Tomatoes
Miajadas, tomato capital
The town of Miajadas, in the south of the province of Cáceres, is closed linked to irrigated land, where rice and tomato growing play key roles. Tomatoes are the main driver of its economy thanks to the cultivation of this fruit and its use by the various tomato factories that produce tomato products that can be found in nearly every pantry.
The success of its production and the high quality of Miajadas tomatoes lies in the climatology of the area and soil conditions. There are currently four tomato harvesting and processing factories and three agricultural cooperatives in the town, the direct source of hundreds of jobs and much more indirect employment.
The tomato is so representative of the town that it is considered the ‘tomato capital’, which is reflected as soon as you arrive there, with a sculpture of a huge tomato at the entrance.
The sculpture is the work of Miguel Ángel Martín Gallardo, an artist from Málaga, who submitted a model of a realistic giant tomato, 5.5 metres in diameter, on a 12-meter base.
Miajadas also enjoys a rich culinary tradition based on this fruit. While there, you must try the gazpacho and other tomato soups, made using recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation among locals, and it is also advisable to visit around 24 July, when the Tomato Festival is held, a large event based around culinary tastings and open-air parties.
Take advantage to learn about the town’s varied artistic heritage. Highlights include the Parish Church of Santiago Apóstol and the Baroque Church of Nuestra Señora de Belén, as well as the Casillas-Tres Palacios palace. The Hermitage of San Bartolomé lies on the outskirts of the town and is part of a great local tradition due to the pilgrimage celebrated there each year.
If you like Tomatoes you will like this too...
Liqueurs
In addition to the export of the fruits, with several million cherries every year, in 1989 the Jerte Valley Cooperatives Group began to distil che
Figs
Spain is the largest fig producer in Western Europe and, by region, Extremadura is leader in area and cultivation of fig trees.
Ribera del Guadiana
The PDO Ribera del Guadiana is present in two provinces of Extremadura; in the province of Cáceres, it includes the areas of Montánchez, Trujillo
Mushrooms
The world of mushrooms and fungi represents a real universe in the province of Cáceres.
More things you can find in Cáceres
Monumental city of Cáceres
The topography plays an important role in the urban development of Cáceres, as the city stands on uneven ground, between the Sierra de la Mosca mou
Festivals of Tourist Interest
The province of Cáceres is home to one Festival of International Tourist Interest and two festivals declared as being of National Tourist Interest.
Old Town of Cáceres
The decree declaring Cáceres as a Monumental Site was published on 21 January 1949, and in 1986 UNESCO included the Old Town of Cáceres in its list