Zarza La Mayor: Festival Tradition, Fortress and Border Trails

In Zarza La Mayor, the local tradition of Domingo de los Tiros has been celebrated every Easter Sunday since the 18th century.

Culture and History

The Palacio de la Encomienda in Zarza la Mayor dates from the 14th century. The Iglesia de San Andrés in Zarza la Mayor dates from the 16th century; Pedro de Ybarra, Juan Bravo and Alonso Hernández Acosta were involved in its most recent reconstruction in the 17th century. Inside the Iglesia Parroquial de San Andrés, there are several Baroque altarpieces, including two 18th-century altarpieces on the Gospel side. The former Fábrica de la Seda now houses Zarza la Mayor Town Hall. The Fuente Conceja has been designated an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural) in the Monument category. Its design includes a large pointed arch and two semicircular arches on its sides.

Festival and Remembrance

Domingo de los Tiros has been awarded the distinction “Fiesta de Interés Turístico de Extremadura”. During the Reverencia, the images meet in the street and bow to one another up to three times while shotgun shots are fired.

Border History

Castillo de Peñafiel, also known as the former Muslim fortress of Racha-Rachel, has the earliest remains dating back to the 9th century. Among the visible remains of Castillo de Peñafiel is a fortification built in the 16th century with two defensive rings. The Ruta del Contrabando Transfronteriza is an easy 15 km out-and-back hike that leads from Zarza la Mayor Town Hall to Salvaterra do Extremo in neighbouring Portugal. It follows historic paths along which coffee was smuggled across the Spanish-Portuguese border.

Trails and Landscape

The Ruta del Montón de Trigo is an 8.8 km linear trail of low difficulty from Zarza la Mayor to the Erjas River. Its first section follows the Cañada Real de Gata through surroundings characterised by stone walls and pastureland. A metal footbridge provides access on the Ruta del Montón de Trigo to a viewpoint overlooking the Erjas River. The municipality of Zarza la Mayor is bordered by the Canchos de Ramiro landscape along the Alagón River. The different trail lengths, route types and destinations help with comparing the two routes. Zarza la Mayor is one of the Spanish municipalities included in the Tajo-Tejo International Biosphere Reserve. The Tajo-Tejo International visitor centre network includes the “La Encomienda de Peñafiel” Interpretation Centre in Zarza la Mayor.

When comparing holiday apartments in Zarza La Mayor, you can check the travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages.

More places to discover: Guijo De Santa Bárbara, Villamiel, Cabezabellosa, La Granja, Garciaz, Cadalso, Navalmoral de la Mata, Robledillo De Gata

To the overarching travel overview: Cáceres.