Jerez de los Caballeros: History, Dehesa and Festivals

Jerez de los Caballeros combines a historic centre classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural with a 1.5-kilometre-long walled enclosure that preserves several gates. It includes a 13th-century Templar castle that was remodelled in the 16th century. Culture, landscapes and traditional events are all closely connected in this one town.

Culture

The Church of San Bartolomé is a Baroque church with a very tall tower covered in blue tiles. It also houses a carved wooden high altar and the baptismal font of Vasco Núñez de Balboa. The Church of San Miguel Arcángel features altarpieces, frescoes and a dome inside.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa is also associated with the Casa Vasco Núñez de Balboa. It has been set up as a museum and interpretation centre in his adapted birthplace. The museum displays a replica of Vasco Núñez de Balboa’s baptismal font, objects from the 16th century and content about his journey to Panama. The Casa is located on the Ruta de los Descubridores, which runs through Extremadura from Trujillo to Plasencia.

Landscape

Jerez de los Caballeros is located in the typical Extremaduran dehesa. Various hiking routes run through the surrounding fields and are suitable for nature-based sports. The town is surrounded by dehesas with excellent grazing areas that support the local livestock farming.

The Roman villa of El Pomar also adds a much older era to the historical picture: it dates from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and was remodelled in the 5th and 6th centuries. Different themes, such as fortified history, sacred architecture, archaeology and routes through the dehesa, can be given weight side by side when planning a trip.

Festivals and Cuisine

Roman-themed days called “Domus Ivlia” take place in Jerez de los Caballeros. The programme includes lectures, workshops, music and historical re-enactments. The four-day Templario Festival brings medieval life under the rule of the Knights Templar back to life in the streets and markets, with soldiers, clergy, troubadours and musicians.

A Semana de Pasión has been recognised as a festival of national tourist interest. The traditional Bollo turco is part of the culinary offering. Jerez de los Caballeros also hosts a ham fair among remains from the Templar era.

Holiday apartment

When comparing holiday apartments in Jerez de los Caballeros, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can help organise the visible offer details. The town’s thematic range extends from churches and Templar history to dehesa, museums, festivals and regional cuisine.

Other places

The same higher-level area also includes Calamonte, Valencia De Las Torres, Esparragosa De Lares, Don Alvaro, Herrera Del Duque, Santa Marta, Los Santos De Maimona and Mengabril.

For the higher-level travel overview: Badajoz.