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| Badajoz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Puerta Pilar Gate Puerta Pilar Gate It is the capital of the Spanish province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, is situated close to the Portuguese border, on both banks of the river Guadina, and the Madrid-Lisbon railway. Badajoz is the biggest city in Extremadura. To its population (around 160000) we have to add the Portugues city of Elvas( around 40000). Both cities want to create an international agglomeration. Owing to its position the city enjoys considerable transit trade with Portugal; its other industries include the manufacture of linen, woollen and leather goods, and of pottery. It is not mentioned by any Roman historian, and first rose to importance under Moorish rule. It was founded by the Galician Muslim Ibn Marwan around 875 and after 1022 it became the capital of a small Moorish kingdom Taifa de Badajoz, and, though temporarily held by the Portuguese in 1168, it retained its independence until 1229; when it was captured by Alfonso IX of Leon. As a frontier fortress it underwent many sieges. It was beleaguered by the Portuguese in 1660, and in 1705 by the Allies in the War of Spanish Succesion. During the Independence War Badajoz was unsuccessfully attacked by the French in 1808 and 1809 (also important is to highlight that the city was closely aligned with the French due to the fact that Manuel de Godoy, born in Badajoz, was for the French forces); but on March 10, 1811 the Spanish commander, José Imaz, was bribed into surrendering to a French force under Marshal Soult. A British army, commanded by Marshal Beresford, endeavoured to retake it, and on MAy 16, 1811 defeated a relieving force at Albuera, but the siege was abandoned in June. A military and republican uprising took place in August 1883, but completely failed. During the Spanish Civi War, Badajoz was defending the Republic but was then taken by the Nationalists in the Battle of Badajoz. A number of Republican prisoners were executed in the bullring called the Matanza de Badajoz, as the Franco repression was really extreme in this area. _________Sights Edit This i Located on the banks of the Guadiana River, only six kilometres away from Portugal, Badajoz (the largest province in Spain) has always been marked by its proximity to the border. A stroll around the historic quarter will reveal Arab walls, interesting monuments, as well as picturesque streets and porches. Badajoz is also an excellent starting point for further travelling through the Land of Barros, Mérida and the Cornalvo Nature Reserve. In all these places you can try the delicious Extremaduran cuisine. With a population around 160000 (not including the 35000 in Elvas in Portugal), Badajoz is the biggest city of Extremadura and the economic capital. Very independent from the Regional Government, the city has turned to recover its mounuments. If you are looking for a city without any tourist modification you'll find it. It is quite typical city where you'll find to be the only tourist in the area. You'll find the Andalusian influence and also the Portuguese culture. Do not foget to walk through it Arab Castle ( Alcazaba) and the neighbourghood around. You'll find the South Spain influence in teh Plaza Alta or visiting the Torre de Espantaperros. If you are looking for teh typicial tapas, remember that just asking for a beer they will put you a tapas for free. It is very common around teh cathedral and La Giralda square. Arab Walls or 15th Century Walls faced to the River Guadianda gives a nice view of teh city. CLose tooteh River you'll find teh Palacio de Godoy, Ermita de los Pajaritos or the Puerta de Palmas Main gate. In front of it yyou'll find the Puente de Palmas (15th century). In teh otehr side of the river you'll find another castle ( Baluarte de Santiago) but until now it is not open to tourist visits. The lack of regional investment is clear when walking out of the city center and even in the historical area. Take a taxi and go to the Cerro de Reyes or Los Colorines neighbourghood. if you hear people talking pasionately against the Governement and wishing to go defintely to Portugal, do not worry, you are in Badajoz. Contributors February 12, 2007 new by costacora (1 point) [Add Sight] Cathedral of Saint John Edit This San Juan cathedral San Juan cathedral From the outside, the cathedral was built in the form of a fortress to keep it safe during the continuous wars suffered by the city. Its construction was begun after the conquest of Badajoz by King Alfonso IX in the 13th century. The building is topped by battlements and has a high square tower, with large windows at the second level. It has three entrance doors; the main one is that of San Juan Bautista, topped by the image of the saint. Inside, it has a basilica plan with three naves in five sections, transept and sanctuary with three apses. Roof with Decadent Gothic arches. type: Churches and Cathedrals World66 rating: [rate it] address: Plaza San Juan s/n Palace of Duques de la Roca Edit This Museum Palacio Duques de la Roca Museum Palacio Duques de la Roca the museum is located in the city's Moorish Alcazaba (fortress). The Palace is from the XVI century. Inside there are more than 15,000 items on display from archaeological sites around the province. You can see a range of exhibits, from Visigoth architectural items to Moorish ceramics and tombstones, and Roman mosaics. The section dedicated to Megalithic settlements is also outstanding. type: Palaces World66 rating: [rate it] ___________History Edit This i_1 he primitive citadel of Civitas Pacis was already widely known during Roman times, yet the Moors were the ones who gave it its present name, when they called it Batalyoz in the 8th century. The city gained enormous political and military relevance when it became one of the Taifa kingdoms that proliferated in the Peninsula following the fall of the Caliphate of Cordoba —the Muslim power that ruled the occupied territories Ein the 11th century. Reconquered in the 13th century by the Christian Monarchs, the city reinforced its fighting spirit due to its location on the so-called "line", the boundary between Spain and Portugal. Arab heritage. The historic need for a good defence system is evidenced by its strategic location, on the banks of the Guadiana Riverand over the Muela Hill, a walled precinct made of walls, gates and bastions. The Alcazaba (citadel), declared Historic-Artistic Site, dominates the whole defence network. Its Almohad walls surround beautiful gardensand the Palace of the Dukes of Roca, which presently houses the Regional Archaeological Museum. Here there are more than 15,000 pieces found in the numerous archaeological sites in the province. The most picturesque streets and porches are located at the foot of the Alcazaba, around the square Plaza de San José and Plaza Alta. This last one is made of fifteenth century porches. Another square, Plaza de España, houses the City Hall and the cathedral of Badajoz. The Romanesque-Gothic temple, which resembles a fortress, preserves interesting Renaissance ornamental pieces. It is worthwhile stopping and admiring the bas-reliefs in the stalls of the choir and in the Flemish tapestries that decorate the sacristy. Inside the cathedral there are also paintings by Zurbarán, Ribera and Bocanegra. In the area surrounding Plaza de España, one of the best places for Extremaduran cuisine is found. The cuisine of Badajoz includes ancient recipes made with local products, as well as others that have been brought from America, like paprika and potatoes. Tomato soup, roast lamb and fried trout are some of the dishes that should be served with the excellent Iberian sausages, with the label Designation of Origin - Dehesa de Extremadura. The wines should have the label Designation of Origin - Ribera del Guadiana. You can continue your journey by going to another two museums of great importance in the city: The Regional Museum of Fine Arts and the Extremaduran Museum of Spanish-American Contemporary Art (MEIAC). The collection of the former, which is located in a palatial house from the late 19th century, focuses on the artwork (both painting and sculpture) of Extremaduran artists. Meanwhile, the MEIAC, which is located in one of the bastions of the wall, specialises in Spanish, Extremaduran, Portuguese and Latin American art from 1980 to the present, as a symbol of the three geopolitical currents brought together in Extremadura. One of the most emblematic gates of the city is the Palmas Gate, which leads to the bridge under the same name that crosses the Guadiana River. Two crenellated towers guard the access to this bridge, with about thirty semicircular arches. They were built following the design of Juan de Herrera, one of the most significant architects of the Spanish Renaissance. Contributors February 12, 2007 new by costacora (2 points) _________Practical Information Edit This ocated on the banks of the Guadiana River, only six kilometres away from Portugal, Badajoz (the largest province in Spain) has always been marked by its proximity to the border. A stroll around the historic quarter will reveal Arab walls, interesting monuments, as well as picturesque streets and porches. Badajoz is also an excellent starting point for further travelling through the Land of Barros, Mérida and the Cornalvo Nature Reserve. In all these places you can try the delicious Extremaduran cuisine. With a population around 160000 (not including the 35000 in Elvas in Portugal), Badajoz is the biggest city of Extremadura and the economic capital. Very independent from the Regional Government, the city has turned to recover its mounuments. If you are looking for a city without any tourist modification you'll find it. It is quite typical city where you'll find to be the only tourist in the area. You'll find the Andalusian influence and also the Portuguese culture. Do not foget to walk through it Arab Castle ( Alcazaba) and the neighbourghood around. You'll find the South Spain influence in teh Plaza Alta or visiting the Torre de Espantaperros. If you are looking for teh typicial tapas, remember that just asking for a beer they will put you a tapas for free. It is very common around teh cathedral and La Giralda square. Arab Walls or 15th Century Walls faced to the River Guadianda gives a nice view of teh city. CLose tooteh River you'll find teh Palacio de Godoy, Ermita de los Pajaritos or the Puerta de Palmas Main gate. In front of it yyou'll find the Puente de Palmas (15th century). In teh otehr side of the river you'll find another castle ( Baluarte de Santiago) but until now it is not open to tourist visits. The lack of regional investment is clear when walking out of the city center and even in the historical area. Take a taxi and go to the Cerro de Reyes or Los Colorines neighbourghood. if you hear people talking pasionately against the Governement and wishing to go defintely to Portugal, do not worry, you are in Badajoz. ______________Getting There Edit This BY TRAIN Trains are avaiable from MAdrid to Badajoz. RENFE ( www.renfe.es). The trip uses to take around 6 hours. We recommend you to take TALGO and try to save some time. BY AIR Airport in Badajoz is 12 km from city center. Flights from Barcelona & MAdrid daily ( www.iberia.com and www.airnostrum.com) BY CAR 400 km from Madrid & 200 Km from Lisbon. There is the motorway Autovía de Extremadura (A5) when you leave Madrid. if you want to arrive by bus, we recommend you to take it at Autores Station in Madrid (www-auto-res.net) or in Estaçao de Oriente in Lisbon. ____________Museums Edit This Museo Provincial- Arquelogical Museum at the top of the Arab Castle (Alzacaba)- Museo de Bellas Artes- ROmantic Museum close to the Giralda Museo de la Ciudad- Museum created in teh House of Morales (XVI century) The Extremaduran and Ibero-American Museum of Contemporary Art (MEIAC), erected over the framework of an old jail used by the Franco regime and inaugurated in 1996, it features modern art from the 1980s to the present, displayed on floor floors and in its semi-basement. _______Things to do Edit This i After a nice walk in the city we will recomend you to visit the Portuguese area of the city at Elvas. It is really nice to test the pure Jamon Iberico in Badajoz and all the Ibericos(chorizos, morcon, lomos, etc..) as this city is the main producer of teh best delicatessen in Spain. On the other hand, try the "cazuelitas" or the "natas", a typical Portuguese cake very typical in the area. The city id full of shops, even higer that those for its city size, due to the Portuguese customers. Malls, and boutiques are based in the Pllza de COnquistadores, San Juan & Menacho. Boat are rented at the Guadiana river for a romantic trip in the river. Same are at night is full of young people having party in the river bank (botellon). |