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Historic neighborhood · Cáceres, Extremadura
Ciudad Monumental de Cáceres
Old town surrounded by the Almohad wall, with towers, noble palaces with coats of arms, churches and stone streets from the 15th and 16th centuries. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Ciudad Monumental de Cáceres
The Ciudad Monumental of Cáceres is the upper, walled part of the city, covering about 9 hectares. The current wall is Almohad, from the 12th century, built on a Roman layout, with rammed-earth and stone towers. The city was conquered by the Christians in 1229, and from the 15th century noble families filled the enclosure with fortified houses.
Each family had its tower, a symbol of power. In 1477 Queen Isabel ordered the tops of several towers to be cut off to stop the fights among the nobles; only the Torre de las Cigüeñas, of the Cáceres-Ovando palace, remained intact because its owner was loyal to the queen.
The stone streets, narrow and steep, pass between palaces with coats of arms on their façades, such as those of los Golfines de Abajo, Carvajal, los Toledo-Moctezuma and las Veletas, and lead to squares like Santa María, San Jorge and San Mateo. Because it was not modernized, the old city is used as a setting for films and series.
The Ciudad Monumental was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
2 to 4 hours, including interior visits.
Best time
In the morning for palaces and museums; at night, after dinner, to see the illuminated towers and the almost empty streets. In summer, avoid the middle of the day.
How to get there
You go up from the Plaza Mayor via the Arco de la Estrella or the steps beside the Torre de Bujaco. The train station is 3 km away, with a city bus to the Plaza Mayor.
Tip
Pick up a map at the tourist office on the Plaza Mayor and walk through the squares of Santa María, San Jorge and San Mateo. Wear shoes with firm soles: the stones are smooth and the slopes steep.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Ciudad Monumental de Cáceres
Why are so many towers in Cáceres cut down?
In 1477 Queen Isabella ordered the nobles' towers to be cut down to end disputes between families. Only the Torre de las Cigüeñas remained intact.
Since when has Cáceres been a World Heritage Site?
The Ciudad Monumental was inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1986.
Do cars enter the old city?
Access is restricted to residents and authorized guests. Visitors leave their car below the wall.