Badajoz, with about 150,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in Extremadura, on the bank of the Guadiana river a few kilometres from the border with Portugal. Its frontier position has shaped its history of sieges and fortifications.
History
Founded in 875 by the muladí rebel Ibn Marwan, Badajoz was in the 11th century the capital of one of the richest taifa kingdoms of al-Andalus. Taken by the Christians in 1230, it was disputed for centuries between Spain and Portugal and besieged many times, notably in the Peninsular War against Napoleon in 1812, when Wellington's troops stormed it. In the Civil War it saw harsh repression.
What to see
- The Alcazaba, the great 12th-century Arab fortress on the hill, one of Spain's largest, with the octagonal Espantaperros tower, the city's symbol, and the Provincial Archaeological Museum in the Palace of the Dukes of La Roca.
- Plaza Alta, arcaded and colourful, below the fortress.
- The 13th-century cathedral of San Juan Bautista, which looks like a fortress.
- The 16th-century Puente de Palmas over the Guadiana, and the Puerta de Palmas, with its twin towers.
- The 17th-century bastions around the centre.
- MEIAC, the Extremadura and Ibero-American Museum of Contemporary Art, in a former circular prison, and the Fine Arts Museum.
Festivals and food
The Badajoz carnival, in February, is one of Spain's biggest, with thousands in costume in the comparsa parades and satirical murgas. June brings the Feria de San Juan. Food: Iberian ham from Dehesa de Extremadura, migas, Torta del Casar cheese, lamb caldereta and Ribera del Guadiana wines.
Around Badajoz and getting there
Just 15 km away is Elvas, a Portuguese town listed by UNESCO for its fortifications, and about 25 km away Olivenza, the town with a Portuguese past. Further north is Mérida with its Roman theatre. Badajoz has a small airport with flights to Madrid and Barcelona and is linked by train with Madrid and Seville and by bus with Lisbon too.