Cáceres is a city in the Extremadura region of Spain, situated about 50 miles from the Portuguese border. It is an ancient settlement; there are caves in the area which provide evidence of prehistoric human habitation. The Romans developed the present day city in 25 BC.
The ancient city walls are still well preserved and are renowned for the many storks’ nests there. Because of the originality of the walls, still bearing the medieval appearance with no signs of more modern construction, the city has attracted many film makers.
In 1986 the city’s mix of Islamic, Gothic, Roman and Italian architecture caused UNESCO to declare Cáceres a World Heritage City. One of the sites which would have helped Cáceres to achieve this honour is the 30 Muslim towers including that of Torre del Bujaco, probably the most well-known. This tower was constructed during the Almohad period in the 12th century and is some 25 metres high.
The next European City of Culture will be chosen in 2016 and Cáceres is hoping to be the leading contender. Among the city’s cultural attractions there are the traditional dances including flamenco and the jig that is unique to Cáceres, the strangely named “Blue Lycra”. To help in the city’s bid for the honour Jose Martin, the Chief of Police of Cáceres, regularly performs the dance in La Plaza Mayor, the main square.
In another of the city’s many squares, the Plaza de Santa Maria, stands the Carvajal Palace, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. At the centre of its renaissance courtyard grows a thousand-year-old fig tree. The palace also houses the Cáceres Tourist, Craft and Traditional Culture Board.
The climate of Cáceres is continental, giving cold winters with very hot summers, the average maximum temperature in the summer months being over 30°.
