Caceres
The old town of Caceres is renowned for its well-preserved 12th century Arab city walls (notably the Torre Mochada and Torre del Bujaco). Caceres was recaptured from the Moors in 1229.
New groups of settlers were attracted, which led to rivalling factions constructing their houses, palaces and towers in their own styles. The city's architecture now is a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance styles.
Visit March 2008
Modern Caceres is a sprawling and bustling city with about 90.000 inhabitants. You cannot even see the towers of the Old Town from the access roads, as it's all very built up. No trouble parking though, for a mere 1 Euro-cent per minute I had a spot in a parking garage very close to the center.
A few narrow streets and you're at the Plaza Mayor, where you'll get the first view of the magnificent gates, walls and towers of Caceres. The Torre del Bujaco is the most prominent one. You can climb it, and get a good overview over the historic centre. And have a good look at the numerous storks. They clearly like all those towers for nesting!
The Old Town is very compact and a pleasure to navigate on foot. It holds historic buildings very similar in style and colouring. It has a museumish atmosphere, because only at the fringes there are houses where people actually live in. At one of the little plazas a folk music & dance group was performing, entertaining the numerous day trippers around. I ended my tour on a terrace in the sun, an appropriate ending to a pleasant afternoon spent in Old Caceres.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
John Booth (New Zealand):
From opposite Caceres station I took bus # L1 to the Plaza Major and entered the compact old town through the Arch of the Stars. While this entrance and the old walls and towers are in a good state of repair the buildings are really nothing special compared to Salamanca or Segovia.
Fiestas must be a regular feature here because one was in progress in the Plaza Las Valetas during my visit. |
| Date posted: March 2010 |
Ana y Antonio (Spain):
Dear friends!We love this town. We got there in Easter a couple of years ago by bike coming from Salamanca and we were surprised not only because of the monuments but for the processions... We live in Spain, but it was the first time we saw it!
I hope you need to come to Spain to visit more World Heritage Sites, so we can offer you our home. Un abrazo!! |
| Date posted: April 2008 |
Sarah (Ireland):
I was there for six months as part of a university exchange program. I loved the city! It's absolutely beautiful, the paople are lovely and the scenery is amzing! Will be going there again when I am no longer apenniless student:) |
| Date posted: October 2006 |
Florencio Moreno-Anega (Spain):
This world heritage site is very special to me as I was born here.
If you visit old town in Caceres you'll feel as if you're back in the Middle Age.
Quiet town (but with well-known nightlife), lovely people, well worth a visit. |
| Date posted: April 2006 |
Jose Gomes (Portugal):
I visited this city twice. Is is one of my favorite places in Spain. The city walls surround several nice palaces. Caution, during the summer the temperature may be above 40 oC. |
| Date posted: June 2005 |
Roger & Veronica Elliott . (Brisbane Australia):
We visited in 1997 stayed at Hotel Iberia and had a wonderful time beautiful town lovely people.
loved the old buildings.
We will be back! |
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