Free walking tours in Calera de León and what to see

Must-sees

Calera de León is in the south of Badajoz province, in the Tentudía area, on a ridge surrounded by hills and dehesa. Its great monument is the Conventual Santiaguista, on the village square, built in the late 15th and 16th centuries by the Order of Santiago. Its best feature is the two-storey granite cloister, with the chapter house and refectory on the ground floor. Next to it is the late Gothic church of Santiago, with star-ribbed vaults and a Renaissance doorway.

A few kilometres away, high in the hills, is the Monastery of Tentudía, at the highest point in the province. According to tradition, its name comes from Master Pelay Pérez Correa's plea to the Virgin to hold back the day during a battle, «ten tu día». Inside, the tiled altarpiece by Niculoso Pisano and a brick Mudéjar cloister stand out, and from outside the views over the dehesas of southern Extremadura are among the best in the area.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Calera de León. The usual format is the guided visit of the Conventual Santiaguista and the Monastery of Tentudía; at Tentudía there is also an interpretation centre on the Order of Santiago. The area also offers stargazing outings from the hills, taking advantage of the low light pollution.

How long to spend

Two or three hours are enough for the convent, the church and the village. If you drive up to Tentudía at a relaxed pace, allow a full day, ideally saving the afternoon to enjoy the light over the hills. With a second day you can visit Monesterio, known for its Iberian ham, or walk the hill tracks among holm and cork oaks.

Where to stay

Calera de León has a rural house or two and a small place to stay in the village, perfect for sleeping in silence and driving up to Tentudía early. As choice is scarce, book ahead. Monesterio, very close and by the Vía de la Plata motorway, has more hotels and guesthouses, and Fuente de Cantos or Zafra are good alternatives if you want to combine the visit with other towns in Badajoz.