Esparragalejo () is a municipality of Spain in the province of

Badajoz Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portugal, Portuguese Portugal–Spain border, border, on the left bank of the river ...

, autonomous region of

Extremadura Extremadura ( ; ; ; ; Fala language, Fala: ''Extremaúra'') is a landlocked autonomous communities in Spain, autonomous community of Spain. Its capital city is Mérida, Spain, Mérida, and its largest city is Badajoz. Located in the central- ...

. Located about 13 km from Mérida, it is known for its unique

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

multiple arch buttress dam, the Esparragalejo Dam, its two natural lagoons, and its religious festivals. During the festivities to honor the town's

patron saint A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy or Oriental Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, fa ...

, the Virgin of Good Health (''Virgen de la Salud''), its inhabitants come to the cathedral to witness the one-hour Mass and then occupy the streets completely. The townspeople take to the streets to put on a procession, to play music, and to put on shows for the town's children.

Etymology

The name Esparragalejo refers to the communal pastureland known as the Esparragal. A diminutive suffix was added to the town name because the town remained small for many centuries.

References

Municipalities in the Province of Badajoz {{Badajoz-geo-stub

Etymology

See also

References