"The Alcazaba of Badajoz, is a Moorish fortification (9th–13th centuries), a late medieval Christian castle (13th–16th centuries), and part of the modern citadel and fortification (17th–19th centuries), located in the Spanish city of Badajoz.
The citadel-castle of Badajoz is the largest citadel in Europe (in terms of its construction from the Arab period), and one of the largest in the world of its kind and period, in terms of its perimeter (8 hectares and about 1300 meters of preserved wall), although its extension became much larger with the so-called "Old Fence" (of which important vestiges still survive), which comprises, approximately, the entire fortified enclosure of later construction, with dimensions of 6000 meters and more than 50 hectares, which make it one of the largest among those built by the Arabs in the past (along with cities like Granada.
To the north, it is surrounded by the Guadiana River and to the east by the Rivillas Stream, which converge at the southwest corner. Steep slopes on both sides enhance the defensive nature of the Alcazaba, reinforced by the natural ditches formed by the rivers. The Alcazaba was built in a strategic location to control the natural north-south and east-west passages.
As it stands today, it was built by the Umayyads in the 12th century, although its origins lie in the wall that was built when the city was founded in the 9th century. The Alcazaba of Badajoz was the residence of the monarchs of the Kingdom of Badajoz, or Taifa of Badajoz, during the 11th and 12th centuries.
The entire walled complex of the Alcazaba was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument by decree of June 3, 1931. The complex houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum in the Palace of the Dukes of La Roca, also declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1962. The former Military Hospital currently houses the Extremadura Library and the Faculty of Documentation and Communication Sciences, belonging to the University of Extremadura.
The entire walled complex of the Alcazaba was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument by decree of June 3, 1931. The complex houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum in the Palace of the Dukes of La Roca, also declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1962. The former Military Hospital currently houses the Extremadura Library and the Faculty of Documentation and Communication Sciences, belonging to the University of Extremadura.
Founding of the City and Origin
The city of Batalyaws, present-day Badajoz, was founded by Abd-al Rahman ibn Marwan in 875, during the reign of the Cordoban emir Muhammad I, on an earlier Visigoth settlement.
The Wall Sections
Alpéndiz Gate.
Many of these sections date from the Almohad period, although some sections are earlier. Likewise, two areas, the Brecha de las Aguas and the wall adjacent to El Metido, are more recent (18th and 19th centuries, respectively). Their construction is mostly of lime mortar, although masonry (especially at the base of some towers) and brick are also found. Since most of the Alcazaba was built or renovated by the Almohads, almost all the walls feature the characteristic ribbon decoration so characteristic of their architecture. The Almohads also used numerous pieces of Visigothic and Roman origin, either as reinforcement or as decoration. Remains of the original 9th-century mud wall have been found in several areas, such as El Metido.
As the Alcazaba has always been a defensive enclave in a city exposed to war for centuries, the walls have undergone various repairs and restorations throughout its history. Thus, we can find areas with different surface finishes, in addition to the aforementioned curbing. Finally, it is worth noting that the entire perimeter of the Alcazaba is covered with inscriptions and engravings, some of Arabic origin (from its builders) and others from repairs carried out in subsequent centuries.
Badajoz during the Islamic period was surrounded by a wall protecting the al-qasbah (ksar), the citadel, an administrative area and residence for the rulers (where the Alcázar and the Great Mosque were located).
The buildings inside are a good example of the different functions the site served in different periods: as an Islamic citadel (9th-13th centuries), a late medieval Christian castle (13th-16th centuries), and as part of the citadel and fortification of modern architecture (17th-19th centuries). The defensive nature of the citadel, combined with political and economic reasons, led to the deterioration of some sections of the walled citadel, until its complete restoration and rehabilitation.
The walls of the Alcazaba have survived to this day in virtually the same form as they were originally during the Almohad period. The area near El Metido (facing the Rivillas Stream) was rebuilt in the 19th century due to the heavy siege it suffered during the war.
The entire route of the Alcazaba wall can be explored along its ramparts or patrol walkway. The exception is the section between the Espantaperros Tower and the Countess's Game Tower, or the Alpéndiz Tower. The walk along the Alcazaba ramparts offers magnificent views of Badajoz and its surroundings.
The staircase to access the parapet wall located next to the Puerta de Carros is from the 17th century and has steps made with reused stone from the monument itself.
Between the Puerta de la Coracha and the Brecha de las Aguas, we find one of the two bridges that provide access to the parapet walk in that area, due to the unevenness. The second bridge is located a few meters higher, past the Torre de la Siete Ventanas. Both bridges are supported by semicircular brick arches, and both are Almohad works from the 12th century.
The barbican or outer wall is a defensive wall that was located in front of the walls.
Espantaperros Tower or Atalaya Tower (12th century). This is the most important watchtower in the Alcazaba, located in the southwest corner. It has an octagonal floor plan and three sections, dating from the Almohad period (12th century). Abarlongada Tower. Between the Espantaperros Tower and the Puerta del Capitel is a square-shaped keep with chamfered corners, giving the impression of a semicircular floor plan. Visigothic capitals, bases, and columns were found embedded in its walls.
Capital Gate Tower (9th-12th centuries). This tower guards the curved entrance to the Capital Gate. With a solid base, the upper part of the tower is hollow and contains a room accessible from the battlement, as well as a crenellated terrace.
Gallows Tower (9th-12th century). This square tower consists of two sections, one solid, attached to the wall, and the other hollow, with loopholes. Pendón Tower (9th-12th centuries). This tower is located in the northwest corner, where the Alcazaba wall meets the bastioned wall, close to the river.Tower of the Seven Windows (9th-12th century). A tower attached to the wall, with a massive, square floor plan. Countess's Tower or Alpéndiz Tower (11th century). This tower is part of the Alpéndiz Gate.Maiden's Tower.
Other watchtowers (11th century onwards). The Alcazaba also includes other watchtowers of lesser importance. Torre de la Vieja (9th-12th centuries). The Torre de la Vieja (Old City) was a watchtower, hollow inside, with a small door leading to a staircase that led into the Alcazaba through a door in the wall's barbican.
Tower of the Acevedos Palace (also known as the Episcopal Palace or the Bishopric). It is a stone and ashlar masonry tower with a quadrangular floor plan.
The citadel's fence is oval-shaped and measures approximately 400 meters from north to south and 200 meters from east to west. The exterior walls are north and east, while the south and west faced the walled city. The construction materials used were masonry, hard mortar rammed earth boxes, brick, especially for vaults and interior arches, and ashlar for the door walls and various reinforcement systems.
The Puerta del Capitel and its entrance portal (12th century). Along with the Puerta del Alpéndiz, it is one of the two fully preserved Almohad-era gates. Before the entrance to the Puerta del Capitel, there is a 16th-century gate.
Yelves Gate (11th-12th century, restored in the 20th century). It owes its name to the old Portuguese city of Elvas, toward which it faces. It is located opposite the Convent of the Adoratrices in the Plaza de San José, on the western side of the Alcazaba.
The Alcazaba houses an extensive park with abundant vegetation and open spaces. The area has recently been renovated, as part of the first phase of a comprehensive rehabilitation project funded by, among others, the Ministry of Housing.
The alpendiz (9th century or later) is a wall that, starting from the Alpéndiz Gate, descends obliquely toward the Rivillas Stream. This wall was intended to protect the dwellings located in this area from possible attacks, as well as allowing safe access to the aforementioned gate.
Pajaritos Hermitage.
Outside the citadel, a modest construction of small size and simple architecture, but with significant connotations for the city. The building is constructed as a square shrine, with a hipped Arabic tile roof, and a severely designed doorway on four steps, lacking any formal decorative elements. Possibly of Muslim origin, its presence was respected by the successive renovations of the fortified systems in that area.
Watchtowers:
During the Islamic period, Badajoz was equipped with watchtowers or watchtowers located on the hills near the city's surrounding land. The purpose of these watchtowers was to monitor the roads in case of danger.
Los Rostros Watchtower
Built in the 12th century, it is the best-preserved Muslim-era watchtower in the city of Badajoz. With an orthogonal layout and a height of 12 meters (like the Espantaperros Tower), it was responsible for guarding the road to Mérida.
Watchtower on the Yelbes Road
In the area where the old Yelbes road used to run, we found some remains of this watchtower. The tower is square, 3x3 meters, built of rammed earth, with walls 85 centimeters thick and over 1.2 meters high. The exact height of this tower is unknown.
La Quebrada or Torrequebrada Watchtower
It is located as part of a house in the Torrequebrada farmhouse, in the La Atalaya residential area. It is square, measuring 2.5 meters on each side and 6 meters high, and built of adobe. It was built during the Almohad period and maintained its function of communication and road control until the Peninsular War (19th century), like the other watchtowers.
Atalaya de los Frailes or Tres Arroyos
Atalaya de los Frailes or Tres Arroyos, also known as Atalaya de los Monjes, is a 10-meter-high, quadrangular masonry tower located in the Tres Arroyos area. The tower's structure follows the same guidelines as the other watchtowers".
(
visit link)