Almendralejo, the nerve centre of Tierra de Barros, gets its name from its original settlement, on land full of almond trees.
Archaeological remains testify to the presence of inhabitants in Almendralejo since the most remote times, but it was founded with a settlement by the Order of Santiago after the reconquest, perhaps in the 13th century.
Examples of its heritage include the parish church of La Purificación, built in the 16th century on an earlier church. It has a baroque tower, and beautiful Gothic-Renaissance portals with epigraphic and Plateresque ornamentation. There is also convent of Clarisas nuns of Ntra. Sra. del Amparo founded in the 16th century; it has a modest exterior, although its interior is complex and full of interesting corners. Its nuns make exquisite handmade sweets. Opposite, you find the Franciscan convent of San Antonio, built in 1652, declared of Historic Artistic Interest. Some hermitages round up the religious architecture. Almendralejo's monument ensemble is complete with several manor houses.It is famous for"las candelas", a festival declared of regional interest for tourism, held on 1 and 2 February. "Pantarujas", representing the evil spirits, are burned.