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This community is constituted of two provinces,
Caceres and
Badajoz, its
capital nevertheless being Merida, certainly worth a visit thanks to its
fantastic Roman ruins. Romans put Extremadura on the stage of history, and
Merida was one of the most important cities in the whole Roman Empire.
Lateron the region was for a long period of time the border between Moorish
and Christian Spain. After the reconquista it arrived to new splendor with
the discovery of America, when it was the cradle of several famous
conquerors.
Extremadura's landscapes are characterized by the mountain ranges
Cordillera Central, Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena, the plains and
fertile valleys of the rivers Tajo and Guadiana, and the plain lands of Low
Extremadura. Its climate is continental, with warm summers and temperatures
well over 30 degC, and quite cold winters.
Extremadura has several natural parks and preserves, specially the
valleys of its two important rivers are important ecological reserves.
This region has yet not been discovered by mass tourism, but it has
plenty of offers if you are looking for something off the beaten track: its
original popular customs and traditions, typical dresses, great artisany of
ceramics, metal works (those of Guadalupe are of high reputation) and
embroideries, and an outstanding gastronomy: trouts, game, sausages,
cheeses, as well as excellent wines.
Major attractions:
Merida
 One
time capital of Lusitania (combined kingdoms of Spain and Portugal), at the
crossroads of the Roman roads from Toledo, Salamanca, Seville and Lisbon,
Merida was founded in 25BC. It boasts some of the finest Roman ruins in the
whole of Spain and possibly the world. Merida is described as being the
tourist capital of Extremadura. It has also been described as a 'mini
version of Rome'. The longest Roman bridge in Spain is just one monument
worth seeing.
Sights to see in Merida
The Roman Theatre
This is the jewel of Merida's Roman heritage. It was built by Agrippa in
18 B.C. when 6000 people could be seated in the theatre. In June and July
plays are still staged here. Tickets are priced at 5€ (June 2003). This
includes a visit to the Theatre and Amphitheatre.
The Aqueducts
There is over 5 miles of aqueduct running though Merida, although there
isn't a section as complete as the one at Segovia. The Acueducto de los
Milagros on the northwest side of town is the most complete, and feeds two
nearby man made lakes.
The Roman Bridge
Consisting of 64 Granite arches, the longest in Roman Spain, its now a
footbridge over the Guadiana river. The modern bridge you see behind it was
used to take the load off the ancient one; it wasn't until 1993 that the
Roman bridge was decommissioned as the main entrance into town for vehicle
traffic.
The Alcazaba
Constructed in the year 835 from the remains of a Roman fort, it is
located near the Roman Bridge, which it was designed to protect. There are
great views from the top.
Temple of Diana
Right in the center of town is a strange looking Roman ruin consisting of
several columns. In the 17th century a nobleman built a rather large
residence inside the columns, using four of them in the construction of the
house itself.
Museo Nacional de Arte Romano (National Museum of Roman Art)
The Museum, opened in 1986, provides an impressive display of statues and
other antiquities used by the Romans. its located in front of the entrance
to the theater and amptheater.
Caceres
 Within
Extremadura, encircled by city walls. There are many palaces and towers
which were financed by sending gold from the Americas by the conquistadors.
Caceres was founded in the 1st century by the Romans as Norba Caesarina. It
is one of just 6 cities in Spain designated by UNESCO as World Heritage
Sites. Once the Romans left, here settled all the cultures that have been
made in south Spain. There is evidence of all these cultures to be found
within the city.
Modern Caceres is located southwest of the Barrio Antiguo which is
enclosed by massive ramparts. The heart of the old city lies between Plaza
Santa Maria and Plaza San Meteo. Here you will see homes once inhabited by
the nobility. Stroll casually along the narrow, cobbled streets and you will
see the walls that enclose the old upper town, a mixture of Roman and Arab
building. Their state of preservation is excellent. About 30 of the wall
towers remain but all are heavily restored. The towers were at one point,
much taller. They were ordered to be cut down to size by Queen Isabella. The
largest of the towers is at Plaza del General Mola.
There is a Gothic cathedral by the name of Santa Maria, constructed
sometime in the 1500's. Here lie the remains of many of the Conquistadors.
For historians and shoppers, Caceres offers a good selection of artefacts
to take home. Sights here are plentiful and getting about is easy by foot.
Accommodation is easy to find in Caceres except during Easter week and in
April when they celebrate the Christians and Moors. The best foods to try on
your visit are the cured hams and sausages, all produced locally. In the
winter months, the local thick soup is the meal of the day. It will not take
you long to explore this town but you will take home with you, many lasting
impressions of Spanish history and culture.
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Hotels Caceres & Province |
 Parador
de Caceres 
This hotel is situated within the Palacio del Comendador,
so named because it was found by Don Diego Garcia Ulloa, Commander of
the Order of Santiago in the 14th century and is in the old quarter of
the city of Caceres. A stay at this hotel will allow the visitor explore
this wonderful walled city, replete with palaces of incomparable
beauty.Loacted on the Calle Ancha, the point of reference is Plaza de
Santa Clara. The rooms feature soft cream colours, wooden
beams and welcoming, stylish furniture. Country
cuisine and fine wines can be sampled in this beamed ceiling austere
room which gives way to the interior patio.Iberian sirloin steak with
Casar cheese and roast kid with rosemary are representative of the
varied cusine of Extremadura. The styles personnalized in
the building and its monumental surronding are gothic, reinaissance and
baroque. The inner courtyard and cobblestone, frames, beams covered by
wood ans the original mantelpiece in the living room make the interior
decoration. |
Trujillo
Located in Extremadura, just 45km east of Cáceres, this beautiful walled
town dates from the 13th century and is one of the best places to visit in
the region.
The town is probably best known for the conquerors born here such as
Francisco Pizarro who discovered Peru. A monument to him stands in Plaza
Mayor.
Celts, Romans, Moors and Christians have all lived here and have all made
their mark. The town boasts a beautiful Moorish castle and several important
palaces. Much of the old town centres around Plaza Mayor where you will find
the very helpful tourist office. You can also catch a horse-drawn tour of
the town from here.
Plaza Mayor is also home to the Justice Courts, the Old Town Hall The
Church of San Martin and the Casa de las Cadenas. The Palacio de los Duques
de San Carlos is a fine 16th Century residence, turned into a convent. It is
possible to visit the convent with a guide. Also in Plaza Mayor is the
Palacio de la Conquista, one of the finest buildings in the town. There are
several bars in the square with excellent terraces.
From the Plaza Mayor walk through the narrow alleys, climbing towards the
castle. There are several churches and museums along the way. The castle has
been well preserved and quite sympathetically restored. Much of the
structure remains, including many outlying walls and vaults. The castle is
of Moorish origin and stands over the footings of an earlier Roman fortress.
It is possible to visit the dungeons of the castle where it is said that a
vision of the Virgin Mary appeared in 1232, giving the Christians renewed
strength in fighting off the Moors.
Where to stay in Trujillo
If at all possible, stay at the Parador Nacional which was opened in 1984
after being converted from a 1533 convent.
There are several hotels located in the town as well as several hostals.
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Hotels Caceres & Province |
 Parador
De Trujillo Caceres Province
This hotel is situated in the converted Santa Clara
convent which was founded by the order of the conceptionists in the 16th
century. The convent building is simply laid out around a central
cloister which now has three renaissance fountains and lovely plants and
trees growing around them. Nuns used to live in the convent
until it was converted into a hotel, therefore their cells have been
used as rooms for guests. There are 45 doubles and a suite, distributed
around a renaissance cloister and its well, with views of the town or
nearby fields. The refectory, a vaulted room with a
magnificent tiled wall is where international and Regional cuisine can
be sampled. Ideal for rest, leisure work, the Parador has
monastic style common rooms ans details, spacious, quite and pleisant
living rooms, noble bedrroms in which wood takes preference. |
Guadalupe
This beautiful town is dominated by a colossal Mudejar style monastery
which preserves valuable works of art.
Plasencia
A beautiful town with a Gothic-Plateresque cathedral, medieval town-walls
and several palaces.
 Badajoz
The capital of Lower Extremadura is worth a visit thanks to its Moorish
Alcazaba, town-walls and watch-towers.
Badajoz has a population of 130,000 and inside its province is found the
capital of the Community of Extremadura, Mérida. The province is the largest
in Spain and covers an area of 8,500 square miles (21,757km²). The town lies
at an altitude of 614ft above sea level (186m) on a hillside near where the
rivers Rivillas and Guadiana meet. The Portuguese border is only 4 miles
from this castle dominated town.
The walls and battlement towers that enclosed this vast fortress have
survived the passing of the centuries and are virtually intact. The oldest
part was built by Abd al Rahman Ibn Marwan who battled against the Emir of
Cordoba in the year 875 while the Almohad part of the fortress was built in
the later half of the 12th century. The main tower is the octagonally shaped
Espantaperros Tower and this is the highest point of the city, from here you
can enjoy splendid views over the Vegas Bajas.
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Hotels Badajoz & Province |
 Parador
de Zafra Badajoz Province
The hotel is housed in a 15th century castle where
Hernan Cortes lived. From the hotel, located in the heart of the town,
which has been declared to be of historical and artistic interest,
guests can visit beautiful Zafra, a place in which moors and christians
managed to live in perfect harmony even after the reconquest. Decorated with rustic furniture and slender wooden beds. Some of
them have marvellous panelled ceilings. All of them are quite spacious. The spacious white washed dining hall is a pleasant
place for guests to enjoy the delights of this country's inspired
cuisine. Main dishes include lamb stew and iberian sirloin. Nine battlemented towers jealously guard a regal, gandiose interior,
which conserved beautiful coffered ceilings, large chests, ironworks,
handrails and other deocrtaive details belongings to the former
palace.The swimming pool and the perfectly tended garden also stands
out. |
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