old and was used in the 3rd millennium BC during the Copper Age as a communal tomb and place of worship. The site is aligned so that on the day of the winter solstice, sunlight illuminates the burial chamber as an offering to the deceased. The tomb is closed; the tourist office opens it by prior appointment, which must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Wine and Cava

The Museo de las Ciencias del Vino is housed in the former Alcoholera Extremeña, an alcohol factory dating from the mid-20th century, and preserves its original wine and alcohol containers as exhibition features. Permanent exhibitions explore the history of wine and its production processes, complemented by interactive areas for visitors. The museum also has a vineyard with various grape varieties grown in Extremadura, and visitors can sample a glass of wine. The Museo del Cava displays the first Cava bottles produced in 1982.

Bodegas Vía de la Plata produced the first bottle of Cava from Extremadura at its facilities and has been making Cava by hand using the traditional method since 1985. Visitors can learn about the bottle-by-bottle production process and take part in the “degüello” technique. The Plaza de Toros y su Bodega houses a wine cellar beneath its stands.

History and Sacred Art

The Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Piedad has three Baroque altarpieces from the 18th century, carved and gilded by Isidro Bayón of Fuentes del Maestre. The sanctuary is located in Parque de la Piedad. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Piedad is a religious building from the 16th century and is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural.

The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Purificación has frescoes from 1948 created by the Italian painters Giovanni Gritti, Ottavio Bernardi and Emilio Nembrini. The church was built in the 16th century on the foundations of a 15th-century hermitage.

The Palacio de Monsalud was built in 1752, in the mid-18th century. It is arranged around a central courtyard decorated with wrought iron and tilework from Talavera and Seville. The Colección Monsalud in the Convento de San Antonio contains around 80 pieces from the Roman, Visigothic and Arab periods.

The Teatro Carolina Coronado was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural in the Monument category in 1995. In 2004, it was restored for use as a theatre; its interior was reconstructed and brought closer to its original appearance. Visits must be arranged in advance through the tourist office. Visits to the Palacio de Monsalud in the afternoon and on Saturdays also require an appointment with the tourist office.

Other Places

Other destinations: La Roca De La Sierra, Cabeza La Vaca, Mérida, La Parra, Puebla De La Calzada, Ribera Del Fresno, Táliga and Puebla De Alcocer.

Nature within the City

Almendralejo has an urban bird protection area in the ZEPA category, associated with the conservation of the lesser kestrel. The ZEPA “Iglesia de la Purificación de Almendralejo” was designated in 2003.

Birding Almendralejo has an observation area with a viewing window through which the colony can be watched without disturbing breeding.

To the main travel overview: Badajoz.