Hornachos
Encyclopedia
Hornachos is a municipality located in the province of Badajoz
, Extremadura
, Spain
. According to the 2005 census
(INE
), the municipality has a population of 3,840 inhabitants.
and the Bronze Age
, around 2,000-3000 BCE.
The city was occupied during the Roman period and it was then when it received the name of Fornacis due to the iron mines and where the name 'Hornachos' ultimately derives. Archaeological evidence ( Hornachuelos Oppidum) shows that the site had certain importance in Emerita Augusta
during the Second and First Century BCE.
During the Visigoths time the tradition sets Hornachos as the refugee of Saint Hermenegild when escaping from his father, King Leovigild.
The defensive fortress
crowning the village was built during th Al-Andalus
period. In 1234 Hornachos was occupied by the Order of Santiago
, as a land grant
by Ferdinand III of Castile
, However, this was not originally a cause concern for the majority Muslim -then Morisco
after 1502- population. Nevertheless, at the end of the 16th century the village was surrounded by a wall and there were more than 10,000 inhabitants, being the most important Morisco centre in Spain. On April 9, 1609, King Philip III of Spain
decreed the expulsion of the Moriscos
. The village underwent a period of decline.
These moriscos refugees settled in Morocco, near Bou Regreg
and Salé
(modern-day Rabat
), and went on to create a small independent maritime republic, known as the Republic of Bou Regreg, which was a haven for corsair
activity in the region.
Nowadays the village keeps the heritage from the past in its steep streets following the Moorish building schemes as it is shown in places as Ribera, San Francisco, Chamorro,Peña, Enfermería o Plata, Tellada, Larga, Gata, Nogueras, etc.
Other of the most relevant monuments of Hornachos is the Church of the Purísima Concepción, a mudejar
work which stands as a unique example in the region and which has been recently declared Monument of Historical and Artistic Interest in Extremadura.
. The church tower has 24 spaces, 6 in each side.
Convent
of San Ildefonso, founded in 1526 by Charles I of Spain, and which keeps a rich set of altarpieces, paintings and sculptures. In its facade, nowadays very damaged, still displays the original imperial coat of arms of Charles I.
An important site is the Church of the Remedios, built in XVI and remodeled in 1892, surrounded by a beautiful square covered by palm trees and where the festivities of September are celebrated.
Very relevant within the Hornachos’ monuments are its traditional fountains as Los Moros, Los Cristianos, Palomas, Cuatro Caños, Ribera, San Francisco, Almagrera, Maxicaco, San Roque, Santa, Nueva, etc.
El Pósito, situated in the outskirts of the village, was used by the moriscos as a mosque
and it has been recently restored.
The main rivers which flow along the area are the Palomillas river and the Matachel .
The most characteristic elements of the landscape is the dehesa or meadow of holm-oaks and cork oak
s. The rest has a Mediterranean vegetation, characterized by drought-resistant plants, commonly reduced to scrub status (matorral
). Some common plants are also the retama sphaerocarpa, the genista hirsuta, the erica australis and the narrow-leaved cistus
.
Dehesa
In the highest part of the Sierra the Juniperus oxycedrus
appears with great splendor. There are more than 600 ha.
inside the protected area ZEC-ZEPA. Whithin this area a curious plant, the Erodium mouretii
, grows being an endemic species only present in some spots of Extremadura, Andalusia
and Northern Morocco.
The Spanish imperial eagle
and other large birds such as the vulture
, the eagle owl, the buzzard
, the falcon
, the kite
are native of these mountains. During autumn and winter the Sierra also becomes the shelter for migrant birds such as the European robin
or the pyrrhula
.
The association ADENEX is responsible for a Natural Reserve and research centre in this location.
Finally another appealing natural spot is the reservoir of Los Molinos.
One of the most important is the Candelas, celebrated on the 2nd February. The inhabitants gather around huge bonfire
s, where is thought that all the evil spirits and the previous bad experiences are burnt.
In February Hornachos celebrates the carnival
, the merrymaking and festivity that takes place in the last days and hours before the Lenten season. Home-made and elaborate costumes, parades, parties and various other festivities mark such celebration.
The Holy Week
, the week between Palm Sunday
and Easter
, is observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the passion of Jesus Christ beginning with the traditional blessing and procession of palms and olive branches. The end of celebration is on Easter Sunday when the traditional white cakes are blessed.
On 15 May, San Isidro, Hornachos begins a feast full of popular traditions where all the inhabitants share a nice country day to eat and drink with their neighbours.
The religious festivity of San Juan is celebrated on 24 June, where the Night of the Fire- the Night of the Water takes place. People wet their heads in the San Francisco basin, with the belief that they will not suffer headaches till the following year.
In the middle of August, the Emigrant feast is hold dedicated to the ones who had to abandon their village and who usually return on this date.
However the most important festivity begins 8 September, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, patroness of Hornachos, where the whole village organizes parties, shows and encierro
s (“enclosing”) of the bulls, when they are driven through the streets behind crowds of skillfully dodging men and boys.
Badajoz (province)
The province of Badajoz is a province of western Spain located in the autonomous community of Extremadura. It was formed in 1833. It is bordered by the provinces of Cáceres, Toledo, Ciudad Real, Córdoba, Seville, and Huelva, and by Portugal....
, Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. According to the 2005 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
(INE
Instituto Nacional de Estadística (Spain)
The National Institute of Statistics is the official organisation in Spain that collects statistics about demography, economy, and Spanish society. Every 10 years, this organisation conducts a national census. The last census took place in 2001....
), the municipality has a population of 3,840 inhabitants.
History
The first human settlements in the mountain range of Hornachos are dated from prehistoric times as showed by the cave paintings in the quartzite rocks. These paintings were made between the NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
and the Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
, around 2,000-3000 BCE.
The city was occupied during the Roman period and it was then when it received the name of Fornacis due to the iron mines and where the name 'Hornachos' ultimately derives. Archaeological evidence ( Hornachuelos Oppidum) shows that the site had certain importance in Emerita Augusta
Emerita Augusta
The Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida is one of the largest and most extensive archaeological sites in Spain. Mainly of Emerita Augusta, ancient capital of Lusitania . It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993....
during the Second and First Century BCE.
During the Visigoths time the tradition sets Hornachos as the refugee of Saint Hermenegild when escaping from his father, King Leovigild.
The defensive fortress
Alcazaba
An alcazaba , alcáçova or alcassaba is a Moorish fortification in Spain and Portugal. The word derives from the Arabic word القصبة , a walled-fortification in a city....
crowning the village was built during th Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
period. In 1234 Hornachos was occupied by the Order of Santiago
Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago was founded in the 12th century, and owes its name to the national patron of Galicia and Spain, Santiago , under whose banner the Christians of Galicia and Asturias began in the 9th century to combat and drive back the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.-History:Santiago de...
, as a land grant
Land grant
A land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
by Ferdinand III of Castile
Ferdinand III of Castile
Saint Ferdinand III, T.O.S.F., was the King of Castile from 1217 and León from 1230. He was the son of Alfonso IX of León and Berenguela of Castile. Through his second marriage he was also Count of Aumale. He finished the work done by his maternal grandfather Alfonso VIII and consolidated the...
, However, this was not originally a cause concern for the majority Muslim -then Morisco
Morisco
Moriscos or Mouriscos , meaning "Moorish", were the converted Christian inhabitants of Spain and Portugal of Muslim heritage. Over time the term was used in a pejorative sense applied to those nominal Catholics who were suspected of secretly practicing Islam.-Demographics:By the beginning of the...
after 1502- population. Nevertheless, at the end of the 16th century the village was surrounded by a wall and there were more than 10,000 inhabitants, being the most important Morisco centre in Spain. On April 9, 1609, King Philip III of Spain
Philip III of Spain
Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
decreed the expulsion of the Moriscos
Expulsion of the Moriscos
On April 9, 1609, King Philip III of Spain decreed the Expulsion of the Moriscos . The Moriscos were the descendants of the Muslim population that converted to Christianity under threat of exile from Ferdinand and Isabella in 1502...
. The village underwent a period of decline.
These moriscos refugees settled in Morocco, near Bou Regreg
Bou Regreg
The Bou Regreg is a river located in western Morocco which discharges to the Atlantic Ocean between the cities of Rabat and Salé. The estuary of this river is termed Wadi Sala....
and Salé
Salé
Salé is a city in north-western Morocco, on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river, opposite the national capital Rabat, for which it serves as a commuter town...
(modern-day Rabat
Rabat
Rabat , is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco with a population of approximately 650,000...
), and went on to create a small independent maritime republic, known as the Republic of Bou Regreg, which was a haven for corsair
Corsair
Corsairs were privateers, authorized to conduct raids on shipping of a nation at war with France, on behalf of the French Crown. Seized vessels and cargo were sold at auction, with the corsair captain entitled to a portion of the proceeds...
activity in the region.
Nowadays the village keeps the heritage from the past in its steep streets following the Moorish building schemes as it is shown in places as Ribera, San Francisco, Chamorro,Peña, Enfermería o Plata, Tellada, Larga, Gata, Nogueras, etc.
Sites of Interest
The most characteristic and outstanding site of Hornachos is its castle built on the top of the hill by the berbers in the 9th century and whose remains observe the daily life of the hornachegos.Other of the most relevant monuments of Hornachos is the Church of the Purísima Concepción, a mudejar
Mudéjar
Mudéjar is the name given to individual Moors or Muslims of Al-Andalus who remained in Iberia after the Christian Reconquista but were not converted to Christianity...
work which stands as a unique example in the region and which has been recently declared Monument of Historical and Artistic Interest in Extremadura.
Purísima Concepción Church
The building is characterised by the use of brick as the main material and the dominant geometrical character, distinctly Islamic, emerged conspicuously in the accessory crafts using cheap materials elaborately worked—tilework, brickwork, wood carving, plaster carving, and ornamental metals. The tiling patterns stand out as the Ferdinand and Isabella coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
. The church tower has 24 spaces, 6 in each side.
Other landmarks
Other landmarks include the FranciscanFranciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Convent
Convent
A convent is either a community of priests, religious brothers, religious sisters, or nuns, or the building used by the community, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion...
of San Ildefonso, founded in 1526 by Charles I of Spain, and which keeps a rich set of altarpieces, paintings and sculptures. In its facade, nowadays very damaged, still displays the original imperial coat of arms of Charles I.
An important site is the Church of the Remedios, built in XVI and remodeled in 1892, surrounded by a beautiful square covered by palm trees and where the festivities of September are celebrated.
Very relevant within the Hornachos’ monuments are its traditional fountains as Los Moros, Los Cristianos, Palomas, Cuatro Caños, Ribera, San Francisco, Almagrera, Maxicaco, San Roque, Santa, Nueva, etc.
El Pósito, situated in the outskirts of the village, was used by the moriscos as a mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
and it has been recently restored.
Geography: Flora and Fauna
The Hornachos mountain range constitutes the southerner mountains of the Central Sierras of Badajoz. The most important formations are the Sierra Grande and the Sierra de los Pinos with a maximum height of 951 m in the Hornachos Hill.The main rivers which flow along the area are the Palomillas river and the Matachel .
The most characteristic elements of the landscape is the dehesa or meadow of holm-oaks and cork oak
Cork Oak
Quercus suber, commonly called the Cork Oak, is a medium-sized, evergreen oak tree in the section Quercus sect. Cerris. It is the primary source of cork for wine bottle stoppers and other uses, such as cork flooring. It is native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa.It grows to up to 20 m,...
s. The rest has a Mediterranean vegetation, characterized by drought-resistant plants, commonly reduced to scrub status (matorral
Matorral
Matorral is a Spanish word, along with tomillares, for shrubland, thicket or bushes. It is used in naming and describing a Mediterranean climate ecosystem in Southern Europe.-Mediterranean region:...
). Some common plants are also the retama sphaerocarpa, the genista hirsuta, the erica australis and the narrow-leaved cistus
Cistus monspeliensis
Cistus monspeliensis is a species of rockrose known by the common name Montpelier cistus. It is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, in the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub ecosystems of matorral—maquis shrublands.-Description:...
.
DehesaDehesa (pastoral management)Dehesa is a type of wooded pastureland found in the Iberian peninsula, used for the grazing of livestock...
In the highest part of the Sierra the Juniperus oxycedrusJuniperus oxycedrus
Juniperus oxycedrus is a species of juniper, native across the Mediterranean region from Morocco and Portugal, north to southern France, east to westernmost Iran, and south to Lebanon and Israel, growing on a variety of rocky sites from sea level up...
appears with great splendor. There are more than 600 ha.
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
inside the protected area ZEC-ZEPA. Whithin this area a curious plant, the Erodium mouretii
Erodium
Erodium is a genus of the botanical family Geraniaceae. The genus includes about 60 species, for the most part originating in the Mediterranean or Western Asian regions...
, grows being an endemic species only present in some spots of Extremadura, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
and Northern Morocco.
Sierra
The Sierra is the ideal setting for plentiful animal life, being outstanding the great variety of birds of prey. Within the ZEC-ZEPA area more than 228 different species have been found, a high number if we take into account the limited zone (12,000 ha).The Spanish imperial eagle
Spanish Imperial Eagle
The Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian Imperial Eagle or Adalbert's Eagle is a threatened species of eagle that only occurs in central and south-west Spain, adjacent areas of Portugal and possibly northern Morocco, although the latter is disputed...
and other large birds such as the vulture
Vulture
Vulture is the name given to two groups of convergently evolved scavenging birds, the New World Vultures including the well-known Californian and Andean Condors, and the Old World Vultures including the birds which are seen scavenging on carcasses of dead animals on African plains...
, the eagle owl, the buzzard
Buzzard
A buzzard is one of several large birds, but there are a number of meanings as detailed below.-Old World:In the Old World Buzzard can mean:* One of several medium-sized, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings....
, the falcon
Falcon
A falcon is any species of raptor in the genus Falco. The genus contains 37 species, widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America....
, the kite
Kite
A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...
are native of these mountains. During autumn and winter the Sierra also becomes the shelter for migrant birds such as the European robin
European Robin
The European Robin , most commonly known in Anglophone Europe simply as the Robin, is a small insectivorous passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family , but is now considered to be an Old World flycatcher...
or the pyrrhula
Pyrrhula
Pyrrhula is a small genus of passerine birds, commonly called Bullfinches, belonging to the finch family .The genus has a palearctic distribution. All species occur in Asia with two species exclusively in the Himalayas and one species, P. pyrrhula, also occurring in Europe. The Azores Bullfinch...
.
The association ADENEX is responsible for a Natural Reserve and research centre in this location.
Finally another appealing natural spot is the reservoir of Los Molinos.
Feast And Traditions
Most of the festivities which take place in Hornachos have their origin in religious traditions.One of the most important is the Candelas, celebrated on the 2nd February. The inhabitants gather around huge bonfire
Bonfire
A bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
s, where is thought that all the evil spirits and the previous bad experiences are burnt.
In February Hornachos celebrates the carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
, the merrymaking and festivity that takes place in the last days and hours before the Lenten season. Home-made and elaborate costumes, parades, parties and various other festivities mark such celebration.
The Holy Week
Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter...
, the week between Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a Christian moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in all four Canonical Gospels. ....
and Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
, is observed with special solemnity as a time of devotion to the passion of Jesus Christ beginning with the traditional blessing and procession of palms and olive branches. The end of celebration is on Easter Sunday when the traditional white cakes are blessed.
On 15 May, San Isidro, Hornachos begins a feast full of popular traditions where all the inhabitants share a nice country day to eat and drink with their neighbours.
The religious festivity of San Juan is celebrated on 24 June, where the Night of the Fire- the Night of the Water takes place. People wet their heads in the San Francisco basin, with the belief that they will not suffer headaches till the following year.
In the middle of August, the Emigrant feast is hold dedicated to the ones who had to abandon their village and who usually return on this date.
However the most important festivity begins 8 September, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, patroness of Hornachos, where the whole village organizes parties, shows and encierro
Encierro
The Running of the Bulls is a practice that involves running in front of a small group of bulls that have been let loose, on a course of a sectioned-off subset of a town's streets...
s (“enclosing”) of the bulls, when they are driven through the streets behind crowds of skillfully dodging men and boys.