Hello friends. When visiting Spain’s most popular regions like Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia or perhaps the Basque Country, you might find yourself wondering, Where should I go next? Today I’d like to share my trip to Cáceres, one of the oldest cities in Spain, located in a lesser-known autonomous region yet boasting incredibly fascinating and impressive landscapes.
One striking feature of this region is the abundance of massive rocks scattered everywhere. According to legend, there was once a rain of stones here and these large drops have remained ever since. These rocks can be found in fields, everywhere around the city and even incorporated into the interior design of the hotel where I stayed. Speaking of the hotel it was quite an interesting place. It had been converted from an old rural house that once belonged to the famous Casa Golfines family. I’ve seen similar projects in Spain and Portugal before and this one was executed beautifully.
The rooms were comfortable, the bathroom well-maintained and the design pleasant. The spa was also in excellent condition and a delightful experience. If you ever find yourself in Cáceres, staying at this hotel could be a nice choice. However, I was disappointed with the restaurant. It aimed to shine in the culinary department but offered rather mediocre dishes. This was especially disheartening since Cáceres was named Spain’s Gastronomic Capital in 2015.
I started my exploration of the city at Plaza Mayor, located just outside the old town. Like every Spanish city, Cáceres also has its Plaza Mayor. The historic quarter lies behind ancient Roman walls. The city itself was founded in 25 bc by retired Roman soldiers and was initially called Norba Caesarina. Over time, this name evolved into Cáceres. During its long history, the Moors also left their mark here, most notably with the famous Torre de Bujaco and the star-shaped gates within the walls.
Cáceres historic area is divided into several small neighborhoods. At the entrance, you’ll find Plaza de Santa María, home to a cathedral and several palacios (palaces). You can identify these palaces by their plaques and coats of arms since their decoration is otherwise modest. Most were built between the 14th and 17th centuries, heavily influenced by Renaissance architecture and constructed using the region's abundant stone. Opposite the cathedral is the Episcopal Palace and nearby, you’ll find the palaces of other notable families.
Cáceres blends its historical charm with the vibrancy of a modern city. With a population of around 100.000, including many university students the city has a youthful and lively atmosphere. Its unique history and architecture make it a destination well worth exploring.
One particularly interesting architectural detail is the corner windows or corner balcony doors, a typical Renaissance feature. These elements look like an arch extending across two sides of a building. Sometimes referred to as turning windows or turning doors, they are quite rare. Honestly, I can’t recall seeing anything like them elsewhere. A distinctive architectural element.
Another striking feature of Cáceres is its towers. As I mentioned earlier, these are remnants of the Islamic rule. Remarkably around 30 towers have been preserved to this day, which is quite a significant number. Every noble family deemed it necessary to build a tower next to their palace, referred to as a palacio in Spanish. However, during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, some noble families did not support the crown. As punishment the monarchs ordered many of these towers to be partially dismantled. Only one tower remains fully intact because the family owning it pledged their loyalty at the right time and earned royal favor.
Finding the Jewish quarter in the old town is also quite easy. The buildings here are low, typically two or three stories high and plastered. This was once a thriving community where Jews lived together until the Reconquista. After the Reconquista they were initially sent to Portugal, where they lived in relative comfort for a brief time. However, just a few years later they were forced to migrate again, spreading out to northern Europe, North Africa and other parts of the world.
Later we reached Santiago square, named after Saint James. The Church of Saint Anthony here used to be a synagogue. We wandered through narrow, winding streets to get there, which had a serene and authentic atmosphere. Perhaps this is why parts of Game of Thrones were filmed here. Though honestly it feels like Game of Thrones has been shot everywhere. It seems every medieval European town proudly claims, They filmed it here. even if they didn’t.
After exploring we arrived at another square. This time Saint George’s Square. Saint George is one of the patron saints of Cáceres, along with several other cities. In this square, there’s a statue depicting Saint George slaying a dragon with a spear. Legend has it that this act brought happiness and prosperity to the city. It’s also believed that Cáceres thrived due to its location on the Silver Route, a historic trade route.
Above Saint George’s Square stands the impressive Church of Saint James, built by the Jesuits. This area once housed other religious orders as well. Cáceres churches are quite distinct in their interior decorations. For example, the statues in the Church of Saint James are painted wooden sculptures, while the altar in the Church of Saint Mary is made of unpainted wood. The rugged locals here believed in the natural beauty of raw materials.
The Jesuits were fortunate to occupy a location with views of the palace. We had visited the summer wing of this palace earlier. The nearby Los Golfines Square is also named after this family, whose loyalty spared their tower from destruction.
Finally we reached the Saint Matthew neighborhood, home to the Church of Saint Matthew. This church is likely one of the oldest structures in the city, as its stonework is quite unique. It was built on the site of an old mosque constructed by the Moors centuries ago. Across from the church is one of the best hotels in Cáceres, part of a famous luxury chain.
And that concludes our quick tour. I thoroughly enjoyed this magnificent city. The ancient stones, sunlight and shadows cast by the medieval streets were captivating. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. See you on the next travel adventure.
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Beautiful photos and interesting history. Greetings.
Thank you! Greetings to you as well.
Hiya, @lauramica here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Top 3 in Travel Digest #2421.
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Thank you so much. I am happy to be in the Top 3🙏
You are very welcome @larissalugo! it was well deserved. ☀️
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Nice post. I was there last summer but did not have a chance to walk around town. I will surely do so next time.