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Caceres was inhabited since pre-historic times and evidence of this can be found in the Maltravieso Cave, which displays hand imprints, and El Conejar Cave. The Roman town, known as Norba Ceaserina was founded in 25BC, by veterans coming from nearby camps. As the empire declined the town was occupied by the Visigoths and slowly depopulated, only recovering its former glory a few centuries later, during the Muslim rule. Most of the remains from this period date from the 12th century, during the Almohad period, marked by political unrest and the threat posed by the Christian forces. The city was reconquered by Alfonso IX in 1229. During this period many noble families began building their manor houses resulting in the characteristic Caceres architecture that can be seen today: austere buildings with a defensive purpose. Caceres also benefited from the riches arriving from the Americas a few centuries later. It was during this period that the city overflew its wall...

The church of San Francisco Javier was built in the 18th century, in the Baroque style, by the Jesuits. However, they were in charge of the church for just 14 years, in 1767 the Society of Jesus was suppressed in the Spanish Empire. In 1899 the church was transferred to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood which is why the church is also known as Church of the Precious Blood. Climbing up the tower there's a magnificent view of Caceres and its surroundings. The church has been the set of several motion pictures, including "1492: Conquest of Paradise", starring Gerard Depardieu, Armand Assante and Sigourney Weaver. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Entrance fee: €1 (to access the tower and the exhibition) Back to Caceres

This Palace isn't very interesting as a museum but if you're visiting Cáceres don't miss out on the interesting Gothic and Renaissance architecture of the building. It currently houses the Cáceres Department of Tourism and only a few areas can be visited, namely the patio and the gardens.  It was built between the late 15th century and the early 16th century. The round tower is from an earlier period as it was probably built in the 12th century, during the Islamic period. The palace was restored in the 19th century after a fire and for this reason is also known as "Casa Quemada", the burnt house. Opening hours: 8 a.m. to 9.15 p.m.; Sat.:10 a.m. to 2 p.m.// 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sun.: 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrance free Back to Caceres

The Cathedral of Santa Maria in Caceres is a late gothic building, originally erected in the 13th century. The renovations carried out in the 15th and 16th centuries gave it its gothic features almost eliminating the original Romanesque ones. The tower was added later, in the mid 16th century, and was built in the Renaissance style. The Cathedral includes a museum with religious art and some liturgical items. Opening hours: 10 am to 2 pm// 5 pm to 8 pm (6 pm to 9 pm mid-May to Sep.) Entrance fee:  €1 Back to Caceres

The Aljibe is part of the Museum of Caceres and is one of the most important remnants of Islamic times. It is a water cistern belonging to the 10th century Muslim Alcazaba on top of which the Palaces that house the Museum were built (Palacio de las Veletas and Casa de los Caballos). It was partially excavated on the rock and some of its columns date back to the Roman period. It is possible that it was initially used as a Mosque but from the 12th century on it was definitely used as a water reservoir. Back to the Caceres Museum

The Caceres Museum is housed in Casa de las Veletas and Casa de Los Caballos, two of the buildings classified as Human Heritage by UNESCO and erected in the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively. The Casa de las Veletas houses the archaeological and ethnographic collections, which were opened to the public in 1933. The archaeological collection spans from the Lower Paleolithic to the beginning of the Middle Ages. The Fine Arts collection was inaugurated in 1992 and is housed in the Casa de los Caballos. Opening hours: 9 am to 3 pm// 4 pm to 7.30 pm (5 pm to 8.30 pm mid-April to Sep., 10 am to 3 pm on Sundays) Entrance fee: €1.20 The Aljibe Back to Caceres