For its part, Badajoz (pop. 666,000), capital of the eponymous province, came into its own as a city in the 9th century under the Moors who then controlled much of Iberia, and this lends its own distinctive character, as with Mérida's classical heritage. One of the most distinctive and popular landmarks here is the Alcazaba, a Moorish citadel which now houses the Provincial Archaeological Museum and the city cathedral, adapted from a mosque. Also not to miss are the singular colours and shapes of the Plaza Alta, as well as the La Giraldilla building, built in 1935 to mimic the famous Giralda tower of Seville's cathedral.

Read more in our post Spain´s Wonderful (and Sometimes Wild) West: Extremadura.

Stephen Colebourn