Siruela

Siruela is a municipality and town in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, southwestern Spain, situated in the La Siberia comarca at the southern foothills of the Sierra de Siruela.^[1] It has a population of approximately 1,772 inhabitants (2024 estimate).^[2] The town has ancient origins, with archaeological evidence of pre-Roman (including a Tartessian stela found at "El Ruidero") and Roman presence.^[1] In the medieval period, it was established as a villa and lordship (Señorío de Siruela) in 1370, and remnants of a possible lordship solar house survive at "La Cava" in the Barrio de San Roque.^[3][1] Over time, the lordship evolved into the County of Siruela (Conde de Siruela), with historical ties to noble families such as the Velasco, as evidenced by the Palace of the Dukes of Fernán Núñez in Plaza de España, bearing the arms of Velasco, de la Cueva, Medrano, and Zúñiga associated with the VII Count, Don Gabriel de Velasco (1580–1625).^[1] Siruela gained particular historical importance in the 16th century as a key center for the Honrado Concejo de la Mesta, the powerful Castilian organization that regulated transhumant livestock herding; several of its assemblies were held in the town during this period.^[1][3] The municipality stands out for its natural heritage. The Sierra de Siruela forms part of the European Natura 2000 network, designated as both a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and a Site of Community Importance/Special Area of Conservation (LIC/ZEC), covering 6,118 hectares across the municipalities of Siruela, Baterno, Garlitos, and Risco.^[4][5] The sierra supports Mediterranean vegetation dominated by holm oak, cork oak, and quejigo oak woodlands, with areas of shrubland rich in heather and gorse, as well as well-preserved riparian vegetation along streams (oleander, buckthorn, rushes, and broom).^[5] The area is recognized for its diverse birdlife, including notable species such as the Egyptian vulture, golden eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, and Eurasian eagle-owl, making it a significant site for birdwatching.^[1] Among its architectural landmarks are the 14th-century Gothic-Mudéjar parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua, the 16th-century Convent of the Poor Clares (founded 1530), the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Altagracia (with a 15th-century Gothic chapel and Baroque paintings), and the Herrerian-style former Hospital of San Francisco (now a cultural center).^[1] The town also preserves traditional rural festivities and a gastronomy centered on local products, including the distinctive "bodigo" dish prepared for All Saints’ Day.^[1]

Geography

Location

Siruela is a municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain, belonging to the La Siberia comarca. It occupies the southernmost position within this comarca, situated on the shaded (umbría) slope of the Sierra de Siruela.^[6] The municipality spans 202 km² at an elevation of 519 m.^[6] Its geographic coordinates are 38°58′39″N 5°02′57″W.^[7] Siruela lies near the border with the province of Ciudad Real, at approximate distances of 122 km from Ciudad Real, 192 km from Badajoz (the provincial capital), and 270 km from Madrid.^[8][6] It is surrounded by the neighboring municipalities of Garbayuela, Sancti-Spíritus, Garlitos, Baterno, and Tamurejo.^[9] Siruela falls within the judicial district (partido judicial) of Herrera del Duque and uses the postal code 06650.^[6]

Terrain and environment

Siruela occupies an area of 202 km² at an average elevation of 519 m.^[10] The municipality lies at the southern edge of the Sierra de Siruela, a rugged quartzitic mountain range characterized by abrupt terrain, rocky outcrops, and cliffs.^[4] This sierra reaches a maximum elevation of approximately 940 m at Pico Motilla.^[11] The Sierra de Siruela forms part of the Natura 2000 network, designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA ES4310042) and a Site of Community Importance (LIC), with a protected area covering approximately 66.8 km².^[12] Its Mediterranean vegetation includes dense holm oak forests (encinares), cork oak forests (alcornocales), Pyrenean oak forests (quejigares), juniper stands (enebros), and wild olive groves (acebuches), alongside scrubland, riparian formations, and reforested pine areas.^[4] Shady slopes support thick tree cover, while sunnier aspects feature olive groves, wild olives, and mastic scrub.^[4] The quartzitic cliffs and dense woodlands provide key habitat for rupicolous and forest-associated birds, including the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus), griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), black stork (Ciconia nigra), Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), and eagle owl (Bubo bubo).^[4] The area has recorded nesting by cinereous vultures and serves as a dispersal zone for imperial eagles.^[13] Hydrological features include the Esteras and Guadalemar rivers, which border and traverse the sierra, along with nearby reservoirs such as La Serena that influence the surrounding landscape.^[4] These elements contribute to a mosaic of habitats supporting rich biodiversity in the La Siberia region.^[13]

Climate

Siruela has a Mediterranean climate with pronounced continental characteristics, typical of interior Extremadura, featuring hot, dry summers and cool to cold winters with moderate temperature swings influenced by its elevation at the southern edge of the Sierra de Siruela.^[14] The hot season extends from mid-June to early September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 85°F (29°C) and peaking in July at around 92°F (33°C); nighttime lows during this period typically remain around 65°F (18°C). The cool season runs from mid-November to early March, when average daily highs fall below 60°F (16°C), with January being the coldest month featuring average lows of 36°F (2°C) and highs around 52°F (11°C). These patterns reflect significant seasonal temperature variation, with rare extremes below 27°F (-3°C) or above 100°F (38°C).^[14] Precipitation is unevenly distributed, with dry summers and wetter autumns, winters, and springs. The driest months are July and August, each averaging about 0.2 inches (5 mm) of rainfall and fewer than 1 wet day, while November stands out as the wettest with around 2.0 inches (51 mm) and higher chances of rain. The wetter period generally spans from late September to early June, with the driest season from early June to late September. This distribution aligns with Mediterranean patterns, though the continental influence amplifies temperature contrasts due to the area's elevation and surrounding topography.^[14]

History

Ancient history

The ancient history of Siruela is primarily evidenced by archaeological finds indicating human presence from the protohistoric period onward. The most significant artifact is the inscribed stele discovered in 1972 at the site known as El Ruidero, within the municipal territory. This large slate slab bears a well-preserved inscription in the Southwest script (also known as Tartessian), consisting of two lines arranged boustrophedon (one right-to-left, the other left-to-right), featuring recurring funerary or ritual formulas such as "KUNKUNABE" and "KEKUNAI". This script dates to the Orientalizing period, roughly the late 8th to 6th centuries BCE, linking Siruela to the Tartessian cultural sphere in the northeastern Badajoz region along the Guadiana and Zújar valleys, where similar warrior and inscribed stelae have been found.^[15][16] The same stele was reused in Roman times, with a Latin epitaph engraved on the opposite face reading "C(aius) Iulivs Clemens / An(norum) IX / (h(ic)) s(itus) e(st)," commemorating a nine-year-old boy named Gaius Julius Clemens. This reuse, likely as a funerary marker, reflects Roman occupation and adaptation of earlier monuments in the area, which formed part of the Roman province's Beturia Túrdula region. Additional Roman vestiges include a limestone slab dated to the 1st century CE found in the vicinity.^[15][16][17] Pre-Roman and Roman artifacts, including a Tartessian-style bronze jug also recovered in Siruela, attest to the area's integration into broader Iberian trade and cultural networks during the protohistoric and early Roman periods, though no extensive settlement excavations have been documented. Evidence for the Muslim period remains limited in available archaeological records, with no prominent sites or structures specifically tied to this era identified in the municipality.^[15]

Medieval and early modern period

Siruela, known during the medieval period as Villanueva de Siruela,^[18] developed as a lordship in the 14th century. The town was constituted as a villa y señorío around this time, with origins linked to repopulation efforts in the region.^[19][3] In the 15th century, the lordship underwent consolidation under Hernando de Velasco, whose lineage initiated the County of Siruela.^[19] This marked the elevation from a lordship to a formal county, with the Velasco family holding jurisdiction over the town. During the 16th century, Siruela emerged as a prominent center for the Honrado Concejo de la Mesta, the influential Castilian livestock organization. From 1500 onward, it hosted triennial meetings of the Mesta, with a total of 17 such assemblies recorded between 1500 and 1578, underscoring its role in transhumant sheep management and the wool trade.^[20][21] In 1594, Siruela formed part of the Tierra de Siruela within the province of Trujillo.^[22] Remains of medieval fortifications include the Casa Solar del Señorío de Siruela (also known as La Cava), an extramuros structure with surviving elements such as an aljibe in the Barrio de San Roque, and the ruins of Los Paredones, a Templar-built fortress located west of the town that was ordered destroyed in the 14th century after serving as a refuge for bandits.^[18][3]

Contemporary history

Following the liberal reforms that abolished seigneurial jurisdictions in early 19th-century Spain, Siruela became a constitutional municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura. In 1834, it was integrated into the judicial district of Herrera del Duque.^[20] According to the census of 1842, Siruela had 860 households and 3,240 residents.^[20] The 20th century brought initial population growth, peaking at 5,394 inhabitants in 1950, but was followed by sharp decline due to rural emigration, low birth rates, and aging demographics; by 1970 the population had fallen to 3,583, dropping further to 2,512 in 1981 and around 2,200 by the early 2010s.^[23] In 2012, Siruela was designated the Winter Capital of Transhumance, underscoring its enduring connection to livestock routes and the legacy of the Mesta, with events highlighting practices along the Cañada Real de las Merinas and traditional extensive grazing systems.^[24]

Demographics

Population trends

Siruela's population has undergone a marked long-term decline, reflecting broader patterns in rural Extremadura municipalities where out-migration and low birth rates have predominated since the mid-20th century. According to historical census data from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), the población de derecho stood at 3,240 in 1842.^[25] The population peaked around 1950 before entering a sustained downward trajectory. By 2006, it had decreased to 2,214 inhabitants, and continued to fall to 1,766 by 2025 (INE). Covering an area of 202 km², Siruela exhibits a low population density of 8.74 inhabitants per km², underscoring its sparsely populated rural character.^[26] This decline aligns with aging demographic patterns typical of rural Extremadura, characterized by negative natural growth and an increasing proportion of elderly residents.^[27]

Population composition

Siruela is a rural municipality consisting primarily of its main town, also called Siruela, which serves as the sole significant population center with no notable hamlets or dispersed localities.^[3] As of January 1, 2024, the municipality had 1,771 inhabitants, comprising 897 men and 874 women, reflecting a nearly balanced gender distribution.^[27] The age structure indicates an aging population typical of rural Extremadura, with an average age of 51.14 years. Approximately 29.2% of residents are aged 65 or older, 59.9% are between 18 and 65, and only 10.8% are under 18. This configuration shows a low proportion of youth and a high share of elderly residents, contributing to the demographic challenges of the area.^[27] The municipality exhibits a markedly rural character, with very low population density and limited urban development.^[27]

Economy

Agriculture and livestock

Siruela's economy relies heavily on agriculture and livestock farming, supported by its extensive dehesas and rural landscape, which provide ideal conditions for extensive grazing and traditional dryland cropping. Livestock farming, especially sheep rearing, forms a key part of the local primary sector, with a strong focus on the Merino breed. This sector draws on a long tradition of transhumance, as Siruela served as a key center for the Mesta livestock organization during the 16th century and functioned as a winter capital for transhumant herding routes. Recent initiatives continue to highlight and preserve these practices. The annual Feria Agroganadera serves as the region's showcase for select livestock, featuring exhibitions, morphological contests, shearing demonstrations, and auctions aimed at improving the Merino breed and local herds. The event, supported by the Diputación de Badajoz and Junta de Extremadura, includes sales of breeding stock and attracts visitors while reinforcing the area's pastoral heritage.^[28][29][30] Crop farming centers on traditional dryland agriculture, with cereals such as wheat, barley, and oats dominating on approximately 1,483 hectares (as of 2015), often in rotation with fallow periods to sustain soil fertility and provide pasture. Olive groves cover around 833 hectares (as of 2015), supporting local production of extra virgin olive oil, as exemplified by family-run operations that process and bottle their own harvests. These activities integrate with communal finca management, such as the 7,500-hectare Finca Comunal, where fields alternate between cereal sowing and fallow grazing every four years.^[23][31][32] Hunting also contributes to rural activity and economy, with managed hunting grounds hosting populations of red deer, wild boar, roe deer, and diverse small game species. These areas overlap with dehesa landscapes used for grazing and help maintain ecological balance in Natura 2000 sites.^[33]

Other sectors

In addition to its primary reliance on agriculture and livestock, Siruela maintains modest economic activity in secondary and tertiary sectors, centered on tourism, artisanal production, and local services. Tourism has emerged as a growing sector, driven by the municipality's natural and cultural heritage. The Sierra de Siruela, part of the Natura 2000 network as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and Site of Community Importance (SCI), supports diverse birdlife including species such as the Egyptian vulture (alimoche), golden eagle, Bonelli's eagle, and eagle owl, attracting birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.^[18] The area also offers opportunities for hiking and cycling along signposted trails, with nearby reservoirs such as La Serena, Zújar, Orellana, and Puerto Peña enhancing appeal for outdoor activities. Heritage tourism complements nature-based visits, with visitors drawn to historical sites including medieval ruins, religious architecture, and civil buildings. Supporting infrastructure includes rural accommodations such as Casa Rural “La Pajarona” and Casa Rural “La Casa de Marina,” as well as hospitality options like Hostal Restaurante “Los Amigos.”^[18] A distinctive artisanal contribution comes from the Convento de las Clarisas, whose nuns produce traditional confectionery as their primary economic activity. The convent, open to the public for sales, offers a variety of sweets including tejas, yemas de Santa Clara, bombones, polvorones, and mazapanes, crafted with traditional recipes and sold to locals and tourists alike. This small-scale production provides a unique local product while sustaining the convent community.^[34] Local commerce and services remain small-scale, consisting mainly of bars, restaurants, pubs, and event venues such as Salones Luján, which cater to residents and occasional visitors. No significant industrial or renewable energy developments are documented in the municipality.^[18]

Government and administration

Municipal council

The municipal council of Siruela serves as the local governing body, responsible for the administration and management of municipal affairs in accordance with Spanish local government legislation. The council comprises nine councilors, elected by universal suffrage every four years, along with the mayor-president who chairs it.^[35] The current corporation was constituted on 17 June 2023 following the municipal elections held on 28 May 2023. José Luis Camacho Mora of the Partido Popular (PP) serves as the alcalde-presidente.^[36] The political composition of the council is as follows:

• Partido Popular (PP): 3 councilors (including the mayor-president José Luis Camacho Mora, along with Cristina Risco Madrid and Agustín Pacha Arias).
• Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE): 4 councilors (Regino Barranquero Delgado, María Dolores Cabanillas Álvarez, María Dolores Cerro Camacho, and Lorenzo Risco Araújo).
• Juntos por Extremadura (JUEX): 2 councilors (María Dolores Díez-Madroñero González and María Lourdes Prior Díaz).^[36]

In the 2023 elections, the PSOE obtained the highest number of votes (599, or 46.36%) and 4 seats, followed by the PP with 436 votes (33.74%) and 3 seats, and JUEX with 243 votes (18.8%) and 2 seats. Voter participation reached 84.33%.^[37] As a municipality in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Siruela's council operates within the regional framework of local administration in Spain.^[35]

Services and infrastructure

Siruela offers essential public services and basic infrastructure typical of a small rural municipality in Extremadura, supporting its population through local and regional networks. Transportation in Siruela relies primarily on road connections and interurban bus services. The town is linked to nearby centers and larger cities via regional roads, with bus routes providing access to Badajoz (approximately 5 hours, with fares around €18–25) and other destinations including Madrid. These services are part of broader concessions for public interurban transport in the region.^[38][39][40] In terms of education, the municipality maintains public facilities including the CEIP Moreno Nieto, which provides infant and primary education, and the IESO Virgen de Altagracia, an institute offering compulsory secondary education (ESO) and serving students from Siruela and surrounding villages.^[41][42] Health services are delivered through the local Centro de Salud Siruela, which handles primary care. Additional coverage is available via nearby consultorios, including one in Baterno. For current contact details, consult the official Extremadura health services website.^[43] Basic utilities such as electricity, water, and waste management are provided through regional operators and municipal arrangements common to rural areas in Badajoz. The postal code for Siruela is 06650.^[44] A cultural facility operates in the restored former Hospital of San Francisco, serving community activities.

Culture

Monuments and landmarks

Siruela preserves a rich architectural heritage, with several monuments reflecting its medieval origins, ties to the Order of the Temple, and development under noble patronage during the early modern period. The parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua stands as the town's principal religious monument. Constructed primarily in the 14th century in Gothic style with Mudéjar influences, it possibly incorporates earlier elements from around 1250 and may have been built over a pre-existing fortification. Notable features include a wooden coffered ceiling with star-shaped filigree, horseshoe arches, ribbed vaults, and a Neoclassical side chapel dedicated to the Inmaculada Concepción. External elements include a turret that suggests a fortified character, potentially linked to Templar influence.^[45][18][46] Adjacent to the church is the Convent of the Poor Clares (Convento de la Purísima Concepción), originally established as a beaterio around 1300 and converted into a convent in 1530 with support from local nobility. It was later reformed in the 17th century, featuring a Herrerian-style portada and a chapel with gilded Corinthian retablo constructed under the patronage of Doña Leonor de Velasco. The convent adjoins the main plaza, forming part of the historic core.^[34][18][46] Among the hermitages, the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, located on the outskirts, includes a 15th-century Gothic chapel enhanced with 18th-century Baroque frescoes and serves as a key site for the town's patroness. The Ermita del Calvario, founded in 1626, follows traditional rural patterns with a single nave and vaulted ceiling.^[18] Civil monuments include the Palace of the Dukes of Fernán Núñez (also known as Palacio de los Duques), a 17th-century Baroque mansion on Plaza de España featuring a facade with heraldic arms incorporating the Velasco, de la Cueva, Medrano, and Zúñiga coats of arms, linked to the VII Count of Siruela. The former Hospital of San Francisco, founded between 1590 and 1617 by Francisco de Vargas, retains a Herrerian portada on its chapel facade and now functions as a cultural center. The Torre del Reloj (Clock Tower) is a notable element near the plaza.^[18][46] On the outskirts, fortress remnants testify to Siruela's medieval past. Known as La Cava (with surviving walls known as Los Paredones, located about one kilometer west of the town), these include ruins of a 13th-century Templar castle demolished in the 14th century after serving as a bandit refuge, with surviving elements such as cisterns and walls.^[18][46]

Festivals and traditions

Siruela maintains a rich calendar of festivals and traditions rooted in its agricultural and pastoral heritage, religious observances, and community gatherings. These events blend religious processions, pilgrimages, livestock fairs, and seasonal celebrations, drawing residents and visitors to honor local patron saints, historical practices, and the natural environment.^[47][48] Among the spring observances, Las Cruces on May 3 features the decoration of crosses with flowers and floral adornments placed at various locations around the municipality, often near hermitages, crafted by local groups including neighborhood associations and the Asociación de Mujeres de Siruela.^[47][48] The romería of San Isidro follows on May 15 at the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia, where a mass and procession honor the patron saint of farmers, followed by an aperitivo of wine and caldereta offered by the Ayuntamiento in collaboration with local associations, reviving a traditional custom of communal sharing.^[47][48] In early June, the Feria Agro-ganadera y Multisectorial serves as a key livestock and multisector fair held over the first weekend of the month, featuring exhibitions of livestock, auctions, morphological contests, and displays of agricultural machinery, underscoring Siruela's prominence in merino sheep farming.^[47] The patronal fiestas in honor of Nuestra Señora de Altagracia take place from August 13 to 16, beginning with the bajada de la Virgen from the Ermita to the parish church on August 13, initiating a novena that continues until the image returns on August 23. The program includes religious ceremonies, processions, cultural activities, and evening orchestras.^[47] September brings the Fiestas de Siruela from September 7 to 12, coinciding with Día de Extremadura celebrations, popularly known as "los toros." They open with a pregón and sangría distribution on September 7, followed by a romería to the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Altagracia on September 8, featuring a mass, procession, and countryside gatherings. Events include the construction of a temporary bullring from carts and platforms, taurine activities such as vaquillas, and nightly verbenas with orchestras.^[47] In late November, the Fiesta de la Transterminancia connects Siruela with neighboring Tamurejo along the Cañada Real de las Merinas, a roughly 9-kilometer route traversed by participants, including large numbers of people and sheep, to celebrate transhumance and traditional livestock practices. The event features a breakfast in Tamurejo, the procession to Siruela, a communal meal with roasted lamb and migas extremeñas, and musical performances, organized by local councils with regional support to highlight the cultural and ecological value of the practice.^[49] On November 1, the Día del Bodigo sees residents head to the countryside to enjoy the traditional bodigo, a baked bread filled with meat and slaughter products, topped with sugar, almonds, and a hard-boiled egg, marking a communal celebration tied to All Saints' Day.^[47][48]

Gastronomy

The gastronomy of Siruela reflects the rural traditions of La Siberia comarca, drawing on local ingredients from livestock rearing, hunting, and seasonal matanza (pig slaughter) practices. Common regional dishes include ajoblanco, migas, sopas de tomate (tomato soups), and hearty calderetas (stews), which feature prominently in everyday and festive meals.^[18][50] Hunting remains a key influence, yielding specialties such as conejo al ajillo (rabbit with garlic) and liebres con arroz (hare with rice). Pork and lamb dominate meat preparations, with dishes like cochinillo (suckling pig) and caldereta de cordero (lamb stew), alongside homemade embutidos (cured sausages) including lomo, chorizo, and morcón. Products from the matanza, along with local cheeses, are highly prized.^[50][18] A distinctive local specialty is the bodigo, traditionally prepared for All Saints' Day on November 1st. This consists of a large bread loaf baked in a wood-fired oven, stuffed with meat and matanza products (such as ham, chorizo, and other cuts), then topped with sugar, almonds, and a hard-boiled egg for a characteristic sweet-savory contrast. Families prepare and enjoy it during countryside outings on the holiday.^[18][48] The Convent of the Poor Clares (Clarisas) in Siruela contributes significantly to the local sweet tradition, producing artisanal confections including yemas de Santa Clara (egg yolk candies), tejas (almond tiles), bombones (chocolates), and various mazapanes (marzipans). These sweets, crafted by the nuns, are a valued part of Siruela's culinary heritage.^[18][51] Local fairs and gatherings often feature these products, including matanza items and cheeses, highlighting the community's emphasis on traditional, homemade flavors.

Notable people

José Moreno Nieto (1825–1882) is Siruela's most prominent native son, recognized for his achievements as a jurist, Arabist, and politician. Born in Siruela on February 2, 1825, he was orphaned young and educated initially at the Monastery of Guadalupe before pursuing philosophy and jurisprudence studies in Toledo (1836–1843), where he also began learning Arabic influenced by the city's heritage. He continued his education in Madrid, earning titles including regent in Arabic language and later a doctorate in administration, and became professor of Arabic at the University of Granada in 1847. He subsequently held the chair in History and Critical Examination of Spain's Principal Treaties with Foreign Powers at the Universidad Central de Madrid (from 1859 onward) and served as rector of that university.^[52][53] A prolific scholar and polyglot fluent in languages including Latin, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Syriac, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian, Moreno Nieto authored the influential Gramática de la lengua arábica (1872), commissioned for educational use due to the scarcity of Arabic textbooks in Spain. He was a member of the Real Academia de la Historia, Real Academia de Ciencias Morales y Políticas, and Real Academia de Jurisprudencia y Legislación, and presided over the Ateneo de Madrid and the Real Academia Matritense de Jurisprudencia y Legislación. Politically, he served as deputy to the Cortes (initially for Granada with the Progressive Party, later for Badajoz and Castuera), senator, director general of Public Instruction, and vice president of Congress. He died in Madrid on February 24, 1882. Declared an illustrious son of Siruela, the town honors him with a bronze sculpture in front of the town hall.^[52][53]