The Spanish city on the border with Portugal has retained its historical charm: there are almost no tourists there

Spain is not just about warm seas and crowded beaches. Those who want to discover an interesting but little-known route and are ready to plunge into history should pay attention to the small city of Badajoz, located just 6 km from the Portuguese border.

The city is the capital of the eponymous province of Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain and is located on the left bank of the Guadiana River. The incredible city has preserved its historical charm and will be an ideal vacation spot for those who are tired of popular tourist routes. According to journalists, Badajoz is located 60 km from Merida, 226 km east of Lisbon, and 400 km from Madrid.

After the Reconquista, this territory was the subject of disputes between Spain and Portugal for several centuries, with alternate control, which led to several wars, including the War of the Spanish Succession (1705), the storming of Badajoz (1812) and the Spanish Civil War (1936).

The main cathedral of the city is an architectural monument built in 1238. Three of its windows are unique: one in the Gothic style, the second in the Renaissance style, and the third in the Plateresque style (15th century).

As a result of long wars and border disputes, the economy of Badajoz suffered greatly and the treasury was constantly emptied. The agricultural land was not fertile, so this industry was not very important. Instead, the historical sites in the city became the main tourist attractions, and the growth of tourism led to the resumption of industrial development.

In the city, you can see the ruins of the Moorish castle of Alcazaba, overlooking the Guadiana River, which flows between the castle hill and the powerful fort of San Cristobal. It was the only important fort on the southern Portuguese border during the 17th and 18th centuries, controlling the routes of southern Portugal and Andalusia.

A walk through the historic quarter will reveal a unique mix of cultures: Arabian walls, Christian monuments, Moorish ruins.

The 30-meter-high Espantaperros Tower offers a panoramic view of the city. The 16th-century building attached to it once served as the town hall, then a prison, and now houses the Archaeological Museum. This monument was surrounded by a well-kept garden where archaeological finds from the Visigothic and Roman periods were found.

Other attractions include the Plaza Alta, dating from the 15th-17th centuries, which was the center of the city as it extended beyond the Muslim citadel.

The Giralda, located near the Plaza de la Soledad, is a replica of the Giralda in Seville. Completed in 1930, the building is decorated with ceramic tiles and metal, and features the symbol of Mercury, which represents commerce.

The Puerta de Palmas was built in 1551 with two cylindrical towers surrounding the front door. The building was once used as a prison, but is now the main entrance to the old town.

Badajoz railway station is located in the north of the city. It combines long- and medium-distance trains and is the last Spanish station before the Portuguese rail system. It is expected that the old trains will soon be replaced by high-speed service on the southwest Portuguese corridor and the Madrid-Lisbon line.

Badajoz Airport is located east of the city center and serves two civilian routes: one to Barcelona and the other to Madrid.

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