Calzadilla: Churches, Dehesas and Traditions

Calzadilla brings together sacred architecture, local traditions and a distinctive dehesa landscape. If you would like to consider the character of the destination when looking for a hotel, these themes can help you get your bearings: churches, graves and historical connections sit alongside walks in the dehesas and seasonal events in September. When choosing when to travel, it makes a difference whether you mainly want to explore architectural history and the landscape or experience a particular festival.

Churches and Architectural History

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. It consists of a nave, a lower and narrower chancel, and a bell tower. These details make the building easy to understand not only in terms of its period, but also its layout: the nave, chancel and tower are three distinct architectural features.

The Chapel of Santísimo Cristo de la Agonía has structural elements from the 16th and 18th centuries. It also displays the remains of a fearsome lizard mentioned in local legend, along with the shotgun associated with it. The legend is thus a distinct part of local tradition, though its story should not be conflated with the architectural evidence. The anthropomorphic graves are also among Calzadilla’s main attractions.

Historical Connections and Traditions

The town’s history extends beyond its religious buildings. The name Calzadilla derives from an old Roman road that connected Coria with Guijo. Castro de la Barraca del Peral is associated with Calzadilla’s Celtic past. These connections highlight different aspects of the town’s history: a historical link between two places and an archaeological site associated with its Celtic past.

Dehesas and Walks

Calzadilla’s distinctive natural landscape includes dehesas such as El Rebollar and La Zarzuela. The dehesa landscape is a traditional Mediterranean ecosystem with extensive stands of holm and cork oaks, pastureland, and various ponds or small lakes. Alongside the buildings, the landscape and its varied natural features are a focal point.

You can go for walks along paths and trails in the dehesas. This is a way to experience the landscape along its paths and trails, rather than focusing your stay solely on individual named attractions. In late September, you can observe the deer rut in Calzadilla’s well-preserved dehesa. This seasonal natural spectacle offers a specific point of reference when planning your visit.

Los Cristos and Local Cuisine

The Los Cristos festival takes place in September in honour of Santísimo Cristo de la Agonía; the exact dates vary from year to year. The celebrations include traditional bull runs and the release of fighting bulls. A traditional horseback bull run is also part of the festival, in which a group of riders leads the bulls. Opportunities to take part or watch may vary. If you are planning your trip around the festival, check the dates and arrangements for that year.

The deer rut in late September is another seasonal highlight. This distinction is useful when planning your visit: Los Cristos takes place in September, while the rut is associated with the end of the month; the specific festival dates change from year to year. Burranco is a typical dish from Calzadilla and can be sampled during local festivals.

Getting There by Road

From Coria, you can reach Calzadilla via the EX-108 and EX-204 roads; the route is just over nine kilometres long. If travelling on the EX-A1 motorway, take exit 88 towards the EX-204 road. As road signs and conditions may change, check the latest route information before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Talayuela, Erías, Villasbuenas de Gata, Eljas, Palomero, Montánchez, Torremocha, Santibáñez El Bajo.

For the broader travel overview: Cáceres.