Autumn, with its gentle warmth and golden leaves, is the perfect season to explore the heart of rural Spain. Far from bustling cities, nestled among the oak and cork groves of Extremadura, lies a small town where time seems to move by its own laws. Alburquerque, located in the province of Badajoz, feels as if it has stepped straight out of a historical novel. Its cobbled streets wind up the hillside, leading to an imposing fortress that gazes towards the Portuguese border, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. As the sun sets, orange rays bathe the stone walls and defensive towers, enveloping the town in a magical silence disturbed only by the scent of damp earth and wood smoke.
The town spreads at the foot of the Sierra de San Pedro mountains, offering travelers not just a wealth of history, but natural beauty as well. The landscapes here, dominated by cork oaks that have sustained local industry for centuries, are crisscrossed with walking trails. These paths lead to secluded chapels, streams, and viewpoints overlooking the impressive plains. Alburquerque’s historic center, protected as a site of cultural significance, is among the best-preserved in the region. Its architecture weaves together Gothic, Mudéjar, and Renaissance styles, forming a unique ensemble that has remained almost unchanged for centuries.
The city’s most prominent landmark is the Castillo de Luna, towering atop the highest hill. Built between the 13th and 15th centuries, the fortress owes its name to the powerful Castilian nobleman Don Álvaro de Luna, who commissioned the main tower. Over the centuries, the castle has served as a military citadel and a noble residence, and today its walls house a youth hostel that offers the unique experience of spending the night surrounded by centuries of history. From its crenellated ramparts, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the “Raya” — the natural border between Spain and Portugal. Guests can explore inner courtyards, chapels, and secret passages on guided tours.
Next to the castle stands the Iglesia de Santa María del Mercado, a Gothic church dating back to the 15th century. Its name recalls the bustling market that once filled its portico. This was a meeting place for Moors, Jews, and Christians who traded goods and shared news, reflecting the multicultural past of this border town. Inside, the church preserves a 16th-century altarpiece and a venerated local sculpture of Christ the Comforter.
Descending along Calle Carcel, which runs parallel to the fortress wall, you enter the Gothic quarter of Villa-Adentro—the heart of old Alburquerque. Here, crests carved in stone decorate the facades, pointed doorways recall the era of knights, and defensive towers like the Torre del Reloj or Torre Mocha stand as silent witnesses to the city’s strategic importance in the Middle Ages. You can partly walk along the massive wall, which reaches ten meters high, enjoying views of the city and its surroundings.
On the outskirts, among meadows and oak groves, stands the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Carrión. This whitewashed, harmoniously proportioned building, constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries, houses the image of the town’s patroness. Each year, the chapel becomes the center of pilgrimages and folk festivities, reflecting the balance between rural simplicity and deep religiosity that defines the architecture of Extremadura.
