The Alcazaba of Badajoz is an ancient Moorish citadel. As it now appears was built by the Almohad, a Muslim dynasty, in the 12th century, although it probably existed from the 9th century, when Badajoz was founded.

In the 11th and 12th centuries it was the residence of the rulers of the taifa (kingdom) of Badajoz.

It was declared a national monument of Spain in 1931.

Walls and Towers of the Alcazaba

The original wall surrounds the hill overlooking the river Guadiana.

The walls are the most important part of a citadel. The walls date back to the Almohad period.

The Almohad also used many pieces of Visigothic and Roman origin, either as reinforcement or as decoration.

Torre de la Atalaya or Torre de Espantaperros

The citadel has several watchtowers, but the Torre de la Atalaya, known as Torre de Espantaperros (The Dogs Frightener Tower) is the most well-known and a symbol of the city.

The legend says that the bell ringing frightened infidels, who were referred to as ‘dogs’. Today, the only sound from the tower you can hear is the storks’ bill-clattering.

The Plaza Alta, recently restored, was for several centuries the main square and center of the city since it exceeded the limits of the Muslim citadel.

Under its arches the markets were celebrated in the Middle Ages. It was also a place to celebrate celebrations and meetings of all kinds.

At present it is still the place for markets and celebrations like Almossassa, the festival of the foundation of the city.

In the 17th century the city had to design a fortified system during the wars with Portugal.

The fort of San Cristobal and other bastions were built to defend the walls of Badajoz.

Puerta Palma. The gates of the city.

The gates of the town were the way to control the entrance of people in the city.

The most famous is Puerta Palma (Palmas Gate).

It is one of the most representative monuments of Badajoz. It was built in the XVI century with a Renaissance style. This gate watches the access from the bridge over the Guadiana River. Originally it was integrated with the walls that completely surrounded the city.

The gate is formed by two crenelated towers with openings in the top through which to fire at attackers. As for its use, it has served for troop accommodation, as a prison, customs, etc.

The Vauban Fortification

The Vauban military fort was built in the 17th century during the war between Spain and Portugal that lasted from 1640 to 1668 as a defence measure to counter-attack forces entering the city from the west and south. It is made of stone, brick and lime concrete, designed according to the style of Vauban, a French military engineer.

It has eight bastions built on the southern part of the fort (as the Guadiana and Rivilla rivers on the north provided the defence). The bastions are named as San Pedro, La Trinidad, Santa María, San Roque, San Juan, Santiago, San José and San Vicente.

Badajoz has four bridges that cross the river Guadiana:

1. Puente de la Autonomía Extremeña

2. Puente de Palmas

3. Puente de la Universidad

4. Puente Real

This cathedral was built by the mandate of the king Alfonso X, in the 13th c. Dedicated to San Juan Bautista, it was declared a historical artistic monument.

Among its walls, events of great importance were held, such as the royal wedding between Juan I de Castilla and Beatriz de Portugal

Plaza de España is the square that houses the city hall and the Cathedral. The town hall is a Neoclassical building with a yellow and white façade. In front of the City Hall stands the statue of a renowned painter born in Badajoz.

You can have a walk around the square or stop for a coffee in one of its several cafés and bars. Sit outside and enjoy the sun (or the shade in summer), surrounded by trees and some remarkable buildings with big balconies and stained-glass decoration.

It is one of the most emblematic squares in Badajoz, because it contains some of the most beautiful buildings in the city, including the shrine of the Virgin de la Soledad, from which the square takes its name.

The Giralda

It is one of the most beautiful buildings of the Soledad Square and the entire city. A replica of the famous Sevillian Giralda built in the 1930s and decorated with ceramic tiles and metal work. Originally a residence and commercial warehouse, it is crowned with a statuette of Mercury, Greek god of Commerce.

A statue of the great flamenco singer Porrina de Badajoz, who looks eternally at the shrine, in memory of the nights of the Holy Week, when the artist sang passionate songs at the Patroness of Badajoz, is worthy of mention.

MEIAC:

Museum of Sapnish and Ibero-American Contemporary Art

The MEIAC before becoming a museum, it was a jail, that's why the cylinder shape. This museum brings together collections of contemporary Spanish, Portuguese and Ibero-American artists.

MUBA:

Museum of the Fine Arts

MUBA has artworks from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century and the "Spanish art" of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

It also houses the collection of Extremadura painters and another fund dedicated to modern painting.