Discover Madroñera: Heritage and Landscape

Madroñera combines a landscape shaped by dehesas and scrubland with buildings, religious traditions and local food. The town offers a range of points of interest to help you plan your trip, from the architecture of the parish church to the festivities associated with the Virgen de Soterraña.

Landscape and Getting There

Holm oak dehesas, cork oaks and extensive areas of scrubland shape Madroñera’s landscape. The town lies among mountain ranges, including Pedro Gómez. These landscape features give the area its distinctive character, while its historic buildings and traditions reveal other sides of the destination.

The waterways can also be distinguished precisely: the Arroyo de Magasca touches the municipal area, and Crecederas is a tributary of this stream in Madroñera. The Camino de los Descubridores is a route associated with Madroñera. If you plan to include it in your itinerary, check the current waymarking and conditions in advance.

The main access road to Madroñera is the EX-208, the Plasencia–Zorita road. From Trujillo, you can reach the town via the N-521 and then the EX-208. The Puente sobre el río Magasca consists of two ramps, two stone arches and masonry made of broken slate. The bridge is reported to be in poor road condition; check conditions before travelling.

Buildings and History

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Purísima Concepción is a building in the popular Baroque style; construction began in the first third of the 17th century. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross: the longitudinal layout is complemented by a transept. This brings together a clearly identifiable architectural form and a specific historical context.

Another prominent monument is the 16th-century Rollo, or Picota. It represents the historic independence of these territories from Trujillo. Two lions and the coats of arms of the Santa Cruz family adorn its finial. The Casa Palacio de los Santa Cruz offers a different architectural accent: its stone Renaissance doorway is framed by columns.

Religious buildings include the Ermita de la Virgen de Soterraña and the Ermita del Cerro. The present-day Ermita de la Virgen de Soterraña replaced an earlier building that had fallen into complete ruin and houses Madroñera’s patron saint. Access arrangements may vary; check them before visiting. The Ermita del Cerro is one of the town’s surviving religious monuments; ask locally about access.

Another feature of the townscape is the “Nitrato de Chile” advertising sign in the Art Deco style. Together with the churches, the Picota and the Renaissance doorway, it shows the variety of cultural and historical influences visible in Madroñera.

Festivals and Local Cuisine

The Fiestas de la Soterraña take place on the first weekend in August; the specific programme may vary from year to year. The Kintos tradition is also part of local festive life. It has been observed for a century and culminates in “Poner la Bandera” at the Mona del Rollo. During this event, the Quintos bid farewell to their villa. Dates and proceedings may vary, so it is advisable to check the latest festival dates before your trip.

During the Procesión del Niño Pastor, children in traditional costumes accompany the image of the Niño Pastor with a sheep through the streets of Madroñera. Another annual event is the countryside pilgrimage on Easter Monday, when typical dishes such as Escabeche, Frite and Gazpacho are eaten; the sweet Bollo de Pascua is also made. Escabeche extremeño is also considered a typical dish of Madroñera. Alongside its architectural history, the food and customs give the destination a strong culinary and festive character.

Discover more destinations: Hervás, Las Casiñas Altas, Casas Del Castañar, Cabezabellosa, Torremocha, Casar De Palomero, Cabezuela Del Valle, Talaván.

Back to the regional travel guide: Cáceres.