Badajoz Attractions
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.
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.
Alcazaba
On a hill to the northeast of Badajoz is the Alcazaba, once the seat of its Moorish rulers, with remains of the Mudéjar-style palace of the Dukes of Fería, now in a public park. A striking feature is the octagonal Torre de Espantaperros or Torre del Apéndiz, a massive battlemented keep built by the Almohads, from which there are extensive views of the Río Guadiana and Extremadura. A former mosque houses the Archeological Museum.
Alburquerque, Spain
(Near Badajoz)
C 530 runs north from Badajoz and over the Puerto de los Conejeros to Alburquerque (alt. 750m/2,460ft), 44km/27mi away. This is an old world little town situated on a hill, still preserving remains of its walls. Over the town loom the ruins of a mighty castle, built in 1276 by Alonso Sánchez, an illegitimate son of the king of Portugal. The Gothic church of Santa María del Mercado, with its fortified tower, similarly reflects the history of Alburquerque as a much fought over frontier town.
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Museum of Fine Art
The Museo de Bellas Artes contains paintings and sculptures by Zurbarán, Morales, Picasso and Dalí.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Extremadura Day - Spain (September 9)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Extremadura Day - Spain (September 9)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Puente de Palmas
From the Museum of Provincial Art, Calle M. Evora leads to the battlemented Puerta de Palmas, a late 16th century town gate. Beyond this is the Puente de Palmas, a granite bridge built in 1596 on Roman foundations; 582m/637yd long, it spans the Guadiana with 32 arches.
Sacred Buildings
Other sacred buildings of interest in Badajoz are the churches of the Concepción and San Agustín, both containing fine tombs, and the Convento de Santa Ana.
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