The History of Extremadura through its Emblematic Cities

From Roman ages all the way to Arab stage until the Conquest of America this is a small travel across some of the most important cities of Extremadura: Mérida, Trujillo y Cáceres.

Written by Mª Dolores Gómez Tamayo

Roman Theatre -Mérida

We begin our journey in the city of Mérida. It has preserved the monumental well-kept remains of the Roman colony of Emerita Augusta. It was founded on 25 b.C. and it became one of the most important colonies of the Roman Empire.

The Theatre, Amphiteatre, Roman Forum and the Circus are in a very good state of upkeep. Besides, temples, roads, bridges, aqueducts and dams are attractive remains that show the Roman presence in Mérida and its surroundings.

At the north of Mérida, in the Silver Way we reached Cáceres, here the Arab influence is shown in every single detail and corner of this city. The almohads conquered the city and turned it into an Arab city called Oarci. This was perfectly defined with its walls and doors.

Palacio de las Veletas' cistern - Cáceres

The arab remains in Cáceres are the walls, the merloned towers and the magnificient well-kept cistern which is situated on the underground floor of Palacio de las Veletas.

Nevertheless, in Cáceres stands out the medieval remains; the old part of the town was declared World Heritage by Unesco in 1986. The visitor enters in the Middle Ages through noble stately homes, churches and convents. The towers of the Old Town of Cáceres show a special feature, all of them were cut the top off. The Queen Isabella I of Castile commanded it in order to punish the pride and insubordinated nobility in the city.

We finish our short journey in Trujillo, craddle of Francisco Pizarro one of the Conquerors of America. Trujillo's palaces and stately houses are ,therefore, a reflection of the the wealth that the Conquest of America brought to Extremadura and specially to Trujillo.

Castle walls - Trujillo

Among all these palaces the Marqueses de la Conquista's Palace stands out , it belonged to Pizarro family. Its balcony is adorned with plateresque motifs and a reference to Inés Huylas Yupanqui, an Inca princess married to a Pizarro's relative .

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