Pallares: Landscape, Parish Church and Gastro Ruta

Pallares between the Sierra Morena and the Valley

Pallares lies in the northern foothills of the Sierra Morena, in a gentle, fertile valley at an altitude of about 537 metres. A rugged landscape and lush vegetation meet around the town. The valley and elevation provide a sense of the geographical setting, while the landscape offers another perspective on Pallares.

The Parish Church of Santa María Magdalena

The small parish church of Santa María Magdalena is entirely whitewashed and is currently open to visitors. Its architectural character is considered vernacular. Its simple exterior contrasts with the church's carefully articulated interior and a collection of historic furnishings.

Inside are a Baroque altarpiece, a wooden statue of Santa María Magdalena dating from the 18th century, and a depiction of Christ from the same century. There is also a depiction of Santa Isabel and a carved baptismal font, both dating from the 17th or 18th century. The dates of Santa Isabel and the baptismal font are deliberately given as a range.

The floor plan and vaults also offer a concrete sense of the interior layout: the church has a square floor plan and three naves, each divided into three bays. This creates nine identical sections of space. Four columns stand in the central area; the vaults feature groins and lunettes. These features describe the building's structure, from its overall floor plan to the design of the ceiling.

The Gastro Ruta de Pallares

The 16th edition of the Gastro Ruta de Pallares took place on 30 March 2025. It was organised by the Hermandad de San Isidro de Pallares in collaboration with the Ayuntamiento de Montemolín, Pallares y Santa María. The walk in that edition was about 13 kilometres long and passed through the area's beautiful landscapes. On the tour described for that same day, the route began near the Ermita de San Isidro and ended back at the meadow by the pilgrimage chapel. The distance and route apply to that edition; route details may vary from one edition to another.

At the March 2025 edition, one refreshment point offered water, a ham sandwich and a glass of Clarete-Pitarra wine from Maguilla. If you are planning to attend a later edition, its specific itinerary will therefore be the relevant one.

A Celebration in Honour of Santa María Magdalena

A report dated 23 July 2026 describes a celebration in honour of Santa María Magdalena, at which a Eucharist was celebrated in the parish church and the group “El Castellar” performed traditional jotas from Extremadura. These two elements bring together the religious occasion and music from the region. They offer a glimpse of this documented celebration without implying a fixed annual programme.

Discover more destinations: Burguillos, Corte De Peleas, Zafra, Calera De León, Entrerríos, Montemolín, Táliga, El Raposo

For the broader travel overview: Badajoz.