Ruta de la Plata

The origins of Cáceres as an urban nucleus go back to the year 25 B.C., with the founding of the colony of Norba Caesarina. The city conserves from this period one of the gates of the walls surrounding the historical quarter, known as the Arco de Cristo or Christs Archway (1st century).

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city suffered a series of barbarian invasions that almost completely destroyed its walls. Its strategic position led to Christians and Moors disputing its possession. In 1169, Cáceres was reconquered by Fernando II. The Arab general Abú Yaqub retook the city from the Christians in 1173 and the walls were rebuilt over the Roman foundations. A magnificent aljibe (cistern) is also conserved from this period inside the Palacio de las Veletas (Palace of the Weather Vanes).

King Alfonso IX definitively incorporated the city into the Kingdom of León on April 23rd 1229. From this date onwards, new palaces and mansions began to be built around two focal points: the Plaza de Santa María and the Plaza de San Mateo, thus giving birth to the monumental ensemble of Cáceres. Subsequently, many of the inhabitants of Cáceres sailed off on the American Adventure and with the fortunes brought back from the New World built or remodelled grand palaces such as that of Godoy or that of Toledo-Moctezuma.

In 1791, Cáceres was named a seat of the Real Audiencia (Royal Audience Chamber) and in 1822, the capital of Extremadura. Nowadays, it is a service-sector city, with an important university population and a great future in tourism.