The best things to see and do in Fregenal de la Sierra (Badajoz) in 1 day

Two perhaps are the aspects that stand out the most about the southwestern area of ​​the badajoz province, the beautiful landscapes of the Extremadura meadow and, of course, the gastronomy of Iberian ham.

But in these lands of southern Extremadura There are also towns that preserve important vestiges of history.

One of them is Fregenal of the Sierra, which I have had the opportunity to visit recently, and where I have discovered one of the most curious castles I have ever seen.

Fregenal is included in the Route of the White Villages of Extremadura, and also in the Iberian Ham Route Dehesa de Extremadura, logical in these lands that mainly live off the breeding of the Iberian pig.

What to see and do in Fregenal de la Sierra

Below I detail which are the Most interesting places to see in Fregenal de la Sierra, and what can you do during your visit.

Templar castle of Fregenal de la Sierra

I'll situate you: you are in the main square of the town, which is not called a square but Constitution walk, and the main building, with a huge white façade, is actually the exterior of the castle.

This is the church of Santa Maria, which shares a wall with a castle that from the outside you only recognize when you see some of the towers, especially the one on the Homenaje.

But in reality you are looking at a fortification that dates back to the time of the Reconquestwhen the King Alfonso was legally granted to the Order of the Temple in 1283.

Soon, around 1308, it was recovered by the king who gave it to the order of maltese.

And after a period of abandonment that began in the 16th century, its curious remodeling came at the end of the 18th century.

It was in 1781 when, in the interior space of what was Fregenal Templar Castle was built…one bullring, which you can now see, and in which bullfighting shows continue to be held.

In 1914, in another space that was free inside the fortification, the market known as Plaza de Abastos, for which part of a wall was demolished, and where commercial activity takes place every Tuesday and Friday morning.

Palatial houses in Fregenal de la Sierra

On your walk through this beautiful white town of Fregenal, which with the north of the province of Huelva, you will find other numerous vestiges of its history, and the splendor it achieved during the 16th century.

These are several manor houses which, along with churches and convents, were built at that time.

In fact, in the Fregenal de la Sierra tourist office They provide you with a brochure with a Route of the ancestral houses, which are concentrated in the northwest part of the town.

Thus, you will be able to see the Palace of the Marchioness of Ferrara, which had its own mill inside.

Or the family home Sanchez Arjona, historically one of the most prosperous in the town, from the 18th century.

And the façade of the house will also catch your attention. House of the Marquis of Riocabado, from the 30th century, with its surprising XNUMX-meter-long continuous balcony.

Another notable corner in Fregenal of the Sierra is the source known as the fontanilla, from the 16th century, with its royal shield in the center.

Church of Santa Ana in Fregenal de la Sierra

From an artistic point of view, I advise you to go inside the church of Santa Ana, where you will see its imposing main altarpiece from the 16th century.

To the right of the altarpiece is the Bravo Murillo Chapel, where this 16th century politician, one of the illustrious people born in Fregenal, is buried.

In this regard you may not know that in Fregenal was done first remote phone call in Spain.

It was Rodrigo Sánchez Arjona who in 1880, after installing a cable to use the new invention, called by telephone from Fregenal to Seville, and later, to Cádiz.

Convent of San Francisco in Fregenal de la Sierra

During your walk you should also approach the building of the Convent of San Francisco, from 1563, recently restored, and which houses various cultural entities.

Also noteworthy in Fregenal your typical Festival of the Dancers, which is celebrated every September 8 on the occasion of the Virgin of Health, and of which I had the opportunity to see a sample.

What to eat and where in Fregenal de la Sierra

Finally, from a gastronomic point of view, I am going to give you the advice that during your visit do not forget to taste at the Bar Nito, Together with the tourist office, typical local cuisine based on pork products.

In addition to the Iberian ham option, order their most popular dish, the camper.

And if you are passionate about cheese, be sure to try the type sweatyFor my taste, a delight with a very special flavor.