Torre de Miguel Sesmero Facts for Kids

A huge solar power plant is being built here. It will be the second largest in Europe! This plant helps the town create clean energy and protect our planet.

The town is part of the "Ruta de las Cruces" (Route of the Crosses). This route helps people learn about the old chapels, churches, and religious buildings in the Llanos de Olivenza region. Torre de Miguel Sesmero is also in the Olivenza legal district.

History of Torre de Miguel Sesmero
Important Places to See
Famous People from Torre de Miguel Sesmero
Traditions and Celebrations
See also

History of Torre de Miguel Sesmero

The town of Torre de Miguel Sesmero might have started with the Celts. They may have called it Saluxtogi about 2,600 years ago. Later, the Romans settled here and gave it a new name: Turrilux.

How the Town Got Its Name

Stories say the town's name comes from a tower. This tower was built to protect the people during wars against Portugal. After these wars, the town became empty for a while.

Another story says that in medieval times, a man named Don Miguel Pico found a treasure in the town's land. Don Miguel was a "sexmero," which meant he dealt with land. So, the town was named after him when people moved back to live there. In 1531, only 332 people lived in the town.

The name might also come from a tower that stood near the town square. This tower was likely part of a fort. The fort was taken down around 1841.

The town was once known as Tower's Almendral. This was because it depended on the nearby village of Almendral. These two villages had a competition in the 7th century, but not much is known about it.

Torre de Miguel Sesmero was officially founded in the 14th century, around the year 1392. This is when it got its current name. Old documents show that the land of the village belonged to the Bishop of Badajoz.

In 1635, the town was given the title of "Villa" (a type of town). This happened after they paid 11,000 ducats to King Felipe IV. In 1465, the town joined with Almendral under the Ducado de Feria.

Wars and Changes

Between September and October 1643, Portuguese soldiers tried to attack Badajoz. But they decided to attack smaller border towns instead, including Torre de Miguel Sesmero. This caused a lot of fear. Many villagers left the town and the surrounding area.

After the end of Francisco Franco's rule, the town became part of the Extremadura region. Since 1834, it has been part of the Olivenza legal district.

In 1842, a count showed that the town had 259 homes and 970 people. The town officially adopted its coat of arms on February 27, 1986.

Torre de Miguel Sesmero was also important in workers' rights. In 1902, one of the first Workers' Congresses happened here. This meeting led to strikes by workers who wanted better working conditions. The town was a center for federal Republicans. You can read more about this in the book Press and rural republicanism in Badajoz twentieth century. Memory chips.. by Manuel Díaz Ordóñez and Maria Jesus Milan Agudo.

People Who Traveled to America

Vicente Navarro del Castillo said that 14 people from Torre de Miguel Sesmero went to help conquer America. One of the most important was Bartolomé Martínez Menacho. He held important church positions in Lima (Peru), Panama, and Bogotá (Colombia).

Many people traveled to America when it was first discovered. Here are some others from Torre de Miguel Sesmero who went:

Pedro Benitez: He got permission to travel to India on April 12, 1527.
Juan de Cabal: He got permission to go to India on August 18, 1517.
Pedro Carvajal: He was very poor. He went to Mexico and married a relative of Alonso Stewart. In 1547, he wanted to move to Peru with his family.
Alonso Gallego: At 36 years old, he went to Costa Rica in 1575.
Alonso Gonzalez: He got permission to go to Santo Domingo on September 15, 1536.
Martin Gutierrez: At 25 years old, he went to Costa Rica in 1575.

Important Places to See

The Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.
Parish Church Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria: This church was built in the late 16th century. It stands on the site of an older church from the 14th century.
Chapel of the Holy Christ of Mercy: This chapel is near the church and has a Moorish style.
Chapel of San Isidro: This chapel has a modern design. It was built where an older chapel, called the Holy Spirit, and the old cemetery used to be.
Ermita de la Langosta: There is a legend about this chapel. It says that a divine power helped stop a plague that was destroying the fields.
Cross Almendral: This stone monument from the 16th century has a cross at the top. It is located at the west end of town. It was once the closest point to Almendral and where old processions from that village would arrive.
The Turret: Near the church, there was a fort that was taken down in 1841. Today, a tower from that fort still stands among the houses.
Olive Oil Mill: This mill was built in the 18th century. It was made for a Carmelite convent in Badajoz. People sometimes mistake it for a convent itself.
Lagoons: Laguna Grande and El Carril are two lagoons nearby. They are part of the Albuera lagoon system. In the past, people used them for fishing, watering livestock, and walking.
Fountains, Albercones, and Streams: There are two main fountains: one in the Village Square and another in the northeast part of town. There are also four smaller water pipes. The Hawk Creek runs along the eastern edge of the town.

Famous People from Torre de Miguel Sesmero

Bartolomé Martínez Menacho: He became a Bishop in Panama and an Archbishop in Bogotá.
Bartolomé Torres Naharro: A well-known writer from Spain's Golden Age.
Juan Barjola: A famous modern painter.

Traditions and Celebrations

The town has many fun traditions:

Every Christmas, the town puts on a live nativity scene in the streets.
They hold Medieval Markets.
The Matanza is a traditional event related to pig farming.
People go on Country pilgrimages.
The town celebrates various Festivals.
There are also Amateur dramatics performances.

Torre de Miguel Sesmero facts for kids

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