Puebla de Alcocer: Castle Culture, Festivals and Birdwatching

The Castillo de Puebla de Alcocer was built in the 12th and 13th centuries; in the 15th century, it was remodelled by Gutierre de Sotomayor, Master of the Order of Alcántara.

When looking for a holiday rental in Puebla de Alcocer, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies among the available offers. Depending on your travel plans, these details can be weighted differently, while exploring the town itself can focus on castle history, festivals, circular trails or birdwatching.

Culture

The Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago Apóstol is a Romanesque-Mudéjar church from the 11th and 12th centuries; its frescoes date from the 13th century and later periods.

The Museo del Gigante Extremeño is housed in the Casa de la Cultura de Puebla de Alcocer. It has three rooms: two exhibition rooms and an audiovisual room. On display are large circus posters, almost four metres high, a replica of Agustín’s walking stick and a pair of boots that King Alfonso XII gave to Agustín. An appointment must be made to visit the museum.

The Museo Etnográfico is housed in the former cellars of the Convento de San Francisco. It displays historical and archaeological material as well as an ethnographic exhibition about the municipality of Puebla de Alcocer.

San Isidro is celebrated as a local festival in Puebla de Alcocer on 15 May; the day begins with a procession from the Convento de San Francisco to the Ermita de la Laguna. Las Luminarias de San Sebastián is celebrated on the evening of 19 January in honour of Saint Sebastian; large fires are lit in every neighbourhood of Puebla de Alcocer.

The Mercado Medieval takes place every year by the walls of the Castillo de Puebla de Alcocer. For Corpus Christi, children and adults decorate the streets with flower carpets as well as carpets made of sawdust or salt. During the Noches del Castillo, cultural performances take place in the courtyard of the Castillo de Puebla de Alcocer.

The iron gate at the Fuente de Oñamira bears the year 1903.

Getting Around

The Castillo de Puebla de Alcocer can be visited on foot. The Ruta del castillo de Puebla de Alcocer is an approximately 1.5 km circular trail along the historic ascent from the town to the Castillo de Puebla de Alcocer. The Subida al punto Mira is an approximately 3.8 km circular trail of moderate difficulty leading to the “Rachado” geodetic point.

The different trail lengths and the stated difficulty level allow for a direct comparison of the two circular trails. From the Castillo de Puebla de Alcocer, there is a view of the Embalse de la Serena.

More town pages: Cheles, Feria, Pallares, Nogales, Torremejía, Azuaga, La Parra and Casas de Don Pedro.

Nature

Puebla de Alcocer is located within the “Embalse de Orellana y Puerto Peña” birdwatching route as well as within the “La Serena y Sierra de Tiros” birdwatching route.

For the overarching travel overview: Badajoz.