World Heritage Photos

Old Town of Cáceres: The area of Cáceres has been inhabited since prehistoric times, evidence of this can be found in the Maltravieso Caves. Cáceres is situated along the Silver Route, the Ruta de la Plata, an ancient Roman road that runs from Mérida in the south to Astorga in the north. Cáceres was founded by the Romans in 25 BC. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Cáceres fell under the control of the Visigoths. The town of Cáceres was conquered by the Almohads in the 8th century. They built a town wall and several towers, among them the 12th century Bujaco Tower, the most famous tower of Cáceres. Cáceres was reconquered by King Alfonso IX de León in the 13th century. During this period,  Cáceres had a Jewish quarter, the remains of the Jewish presence can still be seen today. Palaces and stately houses were built in the 16th century. The historic town of Cáceres still has its ancient walls. The Arco de la Estrella is the main entrance to the historic town of Cáceres. Cáceres is located about 75 km north of the UNESCO World Heritage in Mérida. Cáceres is located in Central West Spain, near the border of Portugal. The Old Town of Cáceres was declared a UNESCO World Heritage in 1986.

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   The Arco de la Estrella, the Arch of the Star, is a town gate of the Old Town of Cáceres. It is the last gate built in the wall and the most important gate of Cáceres. Inside the gate is a niche with the statue of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella, the Virgin of the Star. In the 15th century Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon entered Cáceres through this gate. The gate was used as a film location for the Game of Thrones. The Old Town of Cáceres is a UNESCO World Heritage.

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   Old Town of Cáceres: The rear side of the Arco de la Estrella, the Arch of the Star. A small niche contains a statue of the of Nuestra Señora de la Estrella, the Virgin of the Star. The gate recieves its name from this statuette. The town gate was built in the 18th century on the site of an older gate. The gate is flanked by the Los Púlpitos Tower, a 16 metres high Gothic tower that was built in the 15th century and looks like a defensive tower.

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   Old Town of Cáceres: The Las Veletas Palace, also the Palace of the Weathervanes. In the 16th century, the Las Veletas Palace was built in the Renaissance style, the roofline balustrades are adorned with small ceramic pinnacles and gargoyles. The courtyard is surrounded by a series of arches, supported by granite columns. Today, the palace is a museum. The Old Town of Cáceres gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1986.

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   Old Town of Cáceres: The 12th century cistern is a remain of the Almohade citadel. This cistern is one of the largest of its time, the underground cistern was carved out of the rock and used to store rainwater. The cistern lies beneath the Las Veletas Palace. The Las Veletas Palace houses now the Provincial Archaeological Museum of Cáceres, the museum also houses a collection of folk craft typical of Cáceres.

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   Old Town of Cáceres: The Convento de San Pablo, the St. Pau'ls Convent, is situated in the Plaza the San Mateo. The convent was built over the remains of a hermitage in the 15th century. The St. Pau'ls Convent has a Gothic arched portal, the bell-gable was built in the 17th century. There are still nuns living in St. Pau'ls Convent. The convent is well-known for its delicious sweets made by the nuns.

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   Old town of Cáceres: The 18th century San Francisco Javier Church towers high above Cáceres, the church has a Baroque façade. The Jesuit church is situated on the Plaza San Jorge, the St. George's Square. St. George is the patron saint of the town of Cáceres since 1992. A small niche in the wall in front of the church contains a bronze statue of St. George and the Dragon. The San Francisco Javier Church is reachable by a stairway.

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   Old Town of Cáceres: The decorated dome of the San Francisco Javier Church. The Jesuit church has a single nave and several small side chapels. The main altarpiece has been placed between four gold plated Corinthian columns, the painting depicts the Miracle of Saint Francis Xavier and the Crab. The church has a ground plan in the form of a Latin cross, the shape of most western cathedrals and large churches. The church is also known as the Church of the Precious Blood.

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   Old Town of Cáceres: The Bujaco Tower is the most important tower of the town and one of the symbols of the Old Town of Cáceres. The Almohads built a city wall and several towers, including the 12th century Bujaco Tower, the most famous tower of Cáceres. The tower is 25 metres high. A Renaissance balcony was added in the 16th century, known as the Balcón de los Fueros, the Balcony of the laws. Old Town of Cáceres was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.