What to see and do in Jerez de los Caballeros (Badajoz) in 1 day

Al southern Extremadura, in the province of Badajoz, and very close to the border with Portugal, is one of those villas where it is worth stopping.

Jerez de los Caballeros It is a town with Roman and Muslim traces, a Templar past, and all of this, in the land of one of the best acorn-fed Iberian hams in the world.

Estremadura it's a zone of Spain that we know in depth, there are many trips that we have made throughout the territory.

But we have to admit that we had a thorn in our side that we have finally been able to get rid of, and that is that due to various circumstances, we had not had the opportunity to visit Jerez de los Caballeros.

But taking advantage of the prestigious Jerez de los Caballeros Iberian Ham Hall, this time yes, we have been able to discover a city with a very interesting past and present.

The best things to see and do in Jerez de los Caballeros

Jerez de Los Caballeros It is one of those towns with a long history, where a multitude of different cultures and societies have passed through.

Each one has left their mark, allowing you to explore the city through the legacy of their ancestors.

This city of almost 10.000 inhabitants is one of the largest municipalities in Spain with prehistoric remains, palaces, churches, gastronomy... the variety of options is enormous.

That is why we are going to review the most interesting places to see and things to do when you visit Jerez de los Caballeros and the districts that make it up.

Toriñuelo Farm Dolmen

With our first stop we already made it clear that Jerez de los Caballeros It is not a new city, but there were already settlements in this territory thousands of years ago.

Due to the strategic location of natural passage of the Cañada de Salvaleón but also Monteporrino, this area was already inhabited in ancient times at the end of prehistory.

In fact, it is one of the areas in Europe with the most megalithic remains found, and from that time you can visit the Toriñuelo Farm Dolmen.

This funerary structure located on the outskirts of Jerez de los Caballeros It is made up of a 25 meter corridor.

It is an enhancement of the remains found, since many of the original stones were used in later centuries for buildings in the city.

Roman remains of Jerez de los Caballeros

Estremadura It is one of the areas of Spain where the Roman influence is most notable; you just have to see the impressive Roman remains of Mérida.

And although Jerez de los Caballeros It did not have a development of that size, it is possible to see the traces of its past with what was the Roman population of Serious Fame Lulia.

The most notable remains of that population are found at the foot of the city, and we are referring to the Suburban Domus of “El Pomar”, from the 3rd and 4th century AD

But they are not the only ones, since you can also visit their two roman bridges, the Pontoon, to whom a bomb fell on Civil War, and the Roman bridge of La Bazana which is in a perfect state of conservation.

Muslim citadel in Jerez de los Caballeros

En muslim era a Jerez de los Caballeros she was known as Xerisa.

At that historical moment is when the construction of the Alcazaba that crowned the city.

In fact, there are data that affirm that the Muslim city became as important as those that existed in Badajoz o Mérida.

Probably the importance of Muslim city of Xerisa was the one that made the Templars They will focus so much on the later fortification of Jerez.

Fortress of the Templar Order in Jerez de los Caballeros

If we looked in history for the moment of greatest splendor of Jerez de los Caballeros, there would not be many hesitation in highlighting the Templar era and its later years.

In 1230 the city was reconquered by Alfonso IX of León and went the Templars which they built the fortress and the wall on the layout of the old citadel.

From this moment is when the true development of the city begins with the construction of many of the churches, civil buildings and palaces that we see today.

The walled enclosure is made up of several towers, the tower of tribute, Clock Tower, With the Coal and of the weathervane.

Templar Festival in Jerez de los Caballeros

The greatest example of the Templar importance of Jerez is its Templar Festival.

In the month of July, those battles are staged in which the knights of the Order of the Temple They helped in the reconquest of the town of Jerez.

Is one of the historical reenactments most important in the country, and one of the most beautiful times to visit the city.

Jerez de los Caballeros, the city of towers

When you arrive to Jerez de los Caballeros, you quickly realize why it is known as the city of towers.

This historic city is located at the top of a hillside, and as you approach by car, you can clearly see its five towers that stand out above the rest.

Although it must be clarified that in the old town there are four, since the fifth is located outside the perimeter of the wall, and was built later.

The towers are the culmination of the baroque church decorations who concentrate on Jerez de los Caballeros, as are the churches of San Miguel Arcangel, and of San Bartolome.

Although the church of oldest origin is that of Saint Mary of the Incarnation, located next to the templar fortress, of Visigothic origins and with reforms at different times.

Birthplace of Núñez de Balboa in Jerez de los Caballeros

Every historical city always has some illustrious personage, and in Jerez de los Caballeros the most notable is without a doubt Vasco Nunez de Balboa.

This Spanish navigator born in the 15th century became governor of Panama, Coiba y South Sea Advance.

His dream since childhood had always been travel to the new world to seek a better life, and in the end it was there where he left his mark.

To make known the story of his life and exploits, In Jerez de los Caballeros you can visit his birthplace, because his life is a true story of improvement.

He went from setting sail as a stowaway to the Americas, to be one of the most important characters in the trips to the new continent.

Jerez de los Caballeros, birthplace of Iberian Ham from Extremadura

And the whole story that we just learned takes place in the characteristic landscape of Extremadura, the pastures.

The pastures are those spaces where animals grow and develop. Iberian pigs that end up producing one of the great delicacies of Spanish gastronomya.

Las Dehesas and Acorn-fed Iberian Ham

In these pastures grow trees like holm oak or cork oak whose fruit are acorns, the key to the production of top quality hams.

To produce the acorn-fed Iberian ham It is necessary that certain conditions be met and in Jerez de los Caballeros all of them are given.

That is why it is one of the great producers of quality Iberian ham included in the designation of origin.

There are two visits that can be made to introduce you to the Iberian ham culture.

Visit a factory where the final product is made, as we did when we learned about the Jierrito ham factory, or visit a pasture to see how the pigs grow in the wild.

Jerez de los Caballeros Iberian Ham Hall

And a great example of the importance of this product is its prestigious Jerez de los Caballeros Iberian Ham Hall.

This contest has been held every year in spring for more than 30 years.

It is an event divided into two, a recreational part and a professional part, in which, for example, Awards al Golden Ham in addition to best cutter.

It is also the ideal place to understand the differences between the different hams that can be consumed just by looking at their labels since, as you know perfectly well in Jerez de los CaballerosNot all hams are the same.

Map: how to get to Jerez de los Caballeros

Jerez de los Caballeros is located one hour away south of Badajoz already two hours north of Seville.