 30,000 years ago human hands painted on the walls of the Maltravieso caves not far outside the area now known as Cáceres. The city’s history of settlement and growth is one that is woven into the fabric of the Iberian Peninsula.
 Evidence of the first settlers dates from the Upper Palaeolithic, some 30,000 years ago. The spectacular Maltravieso caves which, although closed to the public to protect the delicate and priceless paintings of animals and prehistoric weapons, can still be seen via a faithful reproduction which has been built next to the original location.
Centuries later, the Celtiberians left their traces in the form of emplaced stones and rudimentary utensils. Romans were the first to establish a remote outpost in the area of the city. In the year 25 A.D. the roman colony of Norbensis Caesarina was founded by one Caius Norbanus Flaccus and parts of the city’s defensive walls date from this period.
With the decline of empire the Visigoths took over the vacuum left behind although, feuding between the Visigothic aristocracy created favourable conditions for the occupation of the peninsula by an unstoppable wave of Arabic forces.
Several impressive constructions date from the centuries of Arabic domination including the Torre de la Yerba, which is built as part of the city wall. It as reconstructed on the base of the original roman wall in the 12th century.
During the 12th century battles between the Moors and the Christians became more frequent, with the city changing hands on several occasions. It was, however, on the 23rd April 1229 (St. George’s day) that Alfonso IX definitively captured the city. To this day St George is still the patron saint of the city.
 The reconquest of Cáceres acted as a trigger for the construction of many fine ancestral buildings that can still be seen in their original splendour and that are centred around two of the city’s main hotspots, the Plaza de Santa Maria and the Plaza de San Mateo.
During the war of succession of Isabel to the crown of Castille in the mid 15th century, those families who failed to support her cause were humiliated by the “amputation” of the protective castellation around their towers.
The Plaza Mayor, used since the 13th century as a fairground and marketplace, is the focal point of the town. Attractively restored, it still boasts covered walkways dating from the 16th century. It is bounded to the east by the walls of the old city built by the Almohades in the 12th century.
The changing times are written in bold letters across the face of the modern city of Cáceres. New office blocks and residential dwellings jostle for space against the walls of the old town.
However, this does nothing to detract from the city’s charm and appeal.
Not only is there a rich historical tradition reaching back into the roots of recorded history; preserved and commemorated by the many buildings and monuments and revived periodically during a string of colourful festivals, there is also a lively tradition of welcome and ample opportunity to savour all the regional specialities that the city’s restaurants proudly offer.
More information: www.turismocaceres.com
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Last Updated ( viernes, 07 marzo 2008 )
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