Study in Badajoz, Spain

Study in Badajoz, Spain

The interesting and historical city of Badajoz, formerly written as “Badajos” in English, is the capital of the Province of Badajoz and is situated in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. The city is located near the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana. The population of Badajoz (proper) is roughly 155,000 permanent inhabitants.

Conquered by the Moors in the 8th century, Badajoz became a Moorish kingdom known as the Taifa of Badajoz. After the reconquista, the area was disputed between Spain and Portugal for several centuries, with alternating control resulting in several wars including the Spanish War of Succession (1705), the Peninsular War (1808–1811), the Storming of Badajoz (1812), and the Spanish Civil War (1936). The history of these struggles is widely reflected in the town.

Badajoz is the See of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mérida-Badajoz. Prior to the merger of the Diocese of Mérida and the Diocese of Badajoz, Badajoz was the See of the Diocese of Badajoz from the bishopric's inception in 1255. The city has a degree of eminence, crowned as it is by the ruins of a Moorish castle, and overlooking the Guadiana river, which flows between the castle-hill and the powerfully armed fort of San Cristobal. The architecture of Badajoz is indicative of its tempestuous history; even the Badajoz Cathedral, built in 1238, resembles a fortress, with its massive walls. Badajoz is home to the CD Badajoz and AD Cerro de Reyes football clubs and the AB Pacense basketball club. It is served by the Badajoz Railway Station and the Badajoz Airport.

Things to Do and See in Badajoz, Spain

There are many things to do and see in Spain, including a number of historical structures, churches and cathedrals, and museums.  Below we have highlighted just a few of these interesting attractions:

The Alcazaba of Badajoz

The Alcazaba of Badajoz is one of the best conserved walled Arab castles in the whole of Spain with various towers still intact. An ancient Moorish citadel, the Alcazaba, as it now appears, was built by the Almohad people during the 12th century, although it probably existed from the 9th century, when Badajoz was founded. In the 11th and 12th centuries it was the residence of the rulers of the Taifa of Badajoz. It was declared a national monument of Spain in 1931.

The Historical Quarter of Badajoz

Visitors to the Historical Quarter of Badajoz can stroll around the old part of the town to admire the city’s old plazas, especially the Plaza de San José, Plaza de España and La Plaza Alta. There are also some interesting churches located in the Old Quarter, including the Iglesia de Santa Domingo, San Andres Church and the Iglesia San Agustin de la Concepcion. Visitors should also look for the two towers flanking the old entrance to the city, the Puerta de Palmas, which dates back to the 16th century. The bridge, which measures 582 meters in length by 13 meters in height, was built over the Guadiana River and includes 32 arches.

Cathedral of San Juan

The Cathedral of San Juan is a very impressive building built between the 13th and 16th centuries. The structure was built predominantly in the Gothic and Romantic architectural styles, with three aisles and twelve inner chapels.