Esparragalejo

Municipality in Extremadura, Spain

Flag

38°56′37″N 6°26′12″W / 38.94361°N 6.43667°W / 38.94361; -6.43667Country

SpainAutonomous Community

ExtremaduraProvinceBadajozComarcaTierra de Mérida - Vegas BajasGovernment

• MayorJosé Francisco Ramírez Vadillo (PP-EU)Area

• Total17 km² (7 sq mi)Elevation

(AMSL)

231 m (758 ft)Population

(2018)^[1]

• Total1,459 • Density86/km² (220/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST (GMT +2))Postal code

06860

Area code+34 (Spain) + 924 (Badajoz)Websitewww.esparragalejo.es

Esparragalejo (Spanish pronunciation: [es.pa.ra.ɣaˈle.xo]) is a municipality of Spain in the province of Badajoz, autonomous region of Extremadura.

Located about 8 miles from Mérida, it is known for its unique Roman 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, 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.

Origin of name

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.