Tourist Attractions in Badajoz

Badajoz, the "key of Portugal", lies on a low ridge of hills on the left bank of the Río Guadiana, near the Portuguese frontier. It is the chief town of its province and the see of a bishop. The three most important towns of Estremadura are Badajoz, Cáceres and Trujillo.

History

The town was known to the Romans as Colonia Pacensis, to the Moors as Badaljóz. After the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba the Aftasids established a small Moorish kingdom here. In 1229 the town was captured by Alfonso IX of León. Down to the 20th century Badajoz was frequently the scene of military conflict and was occupied by many different armies. In 1385, 1396 and 1542 it was taken by the Portuguese; in 1580 it was Philip II's headquarters during the conquest of Portugal; in 1660 it was retaken by the Portuguese; in 1701, during the War of the Spanish Succession, it was besieged by the Allies; in 1810 the French were driven out of Badajoz by British forces; and the town was also the scene of bitter fighting in 1936, during the Civil War.