Hornachos: Sierra Grande and Mudéjar Heritage

You can get to know Hornachos through a range of themes: the Sierra Grande, historic buildings, and routes that connect the landscape with individual cultural sites. If you are planning a stay, these highlights can help you decide which aspects of the town you would like to explore in more depth.

Sierra Grande and protected nature

The Sierra Grande de Hornachos is made up of Palaeozoic rock and forms the physical foundation of the Zona de Interés Regional. Its shaded and sunny slopes differ considerably. As a habitat, the sierra is home to more than 220 vertebrate species, including griffon vultures, golden eagles, Egyptian vultures and peregrine falcons.

The protected area in Hornachos covers 12,000 hectares. In Extremadura, it is designated a Zona de Interés Regional; within the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas, it is included both as a Zona de Especial Conservación and as a Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves. A total of 167 different bird species occur there year-round. The information about the sierra and the protected area thus offers different insights into nature and conservation status around Hornachos.

Religious buildings and historic sites

The Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción has a three-aisled basilica layout and a Mudéjar wooden ceiling. Inside, there is also a coat of arms of Charles V and an alabaster baptismal font. The layout, ceiling and two distinctive features offer different points of interest if you are interested in religious architecture and craftsmanship.

The Franciscan monastery of San Ildefonso, also known as the Convento de San Francisco, was founded in 1530 as part of efforts to Christianise the Moriscos. The monastery contains altarpieces and sculptures dating from the 16th to the 18th century. By contrast, the Castillo de Hornachos is notable for the long history of its Islamic fortress: it stands on a high rock above the town and dates from the 9th to the 16th century.

Waterworks and their history

At the Pilar de Palomas, water from the Valle de los Moros is channelled through canals and irrigation ditches. A small aqueduct with vivid red brick arches carries it to a single outlet. The Pilar is considered a monumental Mudéjar-style landmark and one of Hornachos’s most impressive hydraulic structures. Its description links a specific engineering principle with the local history of construction.

The Fuente de los Moros is also one of the historic waterworks. This monumental, square stone structure is made mainly of granite and dates from the 16th century; an inscription dates it to 1583. The adjoining washhouse continued to be used by the local population for its original purpose well into the 20th century. Together, the fountain complex and washhouse show how waterworks and everyday use were connected in this place.

Routes for different schedules

The Ruta de las Hachas is 14 kilometres long and rated easy. The stated walking time is one hour, while the cycling time is 15 minutes. The route follows the lower slope of the sierra, passes the Zona de Interés Regional and the valley of the Río Matachel, and ends at the “Las Hachas” estate. There, you can see several traditional hornachego huts and ovens.

The 4.5-kilometre Ruta de los Escalones-Carrascal starts and ends on Calle San Francisco. It passes through Mediterranean woodland to the Castillo de Hornachos and, on the way back to the village, by the Centro de Interpretación de la Cultura Morisca. Another route leads to the Mirador de Astroturismo: its starting point is on Calle San Francisco, level with the Oficina de Turismo and the visitor reception centre; from there, it follows the Camino de los Escalones. Route conditions and visitor access may change, so check the guidance before setting out.

As a regional connection, Hornachos is one of the municipalities on the Ruta del Vino y el Cava Ribera del Guadiana. Wine and cava thus complement the picture of the town alongside its landscapes, architecture and routes.

Discover more destinations: Cabeza Del Buey, Bienvenida, San Vicente De Alcántara, Oliva De Mérida, Peraleda del Zaucejo, Valdelacalzada, Valverde De Leganés, Solana De Los Barros.

Go to the regional travel overview: Badajoz.