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Old Town of Cáceres

Coordinates: 39°28′26″N 6°22′16″W / 39.474°N 6.371°W / 39.474; -6.371
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Old Town of Cáceres
Ciudad Monumental de Cáceres
Neighbourhood
Old Town of Cáceres is located in Extremadura
Old Town of Cáceres
Old Town of Cáceres
Old Town of Cáceres is located in Spain
Old Town of Cáceres
Old Town of Cáceres
Coordinates: 39°28′26″N 6°22′16″W / 39.474°N 6.371°W / 39.474; -6.371
Country Spain
Autonomous community Extremadura
ProvinceCáceres
MunicipalityCáceres
CriteriaCultural: (iii)(iv)
Reference384bis
Inscription1986 (10th Session)
Extensions2016
Area9 ha (22 acres)
Buffer zone60.63 ha (149.8 acres)
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaHistoric ensemble
Designated21 January 1949
Reference no.RI-53-0000016

Old Town of Cáceres is a historic walled city in Cáceres, Spain.

Cáceres was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1986 [1] because of the city's blend of Roman, Moorish, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Thirty towers from the Islamic period still stand in Cáceres, of which the Torre del Bujaco is the most famous.

There have been settlements near Cáceres since prehistoric times. Evidence of this can be found in the caves of Maltravieso and El Conejar.[2] The city was founded by the Romans in 25 BC.

The Old Town (Parte Antigua) still has its ancient walls; this part of town is also well known for its multitude of storks' nests. The walls contain a medieval town setting with no outward signs of modernity, which is why many television shows and films have been shot there.[3][4] Game of Thrones filming locations included:

  • Museo de Cáceres, comprising the Palace of Las Veletas and the Casa de los Caballos (Season 7, Episode 5), where Sam Tarly is seen wandering around an old library
  • Arco de la Estrella (Star Arch) and Plaza Santa María (Season 7, Episode 3) locations for scenes for the King's Landing, where a parading of prisoners begins at the Plaza Santa Maria and ends at the Arco de la Estrella.[5]

History

[edit]

The origins of Cáceres were in 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 centre, and the outskirts.[6]

Panoramic of the Old Town as seen from the Bujaco Tower.

City limits

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The Old Town of Caceres is delimited in two great zones by the wall: intramuros (inside the wall) and extramuros (outside of the wall). The enclosure intramuros is what is usually known as "Monumental City" or "Old Part" and is the best known, while the area outside the walls is less well known. The whole Old Town, since the Middle Ages, is divided into 4 parishes, around which the structure of the city was configured. The four parishes are Santa Maria, San Mateo, Santiago and San Juan, with the first two intramuros and the last two outside the walls.

Santa María

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Plaza de Santa Maria

The Santa Maria quarter is formed by the union of two squares, the Plaza de Santa María and the Plaza de los Golfines, creating both a unique space. It is presided over by the Holy Church Cathedral of Santa María la Mayor, around which a set of palaces, mansions and noble houses are arranged delimiting the square. Adjacent to the apse of the Concatedral is the Palacio de Carvajal (headquarters of the Tourist Board of the Diputación de Cáceres, you can visit its interior facilities, the patio and the garden) and at the end of Calle Tiendas is possible to see the Torre de The Espaderos. Once again in the Plaza de Santa María you can see the Palacio de Hernando de Ovando and the Episcopal Palace, after which, in the Plaza del Conde de Canilleros, you will find the Toledo-Moctezuma Palace (Headquarters of the Provincial Historical Archives). If you continue in the Plaza de Santa María you can still see the Mayoralgo Palace, the House of Moraga (Provincial Center of Crafts), the House of Golfin-Toledo or Dukes of Valencia, the Palace of the Diputación, the Palace of Fomento and the magnificent Palace of Golfines de Abajo, which served as accommodation for the Catholic Monarchs during their stays in Caceres.

Saint George

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Plaza de San Jorge

The Plaza de San Jorge, in the center of the walled enclosure, is characterized by three buildings. Thus, it is dominated by the Church of San Francisco Javier or Church of the Precious Blood (in whose crypt is the Interpretation Center of the Holy Week of Cáceres and allows access to the largest cistern of Cáceres, eighteenth century). Next to it is located the College of the Company of Jesus. This baroque set that presides the square is accompanied to the right by the House of the Becerra (Headquarters of the Foundation Mercedes Calles and Carlos Ballestero). Finally, to the left, behind some stores selling souvenirs and handicrafts, is the Garden of Cristina de Ulloa, open space within the set formed by these three buildings of the Plaza de San Jorge, dedicated to the patron saint of the city.

San Mateo

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The Plaza de las Veletas is located in the San Mateo Quarter.

The San Mateo quarter, smaller than Santa Maria, is made up of three squares, the Plaza de San Mateo, the Plaza de San Pablo and the Plaza de las Veletas. This area is presided over by the Church of San Mateo (built on the old mosque). There is also another religious building, the Convent of San Pablo. Among the civil buildings, the most outstanding is the Palace of the Cáceres Ovando or Palace of the Storks (Headquarters of the Military Government). Completing the area of San Mateo, specifically in the Plaza de las Veletas, is the Palace of Veletas (Headquarters of the Archeology and Ethnography Section of the Museum of Cáceres, with a magnificent Almohad cistern, the oldest in the city) and The House of the Horses (Headquarters of the Section of Fine Arts of the Museum of Cáceres). Immediately behind the Church of San Mateo, there is a small square in which are three beautiful buildings that form a harmonious whole, the House of the Sun, the House of the Eagle and the Tower of Sande.

Returning again to the Plaza de San Mateo, it is possible to see the impressive Palace of Golfines de Arriba. Finally, from San Mateo, you can descend through the Calle Ancha to admire the set of buildings that delimit this street. Among them are the House of Lorenzo Ulloa (Headquarters of the School of Fine Arts Eulogio Blasco), the House of Diego de Ulloa the Rico, the House of Walls-Saavedra, the Palace of the Commander of Alcuéscar or the Marquis of Torreorgaz ( It houses the Parador de Turismo de Cáceres) and the Casa de los Sánchez Paredes.

At this point, after crossing Calle Ancha, you will find the Puerta de Mérida. At this level it is possible to see the Hospital de los Caballeros to the right, while if you turn left you can appreciate the House of the Perers (Headquarters of the College Major Francisco de Sande).

The Adarve of the Star

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El Arco de la Estrella (Star Arch) one of the entrances through the wall from the Plaza Mayor to the Medieval City.

From Plaza de San Mateo, if you take Calle Condes, you will reach the area of the Adarves. The adarves are the streets adjacent to the wall, which is also known as the round road. In Cáceres five streets retain the name of Adarves (Father Rosalío, Santa Ana, Estrella, Bishop Álvarez de Castro and Christ), although when speaking of "the adarves", usually refers to the first three, which are followed, As if it were one way. The adarves (of Father Rosalío, Santa Ana and Estrella) constitute a street in slope, with narrows and pavement of small songs.

In this area you can appreciate the Arco de Santa Ana and Puerta del Postigo, the Tower of the Ved or the Postigo and the Tower of Santa Ana. In a small square in front of the Arch of Santa Ana is located the Palace of the Counts of Adanero. As the adarves descend, on the left is the entrance to Casa Miron (Headquarters of the Municipal Museum of Cáceres), and a little lower on the right is the Plaza de los Caldereros. This square, to the right of the adarves, is delimited by two buildings, facing each other, the Palacio de la Generala and the Palace of Ribera. Both buildings are the headquarters of the Rectorate of the University of Extremadura.

In front of the Plaza de los Caldereros there is a small door that leads to a few stairs that descend to the Forum of the Balbos, delimited by the Tower of the Furnace and the Tower of the Yerba, you can see from here the Town Hall and the Plaza Mayor. If the adarves are completely lowered and you return to the Plaza de Santa María, at the height of the House of Moraga, it is possible to start the passage through an area of streets, alleys and alleys of the Monumental City of great charm. Here, in the House of Moraga, begins an axis formed by the streets Cuesta de Aldana and Olmos, located in straight line, narrow and tortuous. Here you will find such important buildings as the Mono House, the Casa del Aldana, the Mudéjar House, the Casa de los Ovando Perero and the San Antonio Nursery. Finally, the small square where the Nursing of San Antonio is located ends at the union of the Calle Puerta de Mérida with the Adarve of Father Rosalío, being able to appreciate the Hospital of the Magdalena.

Old Jewish Quarter

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Arco de Cristo

The Arco de Cristo is the eastern gate of the old wall of Cáceres. It conserves Roman ashlars and in the antiquity was the door of the thistle of the colony Norba Caesarina.

Caceres came to have two Jewish neighborhoods: the Old Judería (in the enclosure intramuros) and the Jewish Quarter (in the area outside the walls). The Old Jewish Quarter or Old Jewish Quarter is also known as the neighborhood of San Antonio de la Quebrada. It preserves the layout and organization of the typical streets of the Islamic and Jewish period. These are narrow streets and on slopes, with small squares connected to each other, and with streets "in bottom of sack", that is to say, streets without exit. The houses are small, one to two floors, mostly white and decorated some of them with flowers such as geraniums among others, which gives a great tipismo to this neighborhood. It is conformed by the streets of San Antonio, Callejón del Moral, Rincon de la Monja and Cuesta del Marqués among others. The main building and center of the old Jewish quarter is the Ermita de San Antonio (built on the old synagogue). An interesting house is the House of the Rich Jew (popularly known for presenting a stone facade instead of being covered with lime, as was typical of humble Jewish houses). In the same Jewish quarter, through one of its houses, it is possible to access the Baluarte de los Pozos. It is a section of wall advanced to the rest formed by two towers, the Tower of the Wells or the Gypsy and the Tower Coraja or the Aljibes. It was a key point to guarantee access to the Ribera water. Also in the Jewry itself, near the Pizarro Gate, you will find access to the Olivar de la Juderia, which consists of a space like a garden or park located at the foot of the wall.

If you continue on Rincón de la Monja street, at the junction of the street with Cuesta del Marqués, there are two buildings to highlight. One of them is the House of Durán de la Rocha and the other is the Arab Museum House. When descending by Cuesta del Marqués, you arrive at the lowest point of the Monumental City and the most located to the east. Here you can find the Arco del Cristo, Puerta del Río or the Council (the only door of Roman origin that has persisted in the city). From this point it is possible to visualize the Round Tower and, after crossing the arch, the River Tower. Surroundings

When the intramural enclosure could not accommodate more buildings, it was decided to build outside the walls around three fundamental spaces: the Plaza Mayor and the two parishes (Santiago and San Juan).

Main square

[edit]
Caceres Plaza Mayor

The Plaza Mayor is constituted as the center of the Historic Quarter and gateway to the Monumental City. It emerged as a large space for markets, outside the walls. It is dominated in its east side by a frontal formed by the Tower of Bujaco, the Hermitage of the Peace and the Arc of the Star, being able to see also the Tower of the Pulpits and the Tower of the Yerba. To the south is the Town Hall, built at the end of the 19th century. The rest of the Plaza Mayor is formed by arcades that have their origin in the sixteenth century, although the buildings built on them are of very different epochs.

The portals housed different guilds, such as the Pan Portal, the Portal of the Plateros, the Portal of the Scribes, the Portal of the Apothecaries and the Portal of the Watchers, among others. The rest of guilds of the city settled in streets near the Plaza Mayor, such as the well-known and commercial Calle Pintores and others such as Paneras, Hornos, Hornillos, Zapatería, Caleros, Tenerías, Rivera de Curtidores, Boilers, Shops. In the surroundings and in the vicinity of the Plaza Mayor are the two medieval parishes (Santiago and San Juan), around which new spaces were created that, together with the Plaza Mayor, created the urban structure of the enclosure outside the walls.

Main sights

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Storks are a common sight on towers in Cáceres. At least 14 storks nests can be seen by zooming in on the roof of this photo of a church located in the Monumental City.

Palaces and stately homes

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Wall

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  • The Bujaco Tower (Torre de Bujaco) (12th century), the emblem of Cáceres and the most striking construction in the Plaza Mayor, protects the northwest flank of the monumental city of Cáceres. The current name of the tower is modern, perhaps coming from the caliph Abu Ya'qub (Abu Jacob), builder of the tower. It is a genuinely Arab building with a square floor plan built on reused Roman ashlars.
  • The Star Arch (Arco de la Estrella) (18th century) has been the main entrance gate to the walled enclosure since the 15th century, being the best known in the medieval city of Cáceres. Before this arch the Catholic Monarchs swore the privileges of the city, granted centuries before by Alfonso IX: Isabel on June 30, 1477 and Fernando on February 27, 1478.
  • Arco de Cristo (remnants of Roman wall), also known as the Council Gate (Puerta del Concejo) or River Gate (Puerta del Río), is a monumental gate which gives access to the walled neighborhood through the eastern wall. Built with large Roman ashlars dating back to the 1st century, it is the oldest gate in the city and one of the few preserved remains of the ancient Roman colony Norba Caesarina.
  • Torre de Sande (14th–15th centuries) is a tower belonging to the Mansion of the Sande.

Cathedrals and churches

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  • Church and convent of San Pablo (15th century) Pablo (15th century) is a cloistered convent of Franciscan nuns, built on an old hermitage. It is popular n the city for its pastry products.
  • Convent of la Compañía de Jesus, in Baroque style, today used for art exhibitions.
  • Church of Santa María, (Iglesia Concatedral de Santa Maria)is a Gothic-style cathedral built in the 13th century.
  • Iglesia de San Mateo, a Gothic-style 15th-century church, dedicated to Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, is built on the site of a former mosque. In the chapels are located the burials of numerous Cáceres nobles.
  • Iglesia de San Francisco Javier (18th century), also known as the Church of the Precious Blood, in Baroque style, is a Jesuit church built in the 18th century. It was built, next to the attached convent, with the fortune of a Jesuit from the Figueroa family, who was last link in an line that was becoming extinct. Construction began in 1698 and concluded in 1755.
  • Iglesia de San Juan Bautistais a large majestic Gothic-style church built between the 13th and 15th centuries.
  • Church and Convent of Santo Domingowas built during the 16th century by the Dominican Order and currently belongs to the mendicant Order of the Franciscans.
  • Hermitage de la Paz, completed in 1750, situated in the Plaza Mayor, stands on the remains of a Renaissance chapel dedicated to Saint Benedict. In 1720, the brotherhood of Our Lady of Peace asked the bishop for permission to rebuild the temple and be able to celebrate mass there.
  • Church of Santiago de los Caballeros, according to some documents, has origins dating to the 12th century, although the oldest remains that are preserved date to the 14th century. Two centuries later, in the midst of the Renaissance (16th century), the master Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón took charge of its restoration, incorporating at this time constructive and aesthetic elements typical of the time.
[edit]
  • The Plaza Mayor, located in the Parte Antigua (Monumental City) of Caceres
    The Plaza Mayor, located in the Parte Antigua (Monumental City) of Caceres
  • Church of Saint Francis Xaviar
    Church of Saint Francis Xaviar
  • Interior of the dome of the San Francisco Javier Church
    Interior of the dome of the San Francisco Javier Church
  • Veletas Palace
    Veletas Palace
  • Aljibe (cistern) of the Veletas Palace, constructed to store potable rainwater, with arches dating to the Roman period
    Aljibe (cistern) of the Veletas Palace, constructed to store potable rainwater, with arches dating to the Roman period
  • La Casa del Sol (House of the Sun)
    La Casa del Sol (House of the Sun)
  • Tower of Bujaco and Hermitage of the Peace
    Tower of Bujaco and Hermitage of the Peace
  • Palace of the Golfines de Abajo
    Palace of the Golfines de Abajo
  • Detail of the Casa de los Golfines de Abajo
    Detail of the Casa de los Golfines de Abajo
  • Courtyard of the Casa de los Golfines de Abajo
    Courtyard of the Casa de los Golfines de Abajo
  • Cathedral of Cáceres
    Cathedral of Cáceres
  • Adarve of the Star
    Adarve of the Star
  • City Hall in the Plaza Mayor
    City Hall in the Plaza Mayor
  • Palacio Casa de los Becerra
    Palacio Casa de los Becerra
  • Hospital of the Knights
    Hospital of the Knights
  • Toledo-Moctezuma Palace
    Toledo-Moctezuma Palace
  • Casa de los Cáceres Ovando
    Casa de los Cáceres Ovando
  • Casa de los Ovando
    Casa de los Ovando
  • Cuesta de Aldana
    Cuesta de Aldana
  • Palacio de Godoy
    Palacio de Godoy
  • Courtyard of the Palacio de Godoy
    Courtyard of the Palacio de Godoy
  • Palacio Episcopal (Episcopal Palace)
    Palacio Episcopal (Episcopal Palace)
  • Courtyard of the Palacio Episcopal
    Courtyard of the Palacio Episcopal
  • Palacio del Mayorazgo
    Palacio del Mayorazgo
  • Courtyard of the Palacio Mayorazgo
    Courtyard of the Palacio Mayorazgo
  • Entrance to the walled Monumental City
    Entrance to the walled Monumental City
  • Street in the Monumental City
    Street in the Monumental City
  • Torre de los Pulpitos
    Torre de los Pulpitos
  • Carvajal Palace
    Carvajal Palace
  • Torre de Carvajal
    Torre de Carvajal
  • Detail of corner balcony of the Palacio Carvajal
    Detail of corner balcony of the Palacio Carvajal
  • Aldarve Obispo Alvarez de Castro
    Aldarve Obispo Alvarez de Castro
  • Plaza de San Jorge
    Plaza de San Jorge
  • Plaza de San Jorge, Saint George on horseback slaying a dragon
    Plaza de San Jorge, Saint George on horseback slaying a dragon
  • Arco de Santa Ana
    Arco de Santa Ana
  • Tower of the Palacio de las Ciguenas (Stork Palace)
    Tower of the Palacio de las Ciguenas (Stork Palace)
  • Corner in the Monumental City
    Corner in the Monumental City
  • A small plaza in the Monumental City
    A small plaza in the Monumental City
  • Casa Mudejar, built in an architectural style, influenced by Islamic tradition, that also reflected contemporary European styles.
    Casa Mudejar, built in an architectural style, influenced by Islamic tradition, that also reflected contemporary European styles.
  • Casa de Aldana
    Casa de Aldana
  • Casa de los Cáceres-Nidos
    Casa de los Cáceres-Nidos
  • Palacio de la Isla
    Palacio de la Isla
  • Casa de Lorenzo de Ulloa
    Casa de Lorenzo de Ulloa
  • One of the arched entrances to the Monumental City
    One of the arched entrances to the Monumental City
  • Calle Olmos, a typical narrow street in the Monumental City
    Calle Olmos, a typical narrow street in the Monumental City
  • Casa del Mono
    Casa del Mono
  • Casa de Ovando-Mogollón, Perero y Paredes
    Casa de Ovando-Mogollón, Perero y Paredes
  • Casa de los Pereros
    Casa de los Pereros
  • Palace of los Sande
    Palace of los Sande
  • Arco de Cristo (Christ Arch) gate, in the monumental wall of Cáceres, is one of the few places on the wall where Roman construction elements remain.
    Arco de Cristo (Christ Arch) gate, in the monumental wall of Cáceres, is one of the few places on the wall where Roman construction elements remain.
  • Another view of the Arco de Cristo from the other side.
    Another view of the Arco de Cristo from the other side.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sue George (2 October 2009). "Cáceres: don't tell a soul | Spanish Tourist Board | guardian.co.uk". London: Guardian. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  2. ^ "Paper by Enrique CERRILLO CUENCA on the Conejar Cave" (PDF).
  3. ^ Europa Press (2 December 2016)."El rodaje de Juego de Tronos llega al centro de Cáceres (English: Game of Thrones Production Comes to Caceres)". 20 minutos. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  4. ^ Ortiz, C. (19 October 2011)"Vuelve a Cáceres el rodaje de la serie de TVE sobre Isabel la Católica (English:The production of TVE Series about Queen Isabella Returns to Caceres)". El Periodico. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  5. ^ ", Cáceres in 'Game of Thrones' – where all the action happened". Spain in English. Maravilla Pictures Ltd, a UK registered company. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Cáceres regional tourism web site".

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