Cáceres Old Town

Cáceres, Spain

Cáceres is the capital and most populated municipality of the province of Cáceres. The city was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1986 because of the city's blend of Roman, Moorish, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Thirty towers from the Islamic period still stand in Cáceres, of which the Torre del Bujaco is the most famous.

Cáceres has been a trade route city and a political centre of the local nobles for many centuries. Since prehistoric times, people from different cultures have gathered in Cáceres and have shaped its strong historical roots. Pre-Roman settlements occupied the original plot followed by the Roman, Arab, Jewish and Christian people.

The influence and remains of these cultures can be observed and studied in the walled ensemble of Cáceres, with a wide typological and constructive variety ranging from popular architecture to palace-houses, with their characteristic sobriety and towers of the nobility of Gothic and Renaissance times. The city's history of battles between Moors and Christians is also reflected in the architecture, which is a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles. This property also includes noteworthy religious buildings such as churches, hermitages and convents.

Cáceres is an outstanding example of a city that was ruled from the 14th to 16th centuries by powerful rival factions, reflected in its dominant spatial configuration of fortified houses, palaces and towers. This city in Extremadura bears the traces of highly diverse and contradictory influences. The urban design in the area inside the walls is an example of a medieval city, which has shaped its current aspect over centuries.

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Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Historic city squares, old towns and villages in Spain

Rating

4.8/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Caroline Pesaran (9 months ago)
The real hidden masterpiece. Wonderful and beautifully preserved. Went all the way through this ancient place and ended up on a huge square with restaurants and an excellent office of tourism with particularly helpful staff within.
jowhitie (11 months ago)
The City center is one of the best open museums out there. Im going to play Assassins Creed now
Steve Swabey (12 months ago)
Fantastic place with lots to see and eat in this cultural area for a break.
Norrie Bradshaw (2 years ago)
Lovely old town which is listed as a Unesco world heritage site. Friendly family atmosphere, beautiful.
Patrick Ohearn Ph.D. (2 years ago)
Stayed overnight in this charming old town with remnants of Ancient Rome and Gothic architecture. There was a weekend market held in an ancient square, and hilly climbs through the old quarter. A great stop if traveling between Madrid and Lisbon by car.
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