Monterrubio de la Serena: Mozarabic Way, Olive Oil and Dehesa

Monterrubio de la Serena has a history of olive cultivation and olive oil production that stretches back 2,500 years to the Tartessian period, both in the municipality and throughout its comarca.

When comparing holiday apartments in Monterrubio de la Serena, you can check travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies side by side on the respective offer pages. The thematic selection ranges from the Mozarabic Way and landscapes to culture, festivals and olive oil.

Culture

The parish church of Nuestra Señora de Consolación is located in the oldest district of Monterrubio de la Serena. It is a Gothic building from the 16th century, with a square tower featuring corner ashlar stones and decorative gargoyles.

Outside the town lies the Ermita de Los Cuarenta Mártires de Sebaste, an 18th-century chapel. It was built out of gratitude after a locust plague that had devastated the adjacent fields was brought under control, while the fields of the municipality of Monterrubio de la Serena remained spared. Casa del Cordón, a Gothic example of the town's vernacular architecture, also stands on Plaza de España.

The Museo del Aceite provides an overview of olive oil production and its industry in Monterrubio de la Serena and the comarca. It covers the historical origins of olive cultivation, displays related archaeological objects and explains modern production and extraction techniques. Multilingual audio guides and videos in sign language are also part of the museum's offerings.

Routes and landscapes

The Camino Mozárabe de Santiago passes through Monterrubio de la Serena, connects Hinojosa del Duque and Castuera, and reaches the Extremadura region here as the first town on this route. The municipal pilgrims' hostel is used by pilgrims completing Stage 22 of the Camino Mozárabe de Santiago and has space for 14 people.

The section of the Camino Mozárabe de Santiago leading from Monterrubio de la Serena towards Campanario partly follows the GR-115. The section around the town has only a few uphill stretches; its landscape is characterised by holm-oak dehesas and olive groves. In the dehesa at the beginning of the stage from Monterrubio de la Serena, cranes (Grus grus) can be observed in winter as they migrate from northern Europe.

At the town exit towards Peraleda del Zaucejo lies La Fontanica, an emblematic site where a spring emerges from the rock. Peñón de la Fontanica is situated in a natural landscape surrounded by rockroses and eucalyptus trees and offers views of Monterrubio de la Serena. It can be reached via a total of 60 stone steps; the interconnected areas are used by walkers and hikers. Visitors can taste the spring water at La Fontanica or enjoy the surroundings.

The stream area at Ribera del Pilar has been preserved and is accessible as a riverside promenade for enjoying the landscape. Recinto de San Isidro lies outside the town centre, about three kilometres away, on a small plateau or hill, and is connected to the road towards Peraleda del Zaucejo.

Olive oil

The extra virgin olive oils protected by the Denominación de Origen Aceite Monterrubio consist of at least 90 percent olives of the Cornezuelo and Picual or Jabata varieties. Aceite Monterrubio is considered fruity, aromatic and almond-like; its flavour is somewhat bitter and pungent.

In the area around Cabeza del Buey and Monterrubio de la Serena, Atutiplan offers a 4x4 route through olive-growing areas. It includes, among other things, observing centuries-old olive trees and visiting olive mills. In Monterrubio de la Serena, visitors can also visit Cooperativa La Milagrosa, Cooperativa del Campo La Unidad and the Museo Tecnológico del Aceite.

Festivals

The Romería de San Isidro takes place every year on 15 May on the hill near the Ermita de San Isidro. The Feria y Fiestas in honour of Nuestra Señora de Consolación begins towards the end of August, coinciding with the last weekend of August, and usually lasts five days.

More destinations

Benquerencia De La Serena, Táliga, Zalamea De La Serena, Solana De Los Barros, Feria, Higuera De La Serena, Aceuchal, Fuenlabrada De Los Montes

For the higher-level travel overview: Badajoz.