Medieval History in Southern Spain

A huge part of my decision to move to Spain was the chance to live in a fairy tale-like medieval city, and Caceres is just that! About three hours drive from Madrid in the rural region of Extremadura, Caceres is packed with history. The city came to prominence due to the Catholic Monarchs (Queen Isabella I and Fernando II) using it as a base and staging area for their conquests of the Islamic kingdoms in the South of Spain in the mid-15th Century. Visitors can find Roman, Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance architecture all mixed together in an unspoiled fashion that is hard to find anywhere else in Spain. If that wasn't enough, there is also loads of history from the Siglo de Oro (Golden Age) when Spain expanded her empire. Returning conquistadors brought back huge fortunes from South America and showed it off with towering stone constructions that jointly dominate Caceres with the older towers.

UNESCO World Heritage City

There are 30 towers that date from Spain's Islamic period, ivy covered medieval noble family palaces and even the Arc d'Estrella (Arch of Stars) which was used in Game of Thrones. The most impressive thing about the Old Town in Caceres is that no new buildings have been allowed to join their older siblings, leaving this bit of the city completely original and unchanged.

The picture above shows me on the steps leading from the Plaza Major (main square) to the Old Town, where keen Game of the Thrones fans will remember Euron Greyjoy parading his captives in this 'Kings Landing' scene. One of my favourite things about the city is the low cost but very high quality food. My personal recommendations would be Mastropiero (for a swanky outdoor garden bar) and La Adalusa for cheap and utterly delicious traditional food!

Aside from delicious, traditional and cheap food, tree lined avenues and historical buildings, one of my favourite things about Caceres (and Spain in general actually) is the way they spotlight their important buildings at night. I've never seen such dedication and thought put into creating a beautifully atmospheric night-time experience. It doesn't matter whether in Madrid, Salamanca, Toledo or Caceres, wandering these cities at night gives a whole new perspective that filters out the newer buildings and shows off the original elements of these important Medieval destinations.