A stunning Spanish city, just sees far fewer tourists than its more famous counterparts. Badajoz, the capital of the Province of Badajoz in Extremadura, Spain, . It's situated 38 miles from Merida, 141 miles east of Lisbon, and 252 miles from Madrid.
Following the Reconquista, for several centuries, with control alternating between the two nations leading to numerous wars including the Spanish War of Succession (1705), the Storming of Badajoz (1812), and the Spanish Civil War (1936). The city's tumultuous past is deeply ingrained in its architecture and landmarks, such as the Badajoz Cathedral, constructed in 1238, which bears resemblance to a fortress. Three of its windows are unique - one in Gothic style, another in Renaissance, and the third in Plateresque style (15th-century), reports .
Due to these conflicts, Badajoz's economy suffered greatly and its people lived in poverty. The agricultural land was infertile, making farming an insignificant industry. However, the city's historic monuments became major tourist attractions and continue to be so today, contributing to the growth of tourism and some industrial development.
The city boasts the ruins of the Moorish castle Alcazaba of Badajoz, which overlooks the Guadiana river, nestled between the castle-hill and the heavily fortified San Cristobal. This fort was the only significant stronghold on the southern Portuguese border during the 17th and 18th centuries, controlling the routes of southern Portugal and Andalusia. It.