Badajoz

Alcazaba de Badajoz

The city was founded in 261 AH / 875 CE by Ibn Marwan al-Yilliqi, and later became the capital of the Aftasid kingdom in the Taifa period, whose court was one of the most splendid in literature. The present alcazaba walls are Almohad (12th century) and among the largest alcazabas in Spain; its most famous tower is the octagonal Espantaperros. Inside is the Provincial Archaeological Museum with an important Islamic collection.

Hornachos

· Hornachos

• Morisco heritage

A town in Extremadura most of whose people were Moriscos who kept their cohesion, arms and remarkable influence. At the expulsion (1609–1610) the Hornachegos left as one group for Salé and Rabat, and formed the core of the "Republic of Bou Regreg" (1627), known for naval jihad and correspondence with the kings of Europe.

Moderate effort · needs a car

By car only. The town sits on a slope, and the climb to the castle remains takes about 30–45 minutes on a steep, rocky dirt track with no shade and no water. A few cafés in the town. Very hot in summer.

Sagrajas (campo de batalla de Zalaca)

· Sagrajas

On 12 Rajab 479 AH (23 October 1086 CE), Yusuf ibn Tashfin crossed with the Almoravids in answer to the appeal of al-Mu'tamid ibn 'Abbad and the Taifa kings, and inflicted a crushing defeat on Alfonso VI on the plain of Zalaca, north-east of Badajoz. The battle halted the Castilian advance after the fall of Toledo, and prolonged the life of al-Andalus by nearly two centuries.

Easy to reach · needs a car

There is no archaeological site for the battle: flat fields near Sagrajas (15 km from Badajoz) with a small memorial. No services, no shade. A car is essential.

Alcazaba de Reina

· Reina

A vast Almohad alcazaba on a hill above the village of Reina, south of Badajoz, with extensive walls and towers and views over the Campiña plains.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car only (buses are rare); a road climbs to near the alcazaba, then a short walk over uneven ground. No shade or services; intensely hot in summer. A small café in the village.

Castillo de Medellín

· Medellín

A castle on a hill overlooking the Guadiana river and its historic bridge, built on the foundations of an Islamic fort; beside it is a Roman theatre.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car (40 minutes from Mérida); a road climbs to the castle car park. Walking the walls involves steps. Few services in the town. Intensely hot in summer.

Castillo de Magacela

· Magacela

A castle on a rocky summit, visible from afar above the La Serena plains, with Islamic ruins some of which have been restored recently.

Moderate effort · needs a car

By car to the village, then a good uphill track of 15–20 minutes to the rocky summit; the ruins are unprotected. No shade or water; avoid summer midday.

Alcazaba de Jerez de los Caballeros

· Jerez de los Caballeros

An Islamic alcazaba at the top of the white town, which became a stronghold of the Knights Templar; around it rise towering Baroque church towers.

Easy to reach · needs a car

By car (few buses); the lanes climb to the alcazaba at the top of the town (10 minutes). Full services in the town.

Castillo de Feria

· Feria

A 15th-century castle on a rocky summit above a white village, with a massive fortified keep with rounded corners; from the top the view extends over the Badajoz plains to the Sierra Morena.

Moderate effort · needs a car

25 minutes from Zafra and 45 minutes from Badajoz by car. A slope and stairs up the tower; one hour.

Castillo de Luna (Alburquerque)

· Alburquerque

A huge castle on a rocky summit near the Portuguese border, combining layers from the 13th to the 15th century; it belonged to Álvaro de Luna. Entry is free, and from the top of the tower you can see Portugal.

Moderate effort · needs a car

45 minutes from Badajoz by car. Climb through the old town, then stairs; an hour and a half.

Hotel Boutique Iulia

· Medina de las Torres

A boutique hotel in a historic house in the village of Medina de las Torres, in the Badajoz countryside, with elegant rooms, a courtyard and a pool — one of the highest-rated hotels in Extremadura.

Easy to reach · needs a car

Inside the village of Medina de las Torres. By car from Zafra (20 min) or Mérida (50 min); park on the street near the hotel. The village is small with limited services; the pharmacy and large shops are in Zafra. Summers are very hot (40°+).

Plaza Grande de Zafra

· Zafra

An elegant white town south of Badajoz nicknamed "Little Seville", with its two adjoining arcaded squares and the fortified Palace of the Dukes of Feria, now a Parador hotel. It was a major trading centre for livestock markets.

Easy to reach · needs a car

One hour from Badajoz or Mérida, and 1 hour 40 minutes from Sevilla by car; train from Mérida. Flat and easy; two hours.

Olivenza – Torre del Homenaje

· Olivenza

A town with a Portuguese character that stayed under Portugal for five centuries until 1801 CE, with bastioned walls, a 36-metre fortified tower reached by an inner ramp, and the church of La Magdalena in a distinctive Manueline style.

Easy to reach · needs a car

30 minutes from Badajoz by car. The town is flat, and the tower is climbed by a long slope with no stairs; two hours.

Mezquita de Badajoz (Dar Al-Nourayn)

The community mosque in Badajoz, the closest to those visiting Mérida and Extremadura.