Cordobilla de Lácara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cordobilla de Lácara
Coat of arms
Cordobilla de Lácara Location in Extremadura
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Extremadura
Province	Badajoz
Municipality	Cordobilla de Lácara
Area
• Total	37 km2 (14 sq mi)
Elevation	361 m (1,184 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	916
• Density	24.8/km2 (64.1/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Website	www.cordobilladelacara.es

Cordobilla de Lácara is a small town located in the province of Badajoz, in the Extremadura region of Spain. It's a place rich in history and natural beauty. In 2018, about 916 people lived here.

Where is Cordobilla de Lácara?

Cordobilla de Lácara is nestled at the foot of the Sierra de San Pedro mountains. It's surrounded by green meadows and olive groves. These natural areas are very important for the people who live here.

The town is close to the border of the Cáceres province and the city of Mérida. It belongs to a region called Tierra de Mérida - Vegas Bajas. Cordobilla de Lácara is also part of a group of towns called the Commonwealth of Northern Lácara. This group includes Carmonita, La Nava de Santiago, La Roca de la Sierra, and Puebla de Obando.

Mérida is about 44 kilometers (27 miles) away. The closest towns are Carmonita, which is 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) away, and La Nava de Santiago, which is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) away.

What is the geography like?

Cordobilla de Lácara is located on the right side of the Lácara River. This river is a smaller stream that flows into the bigger Guadiana River. Because the town is in a valley, you always arrive from higher ground.

The area is part of the Sierra de San Pedro and Sierra de Montánchez mountains. These mountains are part of a larger system called Los Montes de Toledo. This means the land is covered in a special type of forest called Mediterranean forest. You'll find many oak and cork trees here. There are also thick bushes and shrubs typical of open grasslands.

To the south, the Lácara River flows through fertile lands. These areas have pastures, olive groves, and more grasslands. To the north, you'll find the foothills of the Sierra de San Pedro. This area is very beautiful but can be hard to reach. To the east and west, there are more grasslands with oak trees, mixing flat areas with small hills.

This natural environment creates a rich home for many animals and plants. The creation of wetlands (areas with water) has also brought new species that need water to survive.

The climate here is quite strong. Summers are very hot, and autumn and winter bring lots of rain and cold temperatures. This makes the landscape change a lot throughout the year.

Large open areas are used for hunting animals like deer and wild boar. You can also find protected birds like black vultures, golden eagles, and the rare Iberian imperial eagle.

Most of the land, except near the river, is made of clay. This means it's not very good for growing many different crops.

How do people make a living?

Farming is the main way people earn money in Cordobilla de Lácara. Many people raise sheep, goats, and pigs. The main crops are olives, which are used to make olive oil, and cereals. People also use the grasslands for their animals.

The olive oil production is centered around a special group called the "The Lácara" Country Co-operative Society. Most olive growers in the town are part of this cooperative. The olive oil made here is very high quality and has won awards around the world. It has been named the best organic oil in Extremadura. It also placed third among the best organic virgin olive oils from cooperatives in Spain.

Most of the olives used are from a type called Verdial. This gives the oil its special name, "Verdial Lácara."

Another important economic activity is "cork harvesting." This happens in the summer. Cork comes from the many cork oak trees in the Mediterranean forests around Cordobilla de Lácara. During the summer, workers carefully remove the bark from the cork oak trees. This bark is pure cork. After it's processed, cork is used for many things, like stoppers for wine bottles.

The people who harvest cork are called "sacaores" in Extremadura. They are very skilled and strong, and it takes years to learn this job. This work is not common in other parts of Spain anymore. So, the "sacaores" from Extremadura, including many from Cordobilla de Lácara, travel to other parts of Spain to do this work.

Extremadura is the top producer of cork in Spain. This is because it has the largest area of Mediterranean forest in Europe. Portugal is the biggest cork producer in the world.

There are not many factories or service businesses in Cordobilla de Lácara. However, these types of jobs are slowly growing in the town.

What is the town's name origin?

The name "Lácara" in Cordobilla de Lácara likely comes from Arabic. This suggests early settlements before the area was conquered by Christians. The name "Cordobilla" is linked to the city of Córdoba.

The town is located next to the Lácara River, which is why it's part of the town's name. For many years, people thought "Cordovilla" was spelled with a "V" because they believed it came from "Cordo" and "Villa."

It's still hard to know the exact origin of the name. Recently, people think it's more connected to the Arab city of Cordoba. However, there are no old documents or research to fully prove either idea.

What is the history of Cordobilla de Lácara?

Cordobilla de Lácara became an official town in the region of Extremadura after the old system of government ended. From 1834, it was part of the Mérida judicial district. In 1842, a count of the population showed there were 99 households and 340 residents.

Important historical sites

The Dolmen of Lácara

Near Cordobilla, you can find the Dolmen of Lácara. This is a very important ancient stone structure. It might be one of the largest of its kind in Europe!

The Lácara dolmen is one of the biggest and most beautiful you can see in Extremadura. It's in good condition, and you can see how people built these amazing structures thousands of years ago.

This dolmen is a "passage grave," which means it has a long covered walkway leading to a burial chamber. This chamber was the main part of the dolmen. The original structure was very tall, maybe 5 meters (16 feet) high. Now, only one of the huge stones that formed the roof is still standing. This gives you an idea of how grand it once was. The remaining base shows how precisely the other stones were placed. The whole structure was covered with earth and stones, forming a large mound. To make the tomb strong, big rocks were placed around the base like supports. You can still see these rocks around the dolmen.

Traditional buildings

The traditional houses in Extremadura are usually painted white. They often have red, Arabic-style roof tiles, creating a unique landscape.

The way houses were built was linked to the local environment and climate. Summers are dry and hot, while winters and autumns are cold and wet. It also reflected how people lived and worked at the time.

Typical houses are built around a hallway, often paved. This allowed animals to pass through to the yard or patio. Rooms for sleeping were on either side of the hallway. The hallway would widen into a space for the kitchen and living room. This room was lit by the nearby patio. The main feature in this room was the fireplace, where family life happened. At the back of the house was the patio or yard, which could also house animals. Many sleeping rooms didn't have natural light, except those facing the street.

Smaller homes usually have one floor. Some have an upper area that was used to store food for animals.

Only a few traditional buildings have more than two stories. Some homes had kitchens separate from the main living area, located in the courtyard. Many houses have two entrances: a main one for the living areas and a secondary one (called a "door") leading to the backyard, stable, or barn. These entrances could be on different streets or the same street.

Houses were built with strong walls made of stone and adobe (mud bricks). These walls were often shared between neighboring houses. The walls are painted white using traditional lime. Generally, the architecture is simple, without many decorations. Windows and doors are usually tall and narrow. The roofs are made of red clay tiles.

The town grew without a specific plan because it's so old. It first grew around the church and then along a wide street parallel to the Lácara River. Houses, animal pens, and other buildings are mixed together like a patchwork quilt.

You can still see many old gates and grilles, which give the town a traditional feel. There are also old wells and water tanks that once supplied water to people and animals. The "Power of Madroñal" is a notable one.

Church of St. Peter the Apostle

The Church of St. Peter the Apostle is located in the town square. It was built in the 15th century but has been changed many times since then. Inside, you can see an old carving of Saint John the Baptist from the 16th century. There are also wooden carvings of San Justo and San Pastor from the 16th century. These carvings were recently restored. They have stayed in the village church since they were made, except when they are taken to the chapel for a procession in May.

Chapel of San Justo and San Pastor

This chapel was built more recently, in 1965. It's located right on the border of the Cáceres and Badajoz provinces, on a hill called Cerro El Santo.

The chapel was built simply because there wasn't much money. At the foot of the hill, a pilgrimage (a special journey) is held every year on the first Sunday of May. This is to honor the patron saints, San Justo and San Pastor. This pilgrimage started in 1965 when the chapel was built. Before that, people used to celebrate "Compadre Thursday" as a family day in the countryside. This tradition slowly changed to the new pilgrimage. You can only visit the chapel on that special day for the Holy Mass.

The chapel itself doesn't have much historical value because it's new and its architecture is simple. However, it's in a beautiful natural setting. At the foot of the hill is the Oven Tejero reservoir, which makes the landscape even richer with plants and animals.

The chapel is made of stone and mortar, with a square shape and a red clay tile roof. It's mostly closed off, but there's a large opening with an iron gate on the west side. There are also small round windows on the north and south sides. At the entrance, there's a stone and mortar cover. On the north side, there's a small bell tower.

To reach this new building on top of the hill, the owners of the land created a new path through the bushes. This path allows pilgrims and faithful people to access the chapel on the first Sunday of May each year.

How many people live here?

Today, the population is around 1,009 people. In the past, before many people moved away from rural Extremadura in the 1960s, the population was over 2,000.

In recent years, the number of people living here has stayed about the same. Many people from smaller towns like Cordobilla de Lácara move to bigger cities like Cáceres, Badajoz, and Mérida. They often go there to find work.

However, a new type of movement is happening now. Unlike the 1960s, when people moved far away to other countries like Germany and France, people now move to closer cities. This means that on weekends and in the summer, more people come back to Cordobilla de Lácara, making the population seem to grow temporarily.

Here's how the population of Cordobilla de Lácara has changed over the years:

• 1900: 1,049
• 1910: 1,213
• 1920: 1,341
• 1930: 1,762
• 1940: 1,808
• 1950: 2,123
• 1960: 2,167
• 1970: 1,383
• 1981: 1,045
• 1991: 975
• 1994: 1,014
• 1998: 1,030
• 2000: 1,038
• 2001: 1,047
• 2002: 1,026
• 2003: 1,030
• 2004: 1,048
• 2005: 1,023
• 2006: 1,008
• 2007: 1,010

What about the reservoirs?

In the late 1970s, plans were approved to build two reservoirs near Cordobilla de Lácara. These reservoirs, called Embalse de Horno Tejero and Embalse del Boquerón, were opened in 1985. They changed the landscape, creating two large lakes in the middle of the nearby grasslands.

These reservoirs provide water to the Commonwealth of the Northern Lácara, which includes Cordobilla de Lácara. You can't sail on them, and swimming is not allowed. The main fish you'll find there are carp, pike, and black bass.

Even though they are close to Cordobilla de Lácara, these reservoirs also cross into the areas of Mérida and Cáceres. The reservoirs have helped new plants and animals grow in the area. This has made the natural environment even richer. They have also encouraged new activities like fishing and hiking.

What is the culture like?

Food and traditions

The typical dishes of Extremadura include boiled Extremadura stew, lamb stew, gazpacho (a cold soup), and Extremadura crumbs (a dish made from bread). A special tradition is the "slaughter" of pigs. This provides local meats like sausage, pork, and ham. For sweets, people enjoy perrunillas (cookies), threads, and bores lamp (types of pastries).

Festivals and celebrations

Easter

During Easter, there's a tradition called "The Alabarderos." These are people who guard the holy statues and walk with them in processions. These processions happen on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

The Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage takes place on the first Sunday of May. It's held on private land called Square-El Santo, with permission from the owners. The pilgrimage honors the patron saints, Justo and Pastor, who were child martyrs. This tradition started in 1965 when the chapel was built and a road was made to access it.

Before this, Cordobilla de Lácara didn't have a place for a pilgrimage like other nearby villages. People used to celebrate "Compadre Thursday" as a family day in the countryside. This changed in the 1960s when the idea of a popular pilgrimage grew.

With the owners' permission, the chapel was built in 1965. This allowed the pilgrimage to happen every first Sunday in May. The day before the pilgrimage, there are village festivities. These include children's games, sack races, pig races, and horse shows. On Saturday night, there's a festival in the town square. The statues of San Justo and San Pastor are displayed from the open doors of the parish church.

On Sunday morning, around 9 AM, the statues of the "Santitos" (little saints) are carried in their carriage through the decorated streets. Many people follow, along with a band. They walk about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the chapel in El Santo. Many faithful people, pilgrims, horses, and carriages follow the carriage.

When they arrive at the chapel around 12 PM, a Mass is held for the pilgrims. After the Mass, the pilgrimage continues in the pasture with a popular festival.

It's a tradition for each family or group to gather under an oak tree. Each group's spot under an oak tree is called a "ranch." These "ranches" are the main part of the pilgrimage. There are no fairground booths or activities allowed. People visit each other's oak trees, greeting neighbors, eating, drinking, and dancing. This family atmosphere is still kept alive today, making Cordobilla's pilgrimage very traditional.

As the sun sets, around 8 PM, the pilgrimage ends. The pilgrims walk behind the carriage carrying the Santitos back to the town, singing and listening to music.

When they reach the town square at night, the people of Cordobilla lift the statues of the saints on their shoulders. They carry them into the parish church. It's a very emotional moment, full of songs and feelings.

A group of volunteer neighbors called the "Commission on the pilgrimage" organizes everything. They prepare the statues, clean the chapel and meadow, arrange the festival, and get all the necessary permissions. This group was formed when the pilgrimage started in 1965.

The Commission doesn't receive any government money. They organize events throughout the year to raise funds to keep the pilgrimage going. Thanks to these volunteers, the festival has continued and become more important locally.

The Santitos Festival

The main town festival, also called "The Santitos," runs from August 5th to 8th. August 6th is the special day for San Justo and San Pastor.

In the past, August 4th was a Cattle Fair. Locals and visitors would buy and sell livestock. But as traditional farming changed, this fair stopped being held.

Christmas Eve (December 24)

On Christmas Eve, the young people of the town build a big bonfire in the town square. Everyone gathers there with their families.

Another local tradition was "Thursday's Friend." This was a picnic where families would spend the day under the oak trees. This tradition was lost in the 1960s after the chapel for San Justo and San Pastor was built.

On "Compadre Thursday," families would drive or walk to nearby fields where people from Cordobilla worked. They would spend the day together among the cork and oak trees. In the evening, each group would return to the town. They would meet all the neighbors in the village and continue the festivities.

Traditional weddings still include a "chocolate" gathering. Days before the wedding, the families of the couple, helped by close relatives, invite people to enjoy traditional chocolate and handmade sweets. In the past, a special dance called the "Dagger" or "Jack" was performed at weddings. While dancing, guests would give gifts to the newlyweds.

After the wedding celebration, any leftover homemade sweets are shared with family and guests.

Carnival has a long history in Cordobilla de Lácara, with parades and people wearing masks. There are carnival parades where groups of people dress up and march. During this pre-Lent festival, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated. This day was known as "day of water." On this day, boys would carry buckets of water and try to splash girls. Neighbors would have water fights in every street of the village.

Olive Oil Production

In Cordobilla, there's a cooperative called "The Lácara" Country Co-operative Society Ltd. It started its main work, focusing on olive oil, in 1984. At that time, it was hard to produce and sell olive oil in the area. So, a small group of growers decided to buy an old olive mill. Many mills used to operate in the town at the same time. They turned it into a cooperative. Over time, almost all local olive producers joined "The Lácara" Cooperative. Today, it has about 300 members. This means the cooperative is a very important part of the town's economy. Almost all families in Cordobilla are directly or indirectly involved with growing olives and making oil. All the olives harvested in the area are processed at the cooperative's mill.

All members must bring their olives to the cooperative's mill. They also contribute a part of their production to help fund the cooperative. This money helps with maintenance and making the mill more modern. This contribution is based on how much each member produces. It's called the cooperative's "Capital." This capital has allowed the cooperative to use modern methods for turning olives into oil.

In 1997, a big change began for the olive groves in Cordobilla de Lácara. All the groves that were part of "The Lácara" Cooperative started to become ORGANIC OLIVE GROVES. This means they can only use products approved for organic farming. Because of this, the oil is now certified as organic. It's the largest area in Extremadura producing organic olive oil.

The "Verdial" olive variety is the most common in the area. This is where the "Verdial Lácara" oil gets its name. This type of olive tree is very good at handling dry weather and doesn't need a lot of humidity to ripen. The harvest happens from mid-November to late December. This makes it perfect for the land and climate of Badajoz province. The olives are long and have a high oil content, reaching up to 22% in Cordobilla de Lácara. The fruit also has a good amount of flesh compared to its pit. This means the olives can be used for eating or for making oil. Oils from the Verdial olive are sweet and fruity. Because they are organic and harvested carefully (never touching the ground), Verdial Lácara oil has very low acidity, making it an "Extra Virgin" oil.

Olive oil production is one of the biggest parts of the town's economy. This is due to the large areas of olive groves in the south of the town. Today, 100% of the olive oil produced is organic. There are two types: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Green Olive Oil.

The olive harvest usually starts in mid-December. At this time, the mill opens to receive the olives. The olives are processed using modern methods in a continuous system. The old ways of grinding with rollers and hydraulic presses are gone. The cooperative started with these old methods in the mid-1980s when the founders bought an old mill. By mid-January, depending on the harvest size, the first organic liters of oil begin to be produced. In a normal year, the mill usually processes about one million kilograms of olives. In very good years, like 2009 and 2010, it can process over two million kilograms.

The Lácara cooperative and the organic production rules in Extremadura make sure that the olives are harvested and processed very carefully. The olives picked each day are brought to the mill at the same time. They are also separated by how they were picked (from the tree or from the ground) to ensure quality and low acidity in the final oil.

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil "Verdial Lácara" is considered one of the best in the world in its category. It has received international awards in recent years:

• First Prize for Extra Virgin Olive Oil from organic cultivation in Extremadura, in 2002.
• Third Prize at the First National Extra Virgin Olive Oil from organic cultivation, at the Seventh Exhibition of Ecological Agriculture in Córdoba in 2002.
• Winner of the best organic oils in the world at BIOFACH 2010. This is the most important fair for organic products in Europe, held yearly in Nuremberg, Germany.

These awards have helped the oil be sold not just in Spain but also internationally. France is one of the main markets. This change is also due to the growing interest in natural and organic products around the world.

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See also

In Spanish: Cordobilla de Lácara para niños