Social
Program
See program for December 15th
(Friday)
Thursday, December 14th: Guided visit through
Badajoz
(detailed program to be announced)
Badajoz has a population of 130,000 and inside its province is found the capital of the
Community of Extremadura, Mérida. The province is the largest in Spain and covers an area
of 8,500 square miles (21,757km²). The town lies at an altitude of 614ft above sea level
(186m) on a hillside near where the rivers Rivillas and Guadiana meet. The Portuguese
border is only 4 miles from this castle dominated town.
Alcazaba
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The walls and battlement towers that
enclosed this vast fortress have survived the passing of the centuries and are virtually
intact. The oldest part was built by Abd al Rahman Ibn Marwan who battled against the Emir
of Cordoba in the year 875 while the Almohad part of the fortress was built in the later
half of the 12th century. The main tower is the octagonally shaped Espantaperros Tower and
this is the highest point of the city, from here you can enjoy splendid views over the
Vegas Bajas. |
The Cathedral
This has the appearance of a fortress and is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It was
built between the 13th and 16th centuries and is primarily of romanic-gothic style. Parts
of the building added on in later stages are of a mixture of architectural styles. There
are three aisles and twelve inner chapels. The only steeple is square and solid and is
made up of four sections one part being the belfry. In the interior of the building the
16th century Choir is of great interest. It is of renaissance style and was designed by
Jerónimo de Valencia as indeed was the baroque altarpiece. The cathedral houses paintings
of Zurbarán, Ribera, Bocanegra and Morales el Divino.
Plaza de España
Both the Cathedral and the City Hall face onto this the main square of the city. A
monument to the painter Luis de Morales, commonly known as el Divino can be found in the
Plaza. This local artist was born in 1510 and died in 1576. The sculpture is the work of
Gabino Amaya.
http://usuarios.lycos.es/jose958/badajoz/sanjuan/plazadeespana.html
Plaza de Cervantes
The 17th century church the Iglesia de San Andrés can be found in this square and one can
view work by Morales, el Divino. In the centre there is a monument dedicated to the local
painter Zurbarán and this is the work of Aurelio Cabrera.
Puente de las Palmas
The bridge of Las Palmas crosses the Guadiana river and lies in front of the gateway
mentioned above. It was built at the end of the 16th century by the architect Juan de
Herrera and is supported by romanic pillars. It is made up of 32 arches and is 1,920ft.
long (582m) and 43ft. high (13m)
Other sites we will visit:
La Giralda
Extremadura Museum of Contemporary Art
Torre de Espantaperros
Castelar Park
Cathedral Museum
Sleeping city
See program for December 15th
(Friday)
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