Photos

Photographer’s Note

When I saw Aires (AiresSantos) photo of Badajoz (The Arab Castle) I noticed that there are at TE just a few pictures of this big Spanish city, and most of them could have been taken elsewhere. So, here you have another view of the city.
Badajoz is the biggest city of the Spanish region of Extremadura (not to be confused with the old Portuguese province of Estremadura, on the west coast between Leiria and Setúbal). On the route from Lisbon to Madrid, Badajoz is the very first Spanish city, right on the Portugal/Spain border. Please read also the note of the Aires photo (link above).
Like other cities near the border, Badajoz is a favourite Portuguese destination for shopping. That's even more true nowadays, since most prices are lower in Spain than in Portugal, owing to a lower sales tax (IVA/VAT) and fuel tax. Millions of Portuguese have been to Badajoz, but I wonder how many have seen the historic sites, namely those on the hill of the former Arabic Alcazaba (walled fortification or citadel, from the Arabic al-qasbah).
Among the historic buildings are the castle (shot by Aires) and this Palacio de los Condes de la Roca, both on the Alcazaba hill. It was built between 1387 and 1410, by order of Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa, Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. In the XVIIth century this palace became property of the Dukes of La Roca. It is also known as Palacio de los Duques de Feria. This palace is the home of the Museo Arqueológico Provincial since 1980.
Other view in workshop.

Photo Information
Viewed: 1524
Points: 14
Discussions
Additional Photos by Francisco Santos (xuaxo) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4121 W: 278 N: 4138] (5703)
View More Pictures
explore TREKEARTH