Bienvenida

As its name indicates (lit. welcome), this Badajoz town arose from the welcome reception held on its present site for Ferdinand III of Castile-León, the Saint, in honour of his mother, Doña Berenguela of Castile and his wife, Doña Beatriz, when both went to visit him in the town of Llerena. So the legend goes! Though, the fact is remains of Iberian, Celtic and Roman settlements have been found there.

Should you decide to visit, don't miss the beautiful façades of its ancestral homes, its parish church dedicated to Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles not to mention its graceful Mudejar tower, the chapel dedicated to its patron saint and the fountain in the Calle de la Plaza.

The local bakeries, wineries and oil presses are also worth a look in, where you can enjoy its local food and drink. In addition to its Iberian shoulders of ham and pork loins, don't go without trying the "migas" (fried breadcrumbs with chopped bacon and pork, chorizo etc.), the "caldereta" (goat/lamb casseroles), the “cardillo” (small thistles) and, of course, its speciality in confectionery, the local "empanadillas" (pasties).

A good idea is to make your visit coincide with some of the most important local festivals. Bienvenida is particularly famous for the following festivals: Carnival, San Isidro and those in honour of the town's patron, Nuestra Señora de los Milagros.