Cáceres, Spain
Encyclopedia
Cáceres (ˈkaθeɾes) is the capital of the same name province
, in the autonomous community
of Extremadura
, Spain
. , its population was 91,131 inhabitants. The municipio
has a land area of 1,750.33 km², and is the largest in geographical extension in Spain.
There have been settlements near Cáceres since prehistoric times. Evidence of this can be found in the caves of Maltravieso and El Conejar. The city was founded by the Romans
in 25 BC.
The old town (Ciudad Monumental) still has its ancient walls; this part of town is also well known for its multitude of stork
s' nests. The walls contain a medieval
town setting with no outward signs of modernity, which is why many films have been shot there. The Universidad de Extremadura, and two astronomical observatories
are situated in Cáceres. The city is also a seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Coria-Cáceres.
Cáceres was declared a World Heritage City
by UNESCO
in 1986 because of the city's blend of Roman
, Islamic
, Northern Gothic
and Italian Renaissance architecture
. Thirty towers from the Muslim period
still stand in Cáceres, of which the Torre del Bujaco is the most famous.
region of western central Spain.
The city has a continental climate which is tempered by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. In winter the average temperature does not exceed 10 °C maximum, reaching 5 °C minimum, with some frost. In summer the average maximum temperature is 31 °C and the average minimum is 18 °C. Rainfall is abundant in the months of October, November, March, April and May, but very intermittent.
The origins of Cáceres go back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the paintings in the Cuevas de Maltravieso (Maltravieso Caves) which date back to the late Paleolithic
period. Visitors can see remains from medieval
times, the Roman occupation
, Moorish occupation and the Golden age of Jewish culture in Spain. Cáceres has four main areas to be explored: the historical quarter, the Jewish quarter, the modern center, and the outskirts.
The first evidence of humans living in Cáceres is from the Late Paleolithic era, around 25,000 BC. Cáceres as a city was founded as Castra Caecilia by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius
and started to gain importance as a strategic city under Roman occupation, and remains found in the city suggest that it was a thriving center as early as 25 BC. Some remains of the first city walls built by the Romans in the 3rd and 4th centuries still exist, including one gateway, the Arco del Cristo.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city was occupied by the Visigoths, and entered a period of decline until the Arab
s conquered Cáceres in the 8th century. The city spent the next few centuries mostly under Arab rule, although power alternated several times between Moors and Christians. During this time, the Arabs rebuilt the city, including a wall, palaces, and various towers, including the Torre de Bujaco. Cáceres was reconquered by the Christians in the 13th century (1229). During this period the city had an important Jewish quarter: in the 15th century when the total population was 2,000, nearly 140 Jewish families lived in Cáceres. The Jewish population was expelled by Queen Isabella
and Ferdinand of Aragon
in 1492, but many remains of the Jewish presence of the period can still be seen today in the Barrio San Antonio.
Cáceres flourished during the Reconquista
and the Discovery of America, as influential Spanish families and nobles built homes and small palaces there, and many members of families from Extremadura participated in voyages to America where they made their fortunes. In the 19th century, Cáceres became the capital of the province, marking a period of growth which was halted by the Spanish Civil War
. Today, the headquarters of the university as well as several regional government departments are to be found in Cáceres.
Salt-cured ham and red wine are produced locally and are officially recognized by the Spanish government. Both goat and sheep cheese are produced by traditional methods and renowned throughout the country. Cáceres is also famous for its stews, roast meats (especially pork, lamb and game), fried breadcrumbs (migas), trout, pastries and honey.
(founded in 1973) has a campus in Cáceres. It comprises several schools:
The university has three other campuses in Badajoz, Mérida and Plasencia.
, Spain
La Roche-sur-Yon
, France
Castelo Branco
, Portugal
Portalegre, Portugal
Piano di Sorrento
, Italy
Gaza
, Palestine
Netanya
, Israel
Cáceres (province)
The province of Cáceres is a province of western Spain, in the northern part of the autonomous community of Extremadura. It is bordered by the provinces of Salamanca, Ávila, Toledo, and Badajoz, and by Portugal....
, in the autonomous community
Autonomous communities of Spain
An autonomous community In other languages of Spain:*Catalan/Valencian .*Galician .*Basque . The second article of the constitution recognizes the rights of "nationalities and regions" to self-government and declares the "indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation".Political power in Spain is...
of Extremadura
Extremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. , its population was 91,131 inhabitants. The municipio
Municipalities of Spain
The municipalities of Spain In other languages of Spain:*Catalan/Valencian , sing. municipi.*Galician or , sing. municipio/bisbarra.*Basque , sing. udalerria. are the basic level of Spanish local government...
has a land area of 1,750.33 km², and is the largest in geographical extension in Spain.
There have been settlements near Cáceres since prehistoric times. Evidence of this can be found in the caves of Maltravieso and El Conejar. The city was founded by the Romans
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
in 25 BC.
The old town (Ciudad Monumental) still has its ancient walls; this part of town is also well known for its multitude of stork
Stork
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with long, stout bills. They belong to the family Ciconiidae. They are the only family in the biological order Ciconiiformes, which was once much larger and held a number of families....
s' nests. The walls contain a medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
town setting with no outward signs of modernity, which is why many films have been shot there. The Universidad de Extremadura, and two astronomical observatories
Observatory
An observatory is a location used for observing terrestrial or celestial events. Astronomy, climatology/meteorology, geology, oceanography and volcanology are examples of disciplines for which observatories have been constructed...
are situated in Cáceres. The city is also a seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Coria-Cáceres.
Cáceres was declared a World Heritage City
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
in 1986 because of the city's blend of Roman
Roman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture adopted certain aspects of Ancient Greek architecture, creating a new architectural style. The Romans were indebted to their Etruscan neighbors and forefathers who supplied them with a wealth of knowledge essential for future architectural solutions, such as hydraulics...
, Islamic
Islamic architecture
Islamic architecture encompasses a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, influencing the design and construction of buildings and structures in Islamic culture....
, Northern Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
and Italian Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture
Renaissance architecture is the architecture of the period between the early 15th and early 17th centuries in different regions of Europe, demonstrating a conscious revival and development of certain elements of ancient Greek and Roman thought and material culture. Stylistically, Renaissance...
. Thirty towers from the Muslim period
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
still stand in Cáceres, of which the Torre del Bujaco is the most famous.
Geography
The city of Cáceres is located in the province of Cáceres, in the ExtremaduraExtremadura
Extremadura is an autonomous community of western Spain whose capital city is Mérida. Its component provinces are Cáceres and Badajoz. It is bordered by Portugal to the west...
region of western central Spain.
The city has a continental climate which is tempered by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. In winter the average temperature does not exceed 10 °C maximum, reaching 5 °C minimum, with some frost. In summer the average maximum temperature is 31 °C and the average minimum is 18 °C. Rainfall is abundant in the months of October, November, March, April and May, but very intermittent.
History
Paleolithic
The Paleolithic Age, Era or Period, is a prehistoric period of human history distinguished by the development of the most primitive stone tools discovered , and covers roughly 99% of human technological prehistory...
period. Visitors can see remains from medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
times, the Roman occupation
Hispania
Another theory holds that the name derives from Ezpanna, the Basque word for "border" or "edge", thus meaning the farthest area or place. Isidore of Sevilla considered Hispania derived from Hispalis....
, Moorish occupation and the Golden age of Jewish culture in Spain. Cáceres has four main areas to be explored: the historical quarter, the Jewish quarter, the modern center, and the outskirts.
The first evidence of humans living in Cáceres is from the Late Paleolithic era, around 25,000 BC. Cáceres as a city was founded as Castra Caecilia by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius was a pro-Sullan politician and general. He was named Pius because of his 99 BC petition to return his father from exile and was true to his cognomen for the constance and inflexibility with which he always fought for his father's rehabilitation and return to...
and started to gain importance as a strategic city under Roman occupation, and remains found in the city suggest that it was a thriving center as early as 25 BC. Some remains of the first city walls built by the Romans in the 3rd and 4th centuries still exist, including one gateway, the Arco del Cristo.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the city was occupied by the Visigoths, and entered a period of decline until the Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
s conquered Cáceres in the 8th century. The city spent the next few centuries mostly under Arab rule, although power alternated several times between Moors and Christians. During this time, the Arabs rebuilt the city, including a wall, palaces, and various towers, including the Torre de Bujaco. Cáceres was reconquered by the Christians in the 13th century (1229). During this period the city had an important Jewish quarter: in the 15th century when the total population was 2,000, nearly 140 Jewish families lived in Cáceres. The Jewish population was expelled by Queen Isabella
Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I was Queen of Castile and León. She and her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon brought stability to both kingdoms that became the basis for the unification of Spain. Later the two laid the foundations for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor...
and Ferdinand of Aragon
Ferdinand II of Aragon
Ferdinand the Catholic was King of Aragon , Sicily , Naples , Valencia, Sardinia, and Navarre, Count of Barcelona, jure uxoris King of Castile and then regent of that country also from 1508 to his death, in the name of...
in 1492, but many remains of the Jewish presence of the period can still be seen today in the Barrio San Antonio.
Cáceres flourished during the Reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
and the Discovery of America, as influential Spanish families and nobles built homes and small palaces there, and many members of families from Extremadura participated in voyages to America where they made their fortunes. In the 19th century, Cáceres became the capital of the province, marking a period of growth which was halted by the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
. Today, the headquarters of the university as well as several regional government departments are to be found in Cáceres.
Cathedrals and churches
- Church and convent of San Pablo (15th century)
- Convent of la Compañía de Jesus, in Baroque style, today used for art exhibitions
- Church of Santa María, cathedral built in the 13th century, in Gothic styleGothic architectureGothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
- Iglesia de San Mateo, a 15th century church built on the site of a former mosque
- Iglesia de San Francisco Javier (18th century), in Baroque styleBaroque architectureBaroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
- Iglesia de San Juan, large majestic church built between the 13th and 15th century
- Hermitage of San Antonio Iglesia de Santo Domingo
- Hermitage de la Paz
- Church of Santiago
Wall
- Torre de Bujaco (12th century)
- Arco de la Estrella (18th century)
- Torre de Sande (14th-15th centuries)
- Torre de los Púlpitos
- Torre de la Hierba
- Arco de Santa Ana
- Torre del Horno
- Torre del Postigo
- Torre Redonda
- Torre Desmochada
- Arco del Cristo
- Arco del Socorro
Palaces and stately homes
- Palacio de los Golfines de Arriba
- Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo. Queen Isabella I of CastileIsabella I of CastileIsabella I was Queen of Castile and León. She and her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon brought stability to both kingdoms that became the basis for the unification of Spain. Later the two laid the foundations for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor...
and King Ferdinand I lived here - Palacio del Comendador de Alcuescar
- Palacio-Fortaleza de los Torreorgaz, today a Parador hotel
- Palacio Episcopal
- Palacio de Carvajal (15th century). It is now seat of the Patronage Office for Tourism and Handicraft of the province
- Palacio de Godoy
- Palacio de Mayoralgo
- Mansión de los Sande
- Palacio de las Veletas
- Palacio de los Cáceres-Ovando
- Casa del Mono
- Palacio de los Toledo-Moctezuma
- Casa del Sol
- Casa Mudejar
- Casa de Carvajal y Ulloa
Museums
- Museum of Cáceres - ALJIBE - housed in La Casa de las Veletas y la Casa de los Caballos in the historical quarter.
- La Casa-Museo Árabe, between the Plaza San Jorge and the Arco del Cristo. Arab culture, art and remains.
- Museo Concatedral de Caceres, in the Plaza Santa Maria. Religious art.
- Museo Piedrilla - Guayasamín
Nature reserves and rural tourism
- Monfragüe National Park: It encompasses 85 square kilometers or 17,852 hectares and contains the following villages: Torrejón el Rubio, Serradilla, Malpartida de Plasencia, Toril, Serrejón, Jaraicejo and Casas de Miravete. The park contains one of the largest areas of Mediterranean forest and scrub in Spain with over 1,400 different species of trees. A favorite with birdwatchers, the park has the world's largest colony of Black Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle. It also harbours breeding pairs of Black Storks (with the most visible nests in Iberia), Eagle Owl, Black-shouldered Kites and many grassland birds including Great and Lesser Bustards and Sandgrouse. Camping is not allowed in the park, though a camp site and various types of lodging are near the park.
- Los Barruecos Natural Monument, 14 km away from the city, in the locality of Malpartida de CáceresMalpartida de CáceresMalpartida de Cáceres is a municipality in the province of Cáceres with a population of 4368 inhabitants...
. It has massive granite boulders with the only colony of White Stork nesting on them. There is also a medieval reservoir and a mill for wool washing. The building complex has been restores and houses a surprising collection of art by German artist Wolf Vostell, who was an important member of the fluxusFluxusFluxus—a name taken from a Latin word meaning "to flow"—is an international network of artists, composers and designers noted for blending different artistic media and disciplines in the 1960s. They have been active in Neo-Dada noise music and visual art as well as literature, urban planning,...
movement. Spring brings an explosion of colour with the blossom of Spanish White Broom all pervasive in the area. - The Cáceres and Trujillo plains are protected under the ZEPA (Spanish for Special Protection Area for birds or SPA) protection figure.
Festivals
- The Festival of the Martyrs (La Fiesta de los mártires) is held in January.
- Carnival, The Festival of the Candles ( La Fiesta de las Candelas) and Fiesta de San Blas are held in February.
- The Easter Festival Semana Santa is held during the week before Easter Sunday. Processions wind through the narrow streets in the historical center.
- Music Festival Extremúsika, held around March–April.
- Music Festival del Oeste, a pop, rock and heavy music festival, around first days of July.
- The San Jorge Festival, held on the 22–23 April, involves a dragon being burnt in a bonfireBonfireA bonfire is a controlled outdoor fire used for informal disposal of burnable waste material or as part of a celebration. Celebratory bonfires are typically designed to burn quickly and may be very large...
in the town square (La Plaza Mayor), accompanied by a fireworksFireworksFireworks are a class of explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. A fireworks event is a display of the effects produced by firework devices...
display. - WOMADWorld of Music, Arts and DanceWOMAD is an international arts festival. The central aim of WOMAD is to celebrate the world's many forms of music, arts and dance.-History:...
music festival is held at the beginning of May. - Ferias de San Fernando is held at the end of May.
- Fleadh Cáceres is a new cultural event that occurs between October and November months. The idea comes from Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann which is an Irish music event that happens every August in IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Shopping and cuisine
The small streets in the historical center have lots of small shops selling typical products. The convents sell homemade sweets and pastries. Wines from Extremadura are affordable, full-bodied red wine. Local liquors include cherry liquor made with cherries from the nearby Jerte valley, or other original liquors such as chestnut or blackberry. Other produce in the province include sheep cheese (Torta del Casar, is not made of goat milk, but with milk from merino sheep), fig cake, chestnuts, hams and other pork products, lamb, olive oil, and paprika (pimentón de la Vera).Salt-cured ham and red wine are produced locally and are officially recognized by the Spanish government. Both goat and sheep cheese are produced by traditional methods and renowned throughout the country. Cáceres is also famous for its stews, roast meats (especially pork, lamb and game), fried breadcrumbs (migas), trout, pastries and honey.
Education
The University of ExtremaduraUniversity of Extremadura
University of Extremadura is a Spanish public university in Extremadura .-External links:*...
(founded in 1973) has a campus in Cáceres. It comprises several schools:
- Polytechnic School (offering studies in Computer Engineering, Architecture, amongst others)
- Nursing and Occupational Therapy School
- School of Sports Science
- School of Teaching
- School of Business and Tourism
- Veterinary School
- Philosophy and Letters School (offering studies in Literature and History, amongst others)
- Law School
The university has three other campuses in Badajoz, Mérida and Plasencia.
Neighborhoods
- Center: 26,914 inhabitants.
- West (new): 15,726 inhabitants.
- South: 14,738 inhabitants.
- Mejostilla: 11,484 people.
- Aldea Moret: 6,756 inhabitants
- Old Town, 5,799 inhabitants.
- West: 4,591 inhabitants.
- North: 4,656 inhabitants.
- East: 2,646 inhabitants.
- Pedanías (Rincón de Ballesteros Valdesalor and Arroyo-Malpartida Station): 749 inhabitants.
- Rest: 295 inhabitants.
Twin towns
Santiago de CompostelaSantiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
La Roche-sur-Yon
La Roche-sur-Yon
La Roche-sur-Yon is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire region in western France.It is the capital of the department. Its inhabitants are called Yonnais.-History:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Castelo Branco
Castelo Branco
Castelo Branco Municipality is located in Castelo Branco District, in Centro Region, Portugal. The name means "white castle". It contains the city of Castelo Branco....
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
Portalegre, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
Piano di Sorrento
Piano di Sorrento
Piano di Sorrento is a comune in the Province of Naples in the Italian region Campania, located about 25 km southeast of Naples.Piano di Sorrento borders the following municipalities: Meta, Sant'Agnello, Vico Equense....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Gaza
Gaza
Gaza , also referred to as Gaza City, is a Palestinian city in the Gaza Strip, with a population of about 450,000, making it the largest city in the Palestinian territories.Inhabited since at least the 15th century BC,...
, Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
Netanya
Netanya
Netanya is a city in the Northern Centre District of Israel, and is the capital of the surrounding Sharon plain. It is located north of Tel Aviv, and south of Haifa between the 'Poleg' stream and Wingate Institute in the south and the 'Avichail' stream in the north.Its of beaches have made the...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
External links
- Cáceres City Council website
- Astronomical Observatory
- Cáceresjoven - Website with information about Cáceres
- Festival del Oeste 2009 - Official website of Festival del oeste with dates, location, tourist and transport information an de line-up of 2009 festival.
- Cáceres: Don't Tell a Soul by The GuardianThe GuardianThe Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
- Official Website the region Extremadura