Castles, palaces, entire towns… The traces of the Middle Ages They are more than present throughout the Spanish geography. Medieval buildings that have survived the passage of time in good condition have now been transformed into tourist attractions that fascinate history lovers.
Raised to withstand constant attacks, the walls They are some of the structures that have best survived to our time. Maybe the first ones that come to mind are those of Avila either those of Lugoand although it is true that they are one of the most emblematic in the country, if we look for the longest We will have to go to Extremadura. Is the city of Badajoz which has the longest wall not only in Spain, but in all of Europe, with 6,541 meters long.
From the Alcazaba to the Bastioned Wall
The geographical location of Badajoz, located right on the border with Portugal, “It has given it a marked military character since its foundation in 875,” they explain from their town hall. Thus, in that year the walled enclosure of the Alcazabaalthough with the passage of time it became small and had to be expanded in response to the growth of the city and the attacks of the enemies.
In the context of the Portuguese Restoration Warwhich confronted the kingdom of Portugal and the Hispanic Monarchy between 1640 and 1668, the new Bastioned Wallmade up of a large number of defensive elements such as bastions, moats, ravelins and forts, “and a design in which all angles of attack were covered, turning the city into a an almost impassable bastion to enemy artillery and any form of attack,” they point out.
In this way, the new wall was built around the old Alcazaba, which ended up becoming a citadel. Furthermore, the old medieval palaces were transformed into barracks for the military orders.
Sieges and reforms to the present day
He siege of Anglo-Portuguese troops In the 18th century, where the safety of the new walls was in question, it was renovated by the best engineers of the time. Likewise, the Fort of San Cristobalon the other side of the Guadiana. The 19th century brought with it a new siege, this time by the french troops“they themselves were the ones who would then carry out new reinforcements,” they detail.
Finally, we arrive at today, when the wall has left behind all its defensive functions to become one of the main tourist attractions of the city. On the one hand, we can visit the Alcazaba, with its four entrance doors, its quiet gardens, the remains of the church that was built on the ruins of a mosque and buildings such as the Palace of the Counts de Roca, headquarters of the Archaeological Museum of the province, the Episcopal Palace Tower and the Espantaperros Tower.
On the other hand, to visit the Abaluartada Wall we will have to start the tour along Ramón y Cajal streets, Avenida JoaquÃn Costa or Ronda del Pilar. Taking a route through the history of Badajoz, we will be able to see buildings of great value such as the bastions of San Pedro, Trinidad, Santa MarÃa, Santiago, San José, San Vicente and San Roque, as well as the Puerta del Pilar, the Puerta de las Palmas and the San Cristóbal Fortress.
