There are archaeological remains that date back to the pre-Roman period (2nd century BC - 1st century AD). This is evidenced by the Oppidum of Hornachuelos (possibly the ancient Fornacis mentioned by Ptolemy). Also, the location of the Túrdula mint of Balleia within its term. [+ info]

There are archaeological remains that date back to the pre-Roman period (2nd century BC - 1st century AD). This is evidenced by the Oppidum of Hornachuelos (possibly the ancient Fornacis mentioned by Ptolemy). Also, the location of the Túrdula mint of Balleia within its term.

Likewise, the presence of Visigothic remains in the area suggests probable settlements dating back to the 5th century.

It was repopulated in the 13th century by the Order of the Knights of Santiago. It was then called Ribera, of the Order of Santiago, Partido de Llerena and province of León (headquarters of the Order). The first written reference dates back to 1257, in the transfer of lands to the priory of San Marcos de León, for the foundation by charter of Puebla del Prior. From the 13th century onwards, it is mentioned in documents as Ribera del Fresno.

According to tradition, its name is attributed to a large ash tree existing on the banks of the Valdemedel Stream, where the population is located.

Currently, Ribera del Fresno reflects an important urban restructuring carried out during the 17th and 18th centuries, where the typical popular architecture of Tierra de Barros stands out, embodied in the whitewashed white houses whose facades are adorned with beautiful iron grilles and balconies. Equally remarkable are the large manor houses with seductive baroque facades, which stand out for their elaborate doorways, balconies, attics, and coats of arms, some of which date back to the 16th century. Among them, mention should be made of the Ojeda, Aparicio, Grajera, Olea houses, and others corresponding to the ancient local gentry and nobility, which abound in Cura, San Juan Macías, Coso, and other streets. We highlight the Casa de la Cultura, one of the best palace-houses in the town, donated in 1991 by Don Jose María Vargas-Zúñiga. This superb building reflects the art and culture of the 18th century. Also, the Quintanilla Palace located on Ayuntamiento Street. This building from the 16th to the 19th century maintains its entire structure, highlighting its baroque facade.

In addition, Calle Larga was the birthplace of one of the most important writers of Spanish Literature of the 18th century: Don Juan Meléndez Valdés (1754-1817), who spent his entire childhood in the town of Ribera. This leading figure in the Age of Enlightenment stands out for his committed actions in Spain at the time, trying to change the ideals on which the Old Regime rested and apply liberal and progressive thinking. To achieve this dream, he became a politician and magistrate, which led to his exile in France, where he died in 1817.

In 2004, the 250th anniversary of the birth of the writer from Ribera del Fresno was celebrated.

Once a brief description of the civil architecture has been made, it is worth mentioning the important religious monuments in the area. Among them, the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, located at Calle Iglesia number 2, and originally from the 14th century, expanded in the 15th century and subsequently rebuilt in 1745 and 1859. As a singular characteristic, it presents two twin towers on the front facade, which is oriented, peculiarly, in the opposite direction to the town. In the parish, there is the Romanesque-Gothic style sculpture of the Virgin del Valle, patroness of the town, which denotes the typical characteristic of this style, as the Virgin seated with the child, dressed as a king. It is also necessary to mention the baroque master of the Sevillian School Martínez Montañés, one of the Christs that appear in the parish. Also, within the sculptural style, it is necessary to refer to the altarpieces, and in the Parish Church, one made by Alonso Rodríguez Lucas in the late 17th century baroque style is preserved.

As for the hermitages, we can highlight in the municipality the Hermitages of the Aurora, the hermitage of the Christ of Mercy, the one of the Old Christ, or the one dedicated to San Juan Macías.

The first one is located on Calle Meléndez Valdés, in the heart of the town, and it is worth noting a baroque altarpiece with a sculpture, of the same style, of the Virgin of the Aurora holding a book in her left hand and a spear in her right.

The hermitage of the Christ of Mercy, patron of the town, is an architectural composition from the 18th century, where it is necessary to mention the sculpture of the Christ of Mercy by the famous sculptor of the Sevillian baroque School Pedro Roldán, trying to capture in his carvings the greatest realism and suffering, achieving it in the figure of the Dead Christ on the cross covered with a cloth over his hips.

Regarding the Hermitage of the Old Christ, located in what is currently called Calle Príncipe de Asturias and in a visible state of ruins, it should be noted that it was built in the 16th century on top of an earlier one, preserving the dome of the apse and a tower with a peculiar bulbous top that resembles the Church of the Coronada in the nearby town of Villafranca de los Barros.

Finally, in 1985, the Hermitage of San Juan Macías was inaugurated, dedicated to the Dominican friar from Ribera del Fresno who was canonized in 1975. The Chapel was built in the same house where the Saint was born. Also, dedicated to the saint, the San Juan Macías Well was erected in the so-called Valle Garzón estate, in the municipal term of Ribera. The place was chosen due to the peculiarity that it was on this land where the saint's first miracle occurred.