From prehistoric times to Gothic and Baroque, many different cultures, knowledge, and artistic styles have overlapped.
Heading west in Spain ~ Badajoz Province (Region)
The city of Badajoz, from prehistoric times to Gothic and Baroque, has seen many different cultures, knowledge, and artistic styles overlap.
Surrounded by grasslands, which are the foundation of the local economy - excellent pastures for livestock farming. Its old town has been declared a cultural heritage site.
The origins of Jerez de los Caballeros can be traced back to the Phoenician era, although various cultures that arrived on the peninsula have always inhabited this area. The oldest archaeological find in the area is the dolmen of Granja de Torriñuelo, declared a national monument, alongside which paintings and interesting burial treasures were also found. Roman villas, Visigothic remains, and Arab influences form part of the landscape of this area, located between Portugal and Andalusia, and this cultural diversity can also be found in many traditions and customs.
But Extremadura has always been the cradle of explorers and conquerors; specifically, Jerez de los Caballeros is the birthplace of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. After the colonization of the Americas, many nobles and government officials returned to their birthplace with wealth from the New World. Thus, the historic district of Jerez de los Caballeros blends popular architecture with ancient churches, monasteries, noble houses, and mansions, all dominated by the majestic Templar fortress of Arab origin.