Villanueva de la Serena

Villanueva de la Serena
city
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): La Villa (the village)
Motto: Puerta soy de La Serena (gate I am, of La Serena)
Villanueva de la Serena Location in Spain.
Coordinates:
Government
• Mayor	Miguel Ángel Mirando Gallardas (PSOE)
Area
• Total	152 km2 (94.392 sq mi)
Elevation	280 m (918 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	26,111
Website	www.villanuevadelaserena.es

Villanueva de la Serena is a city in the Province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. It has a population of 26,111 (2010) and forms part of a larger urban area with the neighbouring town of Don Benito.

Founded in the thirteenth century as Aldeanueva de Medellín, the city was an important centre for the Mesta in the Middle Ages. It was the birthplace of Pedro de Valdivia who conquered Chile for the Spanish crown.

Location

Located in the county of Vegas Altas, Villanueva itself is the main gate of La Serena, another county of Extremadura to which it historically belongs. It is separated by only 5 km from Don Benito, forming Villanueva de la Serena-Don Benito, an urban agglomeration of around 60.000 inhabitants, making one of the most important agricultural, industrial and services centres in Extremadura. Mérida (capital of Extremadura) and Badajoz (biggest city in the region) are respectively 58 and 116 km from Villanueva de la Serena.

The natural trail (green way) of Vegas del Guadiana or "Vía Verde de las Vegas del Guadiana y las Villuercas" begins in this city.

Data

José Manuel Calderón, First NBA player from the community of Extremadura.

New York Knicks player José Calderón was born in Villanueva de la Serena.

La Carrerita, a festivity of cultural interest, is celebrated in this city every last Sunday in the Easter week.