Llerena in the south east land
Llerena, the historic heart of Campiña Sur, is a Mudejar town surrounded by dehesas where great bustards and cranes feed.
The Campiña Sur is the southeastern corner of Badajoz province, a land of dehesas and gentle hills between the Sierra Morena and the plains of La Serena.
Llerena
Llerena is the historic heart of the region. It was an important town in the Middle Ages and the seat of the Inquisition in Extremadura, and its old center still shows that past.
The Plaza Mayor, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Granada, and several convents and palaces make Llerena a good place for a walk. Together with nearby Azuaga, it has one of the best collections of Mudejar architecture in Extremadura. The Mudejar were Muslims allowed to live under Christian rule, and they left a distinctive style in brick and tile.
Other sights include the Palacio de los Zapata, the Convento de la Merced, and the old Jewish quarter, a reminder of the town’s medieval communities. Llerena is best explored slowly, on foot.
The beautiful town of Llerena
Around Llerena
- Regina: a Roman town with a small theater, near Casas de Reina.
- Cardenchosa: prehistoric dolmens and menhirs.
- Mina La Jayona: a former iron mine near Fuente del Arco, now a natural monument with guided visits.
- Azuaga, Berlanga, and Valencia de las Torres: more Mudejar churches and small castles.
- The dehesas are good for birdwatching, with great bustards, cranes, and birds of prey.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking and birdwatching. In winter, cranes arrive in the dehesas. Summers are very hot.
What to eat
The local cuisine is based on cured jamón ibérico, migas, and sheep cheese, with game in autumn and winter.
How to get there
Llerena is about 1 hour 15 minutes by car from Mérida and Seville, on the A-66 highway. The nearest airports are Seville and Badajoz.
Getting around
A car is needed to reach Regina, La Jayona, and the surrounding villages. Llerena is well connected by the A-66, with buses and trains to Mérida and Seville.