Badajoz Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portugal, Portuguese Portugal–Spain border, border, on the left bank of the river ...

military A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. Militaries are typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with their members identifiable by a d ...

fortification A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

defensive wall A defensive wall is a fortification usually used to protect a city, town or other settlement from potential aggressors. The walls can range from simple palisades or earthworks to extensive military fortifications such as curtain walls with t ...

city gates A city gate is a gate which is, or was, set within a city wall. It is a type of fortified gateway. Uses City gates were traditionally built to provide a point of controlled access to and departure from a walled city for people, vehicles, goods ...

bastion A bastion is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners of the fort. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks, with fire from the ...

hornwork A hornwork is an element of the Italian bastion system of fortification. Its face is flanked with a pair of half-bastions. It is distinguished from a crownwork, because crownworks contain full bastions at their centers. They are both outwork ...

ravelin A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress (the curtain walls and bastions). Originally called a ''demi-lune'', after the ''lunette'', the ravelin is placed outside a castle a ...

Marquis de Vauban A marquess (; ) is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German-language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman with the rank of a marquess or the wife (or wid ...

Portugal–Spain border The Portugal–Spain border, also referred to as "The Stripe", is one of the oldest geopolitical borders in the world. The current demarcation is almost identical to that defined in 1297 by the Treaty of Alcañices. The Portugal–Spain border i ...

Ibn Marwan ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Marwān al-Jillīqī (, died ''),'' also known as simply al-Jillīqī (), was a Muwallad whose family had come from what is now northern Portugal and settled near Mérida. In 868, leading a host of Muwallads and Mozarabs ...

Andalusia Andalusia ( , ; , ) is the southernmost autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Peninsular Spain, located in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, in southwestern Europe. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomou ...

Lisbon Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

Ibn Marwan ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Marwān al-Jillīqī (, died ''),'' also known as simply al-Jillīqī (), was a Muwallad whose family had come from what is now northern Portugal and settled near Mérida. In 868, leading a host of Muwallads and Mozarabs ...

mortar Mortar may refer to: * Mortar (weapon), an indirect-fire infantry weapon * Mortar (masonry), a material used to fill the gaps between blocks and bind them together * Mortar and pestle, a tool pair used to crush or grind * Mortar, Bihar, a village i ...

Abdallah ibn Al-Aftas Abd Allah ibn Muhammad ibn Maslama () (c. ? – c. 1045), surnamed Ibn al-Aftas, was the founder of the Aftasid dynasty of the taifa of Badajoz, in what was then Al-Andalus. He was a miknasa berber from the Córdoba region. Ibn al-Aftas beca ...

Aftasid The Aftasid dynasty (Arabic: بنو الأفطس ''Banu al-Aftas'') was an Arabized Iberian-Berber dynasty that ruled the Taifa of Badajoz in Al-Andalus. History When the Caliphate of Cordoba broke up into the Taifa kingdoms, the Berber mercenar ...

Taifa of Badajoz The Taifa of Badajoz (from ) was a medieval Islamic Moorish kingdom located in what is now parts of Portugal and Spain. It was centred on the city of Badajoz which exists today as the first city of Extremadura, in Spain.Alcazaba was built, closely resembling the present structure, with some elements dating back to the

Almohad The Almohad Caliphate (; or or from ) or Almohad Empire was a North African Berber Muslim empire founded in the 12th century. At its height, it controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus) and North Africa (the Maghreb). The Almohad ...

period. The final Muslim restoration was commissioned by Abu Yahya ibn Abi Sinan at the beginning of the 13th century. After the conflicts between Castile and Portugal in the 14th century, relations between the two regions were normalized, leading to a period of peace that lasted nearly two and a half centuries. However, in 1640, when Portugal gained independence from the

Spanish Monarchy The monarchy of Spain or Spanish monarchy () is the constitutional form of government of Spain. It consists of a hereditary monarch who reigns as the head of state, being the highest office of the country. The Spanish monarchy is constitu ...

, Badajoz became a border city. Due to its strategic importance, the Castilian authorities recognized the need to enhance its defenses. Consequently, both the Crown and the authorities of Badajoz decided to undertake significant fortification works. Despite the various options proposed by military engineers, the decision was made to implement the Vauban system. The fortification efforts were marked by improvisation amid economic difficulties, and the reforms and improvements were made incrementally to the existing defenses.

Background

The city of Badajoz, specifically the oldest area, located in the highest part of the promontory called Cerro de la Muela, was protected by an enclosure built during the Islamic period, with its fortress known as the Alcazaba. During Islamic times, Badajoz was encircled by a defensive wall that safeguarded the ''al-qasbah'' (''

ksar Ksar or qṣar (), in plural ksour or qsour (), is a type of fortified village in North Africa, usually found in the regions predominantly or traditionally inhabited by Berbers (Amazigh). The equivalent Berber languages, Berber term used is ' ( ...

)'', the

citadel A citadel is the most fortified area of a town or city. It may be a castle, fortress, or fortified center. The term is a diminutive of ''city'', meaning "little city", because it is a smaller part of the city of which it is the defensive core. ...

, which served as the administrative center and residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Badajoz—one of the largest

taifa The taifas (from ''ṭā'ifa'', plural ''ṭawā'if'', meaning "party, band, faction") were the independent Muslim principalities and kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal and Spain), referred to by Muslims as al-Andalus, that em ...

s of the

Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula ( ), also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in south-western Europe. Mostly separated from the rest of the European landmass by the Pyrenees, it includes the territories of peninsular Spain and Continental Portugal, comprisin ...

. This area housed the

Alcázar An ''alcázar'', from Arabic ''al-Qasr'', is a type of Islamic castle or palace in Spain built during Al-Andalus, Muslim rule between the 8th and 15th centuries. They functioned as homes and regional capitals for governmental figures throughout ...

, the mosque, and one of the era's largest libraries. The defensive wall underwent several extensions over time. The buildings within the enclosure reflect its varied functions across different periods: as an Islamic

citadel A citadel is the most fortified area of a town or city. It may be a castle, fortress, or fortified center. The term is a diminutive of ''city'', meaning "little city", because it is a smaller part of the city of which it is the defensive core. ...

with various extensions in the 9th–13th centuries until it resembled the so-called ''Cerca Vieja'' (Old Wall); as a Christian late medieval castle featuring the first

Badajoz Cathedral The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist () is a Catholic cathedral in Badajoz, Extremadura, western Spain. Since 1994, together with the Co-cathedral of Saint Mary Major of Mérida, it is the seat of the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badaj ...

, built on the site of the former mosque and various "fortified houses" for defense (13th–16th centuries); and as part of the modern fortifications (17th–19th centuries), which included different religious buildings,

secret passage Secret passages, also commonly referred to as hidden passages or secret tunnels, are hidden routes used for stealthy travel, escape, or movement of people and goods. They are sometimes inside buildings leading to secret rooms. Others allow pe ...

, and

cistern A cistern (; , ; ) is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often built to catch and store rainwater. To prevent leakage, the interior of the cistern is often lined with hydraulic plaster. Cisterns are disti ...

s reused over time. The city of Badajoz continued to expand beyond its original walls, particularly to the west and south, where the terrain was flatter. This expansion was encircled by a medieval wall of

rammed earth Rammed earth is a technique for construction, constructing foundations, floors, and walls using compacted natural raw materials such as soil, earth, chalk, Lime (material), lime, or gravel. It is an ancient method that has been revived recently ...

, likely of

Almohad The Almohad Caliphate (; or or from ) or Almohad Empire was a North African Berber Muslim empire founded in the 12th century. At its height, it controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus) and North Africa (the Maghreb). The Almohad ...

origin, with subsequent extensions. By the end of the 15th century, a late medieval pentagonal wall, contemporary with the

Catholic Monarchs The Catholic Monarchs were Isabella I of Castile, Queen Isabella I of Crown of Castile, Castile () and Ferdinand II of Aragon, King Ferdinand II of Crown of Aragón, Aragon (), whose marriage and joint rule marked the ''de facto'' unification of ...

, was constructed. This wall connected with the Palmas Gate near the Palmas Bridge and the Pajaritos Gate, both dating from the 16th century. Inside these walls were the neighborhoods forming the

historic district A historic district or heritage district is a section of a city which contains historic building, older buildings considered valuable for historical or architectural reasons. In some countries or jurisdictions, historic districts receive legal p ...

. However, these defenses proved insufficient against the advancing artillery technology of the following century. In 1642, during the conflict with Portugal, a series of isolated and improvised defensive structures were initiated, starting with the fort of San Cristobal. Located on the right bank of the

Guadiana River The Guadiana River ( , , , ) is an international river defining a long stretch of the Portugal-Spain border, separating Extremadura and Andalusia (Spain) from Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal). The river's basin extends from la Mancha and the ea ...

, north of the city, on a significant promontory known as Orinaza Hill, this fort was considered the first of its kind for defensive fortifications. It protected the bridgehead, a crucial strategic element, as the bridge served as the main entrance to Badajoz. Defensive measures were taken to protect the bridge, including the demolition of several arches, the replacement with a drawbridge of three spans, and the construction of

parapet A parapet is a barrier that is an upward extension of a wall at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, walkway or other structure. The word comes ultimately from the Italian ''parapetto'' (''parare'' 'to cover/defend' and ''petto'' 'chest/brea ...

s for the garrison's defense. Soon after, the Pardaleras Fort was constructed at the southern end of the city. Additional defensive elements, such as moats and walls, were added in a somewhat haphazard manner, which reduced their effectiveness. Inadequate materials and the lack of order in these constructions led to significant losses of land and buildings. At the end of the 17th century, between 1690 and 1700, work began on a bastioned fortification. This new defensive wall extended from the medieval wall along the left bank of the Guadiana River to the bastions of San Vicente and Palmas Gate. It then turned west and south, passing through the bastions of San José, Santiago, Santa María, and Trinidad Gate, before reconnecting with the defensive wall protecting the Alcazaba. According to existing military cartography, the

watchtower A watchtower or guardtower (also spelt watch tower, guard tower) is a type of military/paramilitary or policiary tower used for guarding an area. Sometimes fortified, and armed with heavy weaponry, especially historically, the structures are ...

s from the Islamic period remained in use until the

Peninsular War The Peninsular War (1808–1814) was fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Kingdom of Portugal, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom against the invading and occupying forces of the First French ...

. Of the numerous watchtowers Badajoz once had, primarily from the 12th century, only remnants of five are preserved, including the Espantaperros Tower and the Tower of Los Rostros.

History

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

and Castile engaged in a series of confrontations during the 14th century. In 1580, Philip II relocated the Court and the majority of his army to

Badajoz Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portugal, Portuguese Portugal–Spain border, border, on the left bank of the river ...

, where he resided for eleven months, effectively annexing Portugal into the

Hispanic Monarchy Hispanic Monarchy and Spanish Monarchy may refer to: *the 1479-1716 period of the Spanish Empire ( Hispanic Monarchy (Political entity)) that is divided in: **Habsburg Spain **Iberian Union *the Monarchy of Spain The monarchy of Spain or S ...

. Tensions concerning Badajoz resurfaced in 1640 due to its proximity to the border, as a result of the Portuguese uprising against the

Crown of Castile The Crown of Castile was a medieval polity in the Iberian Peninsula that formed in 1230 as a result of the third and definitive union of the crowns and, some decades later, the parliaments of the kingdoms of Kingdom of Castile, Castile and Kingd ...

. Construction of the bastioned enclosure began in the 17th century, replacing a previous defensive system. This development was necessitated by the need to defend the city, seat of the General Captaincy of the Royal Army of Extremadura, amidst the hostilities that led to the

Portuguese Restoration War The Restoration War (), historically known as the Acclamation War (''Guerra da Aclamação''), was the war between Portugal and Spain that began with the Portuguese revolution of 1640 and ended with the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, bringing a forma ...

, a conflict which aimed to secure Portugal's independence from Spain. Consequently, Badajoz solidified its role as the capital of the Province of Extremadura and became a significant strategic location for both Spanish and Portuguese interests. The war persisted from 1640 to 1668 when the

Treaty of Lisbon The Treaty of Lisbon (initially known as the Reform Treaty) is a European agreement that amends the two treaties which form the constitutional basis of the European Union (EU). The Treaty of Lisbon, which was signed by all EU member states o ...

recognized Portugal's full independence from Spain. Due to its frontier location, the

Badajoz Cathedral The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist () is a Catholic cathedral in Badajoz, Extremadura, western Spain. Since 1994, together with the Co-cathedral of Saint Mary Major of Mérida, it is the seat of the Archdiocese of Mérida-Badaj ...

—constructed between the 13th and 18th centuries—resembles a fortress, featuring strong walls, battlements, and a prominent bell tower. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest, it stands out as a unique structure from its era. The Diocese and Bishopric of Badajoz date back to the 10th century, and the cathedral currently holds the rank of Metropolitan Cathedral. It houses Islamic pottery from the 10th century and the Metropolitan Museum of the Cathedral. Nearby is the

historical archive History is the systematic study of the past, focusing primarily on the human past. As an academic discipline, it analyses and interprets evidence to construct narratives about what happened and explain why it happened. Some theorists categ ...

. The geographical features of Badajoz's terrain have historically marked it as a site of military and strategic importance. This significance made it a key point in the Spanish defensive system, especially given Portugal's strong defensive system of Elvas. Badajoz thus became a major stronghold on the border with Portugal. Its location, nearly at the same latitude as Lisbon and approximately equidistant from Madrid and Lisbon, though somewhat farther from Madrid, further accentuated its strategic value. Badajoz 16xx

The onset of defenses

The bastioned enclosure was constructed on the foundations of the old medieval walled enclosure, which dated from the 9th to the 15th centuries and remained in existence until the 17th century. Some sections of the medieval wall were preserved, such as those near the bastion of La Trinidad and the bastion of Santiago. After nearly two and a half centuries of neglect, the old medieval wall, which extended from the current citadel, had deteriorated and become outdated due to the advancements in artillery technology used by the Portuguese army. In 1643, the Count of Santiesteban wrote to Secretary Pedro Coloma regarding the defensive structures at Badajoz, pointing out that, at that time,

Extremadura Extremadura ( ; ; ; ; Fala language, Fala: ''Extremaúra'') is a landlocked autonomous communities in Spain, autonomous community of Spain. Its capital city is Mérida, Spain, Mérida, and its largest city is Badajoz. Located in the central- ...

lacked secure defenses, provisions, artillery, and other weapons. Badajoz appeared to have the minimum defensive conditions necessary, but the existing walled enclosure was deemed ineffective. The only part of the fortifications that might have had adequate defensive capabilities was the upper section occupied by the Alcazaba. Consequently, it was recommended that new defensive works be initiated in that area. On the other hand, the Marquis of Torralbo wrote to the king in the following terms: He concluded by saying that it was within the reach of artillery, for which the

rammed earth Rammed earth is a technique for construction, constructing foundations, floors, and walls using compacted natural raw materials such as soil, earth, chalk, Lime (material), lime, or gravel. It is an ancient method that has been revived recently ...

walls were ineffective: Gradually, the old defensive wall was replaced by a new fortification that began at the Muslim citadel, followed the left bank of the

Guadiana River The Guadiana River ( , , , ) is an international river defining a long stretch of the Portugal-Spain border, separating Extremadura and Andalusia (Spain) from Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal). The river's basin extends from la Mancha and the ea ...

, and then turned west and south, where the bastions of San Vicente and Palma Gate were constructed. The construction continued westward, southward, and eastward, with the bastions of San José, Santiago, San Roque, Santa María, and Trinidad being added in succession. This new defensive system eventually connected to the old Alcazaba in the northeast via the bastion of San Pedro. The newly built defensive elements were adapted to contemporary military engineering trends. The walls were made lower and wider to withstand cannon fire, and large

bastion A bastion is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners of the fort. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks, with fire from the ...

s were introduced. The curtain walls were

buttress A buttress is an architectural structure built against or projecting from a wall which serves to support or reinforce the wall. Buttresses are fairly common on more ancient (typically Gothic) buildings, as a means of providing support to act ...

ed rather than vertical to deflect cannonballs upward. Additionally, half bastions were placed to guard the access gates,

bartizan A bartizan (an alteration of ''bratticing''), also called a guerite, ''garita'', or ''échauguette'', or spelled bartisan, is an overhanging turret projecting from the walls of late-medieval and early-modern fortifications from the early 14th c ...

s were added at the vertices where two curtain walls met, and features such as moats,

lunette A lunette (French ''lunette'', 'little moon') is a crescent- or half-moon–shaped or semi-circular architectural space or feature, variously filled with sculpture, painted, glazed, filled with recessed masonry, or void. A lunette may also be ...

s, and

ravelin A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress (the curtain walls and bastions). Originally called a ''demi-lune'', after the ''lunette'', the ravelin is placed outside a castle a ...

s were included to hinder enemy actions. Despite the robust nature of these defenses, the walls were also adorned with a semicircular stone facade, with its curved part facing outward. The defensive system followed the design principles established by the French military engineer, the

Marquis de Vauban A marquess (; ) is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German-language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman with the rank of a marquess or the wife (or wid ...

. File:BA.R.A-Plano de Badajoz en 1679, por Francisco Domingo.jpg, Plan of Badajoz in 1679, by Francisco Domingo File:Mapa del asedio de Badajoz de 1658.jpg, ''Map of the siege of Badajoz in 1658'', by João Nunes Tinoco File:Mapa de Badajoz por G. Baillieu.jpg, View of Badajoz in an engraving by G. Baillieu (17th century)

Elements

The bastioned enclosure is composed of several defensive buildings such as the curtain wall of the defensive walls, the gates, designed to allow and control the entry and exit of the inhabitants, the

bastion A bastion is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners of the fort. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks, with fire from the ...

s consisting of pentagonal constructions, which join two consecutive lines of defensive wall on the inner side of the pentagon, the forts located on the outside of the defensive walls and that were the first line of defense of the population and the

ravelin A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress (the curtain walls and bastions). Originally called a ''demi-lune'', after the ''lunette'', the ravelin is placed outside a castle a ...

s that are triangular

fortification A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

s located in front of the body of the main fortification –generally on the other side of a

moat A moat is a deep, broad ditch dug around a castle, fortification, building, or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. Moats can be dry or filled with water. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water d ...

– whose objective is to divide an attacking force and to protect the curtain wall of the defensive walls using crossfire. There are also other defensive elements such as moats,

foothills Foothills or piedmont are geography, geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range, higher hill range or an highland, upland area. They are a transition zone between plains and low terrain, relief hill ...

,

drawbridge A drawbridge or draw-bridge is a type of moveable bridge typically at the entrance to a castle or tower surrounded by a moat. In some forms of English, including American English, the word ''drawbridge'' commonly refers to all types of moveable b ...

s,

escarpments An escarpment is a steep slope or long cliff that forms as a result of faulting or erosion and separates two relatively level areas having different elevations. Due to the similarity, the term '' scarp'' may mistakenly be incorrectly used inte ...

, and various smaller buildings either attached to or independent from the main enclosure.

Bastions

A bastion or bulwark is a fortified redoubt that projects outward from the main body of a

fortress A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from L ...

, generally located at the corners of the curtain walls, as a strong point of defense against the enemy. It may have openings in its walls such as

arrowslit An arrowslit (often also referred to as an arrow loop, loophole or loop hole, and sometimes a balistraria) is a narrow vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows or a crossbowman can launch Crossbow bolt, bolts ...

s,

embrasure An embrasure (or crenel or crenelle; sometimes called gunhole in the domain of Age of Gunpowder, gunpowder-era architecture) is the opening in a battlement between two raised solid portions (merlons). Alternatively, an embrasure can be a sp ...

s, etc. Bastioned fortresses usually have a

polygon In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure made up of line segments connected to form a closed polygonal chain. The segments of a closed polygonal chain are called its '' edges'' or ''sides''. The points where two edges meet are the polygon ...

al plan and low height to offer the smallest possible impact surface to the cannon projectiles and are slightly inclined so tha they do not impact frontally and bounce upwards. They usually have a moat in front and also

foothills Foothills or piedmont are geography, geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range, higher hill range or an highland, upland area. They are a transition zone between plains and low terrain, relief hill ...

to increase their defensive power. There are different names to define each of the bastions according to the type and form of construction, such as "pincer bastion", "cut bastion", "orillon bastion", "prominent bastion", "double bastion", "irregular bastion", "full bastion", "regular bastion", "simple bastion", "empty bastion", etc.

Semi-bastion of San Antonio

Number 1 on the Plan of Bastions. This semi-bastion joined the primitive alcazaba by its

eastern Eastern or Easterns may refer to: Transportation Airlines *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai * Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 192 ...

zone with the rest of the bastioned enclosure. For its construction, the old Alpendiz Gate was closed. To fill it with earth and stones on the inside so that it could withstand the impacts of modern artillery, the materials of the ''Torre Vieja'' (Old Tower) were used, so it was left bareheaded. It was a

tower A tower is a tall Nonbuilding structure, structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distinguished from guyed mast, masts by their lack of guy-wires and are therefore, along with tall buildings, self-supporting ...

that was part of a fortified enclosure with which it was communicated, although generally exempt from the

defensive wall A defensive wall is a fortification usually used to protect a city, town or other settlement from potential aggressors. The walls can range from simple palisades or earthworks to extensive military fortifications such as curtain walls with t ...

. The remnants of the ''Torre Vieja'' were concealed by this enclosure and remained hidden within the bastion. A small door was opened to replace the Alpendiz Gate, serving as a gateway. It was built in the neighborhood of San Salvador and nowadays it is next to a modern park. When the ''Torre Vieja'' was removed, it was buried, but in excavations carried out at the end of the 20th century, a large part of it was discovered.

Bastion of San Pedro

Number 2 in the Plan of Bastions. It is located next to the "Semi-bastion of San Antonio" and before the one of Trinidad, in the eastern zone of the bastioned enclosure, in front of the Rivillas River. Between these two bastions is the Merida Gate. Its construction dates from the last decades of the 17th century, the same period as that of the bastion of Trinidad, making both the oldest bastions in the enclosure. It had a series of

bartizan A bartizan (an alteration of ''bratticing''), also called a guerite, ''garita'', or ''échauguette'', or spelled bartisan, is an overhanging turret projecting from the walls of late-medieval and early-modern fortifications from the early 14th c ...

of which only their bases remain, as well as

embrasure An embrasure (or crenel or crenelle; sometimes called gunhole in the domain of Age of Gunpowder, gunpowder-era architecture) is the opening in a battlement between two raised solid portions (merlons). Alternatively, an embrasure can be a sp ...

s at the top of the defensive wall, but at present there are no remains of them. In 1772, the right flank of the bastion was provided with a series of

arrowslit An arrowslit (often also referred to as an arrow loop, loophole or loop hole, and sometimes a balistraria) is a narrow vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows or a crossbowman can launch Crossbow bolt, bolts ...

s connected by a gallery for the circulation of the riflemen. The interior zone is very deteriorated. The bastion played a crucial role during the

War of the Spanish Succession The War of the Spanish Succession was a European great power conflict fought between 1701 and 1714. The immediate cause was the death of the childless Charles II of Spain in November 1700, which led to a struggle for control of the Spanish E ...

. Badajoz endured several sieges during this period, the most notable being in 1705 when supporters of

Archduke Charles of Austria Archduke Charles Louis John Joseph Lawrence of Austria, Duke of Teschen (; 5 September 177130 April 1847) was an Austrian Empire, Austrian field marshal, the third son of Emperor Leopold II and his wife, Maria Luisa of Spain. He was also the youn ...

besieged the city. The defenders, consisting of French and Spanish troops loyal to

Philip of Anjou Philip V (; 19 December 1683 – 9 July 1746) was King of Spain from 1 November 1700 to 14 January 1724 and again from 6 September 1724 to his death in 1746. His total reign (45 years and 16 days) is the longest in the history of the Spanish mo ...

, faced the attackers, who established their artillery batteries across the Rivillas stream, near "La Picuriña" and the hermitage of San Roque. The attackers aimed to exploit the city's weakest defensive side and breach the defensive wall to gain entry. They concentrated their fire on the bastion of San Pedro, succeeding in creating a breach. However, the arrival of French reinforcements discouraged them from proceeding with the assault. The experience from this conflict prompted the Badajoz defenders to enhance their fortifications in this area. They constructed a ravelin, known as the Ravelin of San Roque, and a fort outside the defensive walls, initially called the Fort of the Prince and later renamed the Fort of the Picuriña. During the

Peninsular War The Peninsular War (1808–1814) was fought in the Iberian Peninsula by Kingdom of Portugal, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom against the invading and occupying forces of the First French ...

, the redcoats of the future

Duke of Wellington Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and above sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they ar ...

, led by General

Thomas Picton Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton (24 August 175818 June 1815) was a British Army officer and colonial administrator. He fought in the Napoleonic Wars and died at Waterloo. According to the historian Alessandro Barbero, Picton was "respecte ...

of the 3rd Division, entered this area in 1812 following the third assault for the liberation of Badajoz. This assault resulted in significant casualties. To commemorate this battle, the soldiers engraved the year "1812" on one of the curtain walls of the bastion by removing the stones to expose the date. The impacts of cannonballs from the war remain visible on the bastion's corners. File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de San Pedro 24.jpg, Arrangement of guns in embrasures File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de San Pedro 18.jpg, Large raised curtain wall on rock and Espantaperros Tower in the background, to the left File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de San Pedro 22.jpg, Diagram of the Alcazaba defensive wall(1), transfer of the Merida Gate from (3) to (4) and bastioned enclosure (2) File:Siege of Badajoz, by Richard Caton Woodville Jr.jpg,

Siege of Badajoz (1812) In the siege of Badajoz (16 March – 6 April 1812), also called the third siege of Badajoz, an Anglo-Portuguese Army under the command of the Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, the Earl of Wellington (who was la ...

, by Richard Caton Woodville Jr.

Bastion of Trinidad

Number 3 in the Plan of Bastions. It is located in the northeast corner of the walled enclosure, where the

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

tower called Torre del Canto was located, between the bastion of Santa María and the bastion of San Pedro. To the left of this section, in the old map entitled ''Plan of the Square and Castle of Badajoz, capital of Extremadura and border with Portugal'', drawn by Jean Gabriel de Mercier de Chermont in 1775, it is observed that in front of the bastion and protecting its walls there is a

counterguard The counterguard (, ) is an outwork in a bastioned fortification system that usually comprises only a low rampart and which is sited in front of the actual fortress moat that runs around the bastions or ravelins. The rampart way of a countergu ...

marked with no. 22. It is also observed that the Convent of the Trinity, marked with no. 46, occupies almost the entire interior of the bastion. This bastion, along with the bastion of San Antonio, is one of the oldest in the bastioned enclosure of Badajoz, both constructed in 1680. The bastion's name derives from the Trinitarian convent that existed within it before its destruction. The convent, dating back to the 13th century, influenced the bastion's design. Some engineers, including Luis de Venegas, proposed moving the defensive wall to place the convent outside the walled enclosure. Others, such as Francisco Domingo, advocated for including the convent within the bastion, which was ultimately adopted. This decision faced criticism from military engineers responsible for the city's defense, as the area was lower and more vulnerable to attacks from the heights of "La Picuriña." Only remnants of the convent remain, as its stones were used in the bastion's reconstruction. The bastion originally featured

bartizan A bartizan (an alteration of ''bratticing''), also called a guerite, ''garita'', or ''échauguette'', or spelled bartisan, is an overhanging turret projecting from the walls of late-medieval and early-modern fortifications from the early 14th c ...

s for surveillance, but none are extant today. The embrasure openings and

arrowslit An arrowslit (often also referred to as an arrow loop, loophole or loop hole, and sometimes a balistraria) is a narrow vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows or a crossbowman can launch Crossbow bolt, bolts ...

s for rifles at half-height of the curtain wall are still visible, and there was an interior corridor along the length of the loopholes for communication between riflemen and the interior of the enclosure. Luis de Venegas's 1677 plan illustrates various proposed layouts for the defensive wall facing the Rivillas stream. The medieval wall is marked in red, the layout that excluded the convent is marked in green, and the layout that included the convent inside the enclosure is marked in black. The covered way to the outside is highlighted in yellow. The bastion was destroyed during the French sieges of 1811 and 1812 in the War of Independence and was subsequently rebuilt in the last third of the 20th century. Within the public park constructed on the site, several statues by

Juan de Ávalos ''Juan'' is a given name, the Spanish and Manx versions of ''John''. The name is of Hebrew origin and has the meaning "God has been gracious." It is very common in Spain and in other Spanish-speaking countries around the world and in the Philippi ...

are displayed: a sculptural group titled "Fallen Hero" and four bronze statues of the

Four Evangelists In Christian tradition, the Four Evangelists are Matthew the Apostle, Matthew, Mark the Evangelist, Mark, Luke the Evangelist, Luke, and John the Evangelist, John, the authors attributed with the creation of the four canonical Gospel accounts ...

, similar to those in the

Valley of the Fallen The Valley of Cuelgamuros (Spanish: ''Valle de Cuelgamuros''), until 2022 Valley of the Fallen (Spanish: ''Valle de los Caídos''), is a monument in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid. The valley contains a Catholic basilica and a monumen ...

. File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de la Trinidad. 01.jpg, Plan of the square and castle of Badajoz, capital of Extremadura and border with Portugal by J. Gabriel de Mercier, in 1775 File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de la Trinidad. 07.jpg, Curtain wall in the corner, or counterguard, made of ashlars with marks of cannonball impacts and embrasures for rifles File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de la Trinidad. 03.jpg, Inward-angled curtain wall with arrowslits and embrasures File:BA-R.A. Baluarte de la Trinidad. 17.jpg, Plan of the bastion area by Luis de Venegas, 1677

Bastion of Santa Maria

Number 4 in the Plan of Bastions. It is flanked by the bastions of La Trinidad and San Roque. It was also known as "La Laguna" due to the outer moat, which could be flooded by water from small dams on the Rivillas stream, thereby enhancing its defensive capability. This feature effectively transformed a large portion of the walled city into an island of difficult access. Constructed in the 17th century, the bastion was severely damaged during the French siege and assault on Badajoz in the War of Independence in 1812. The forces of Lord Wellington, including the 3rd Division and the Light Division, captured the city but left the bastion in ruins. Remnants of a cemetery, where British soldiers who fell in combat were buried, are located between the moats of this bastion and that of La Trinidad. The bastion was subsequently rebuilt in the 18th century. As a memorial to the 1812 destruction, the date "1812" was engraved on both this bastion and the one at La Trinidad, using the cannonball impacts that formed the numbers. The bastion originally featured fourteen cannon embrasures: four at the front and five on each side. Of the bartizans that once stood at each corner of the curtain walls, only two remain. The reconstruction included rifle galleries for enhanced defense. Currently, the bastion is surrounded by buildings, particularly in the southeastern area, and is obscured by extensive undergrowth, making it largely hidden from public view. File:BA-R.A-.Baluarte de Santa María- 15.jpg, Curtain wall with an outdoor park and monoliths to the fallen in the War of Independence. File:BA-R.A-.Baluarte de Santa María- 03.jpg, Large curtain wall with embrasures and bartizan in the background File:BA-R.A-.Baluarte de Santa María- 16.jpg, South and east curtain wall with outdoor park File:BA-R.A-.Baluarte de Santa María- 07.jpg, Curtain wall with embrasures and date 1812 engraved with the shots fired by Wellington's troops with cannonballs to commemorate the assault on the two bastions.

Bastion of San Roque

Number 5 in the Plan of Bastions. It is located between the bastion of Santa María and the now disappeared bastion of San Juan, in the southern part of the bastioned enclosure and is bounded by Estadiu street and the Ronda del Pilar. Originally constructed in the 17th century, it was reinforced during the 18th century with additional defensive features, including rifle and cannon embrasures. A total of sixteen embrasures were built: four at the front and six on each flank or curtain wall. The left flank was further equipped with rifle galleries and arrowslits to enhance its defensive capabilities. In 1818, a bullring was constructed within the bastion, but it fell into disuse with the advent of a more modern bullring in the 20th century and was subsequently demolished. The bullring was destroyed in 2006, and the site was replaced by the Conference Center of Badajoz.

Bastion of San Juan

The bastion of San Juan, which is number 5 on the Plan of Bastions, was located between the bastion of San Roque and the bastion of Santiago. It was entirely demolished in the 1950s to create road access to the center of Badajoz via Europa Avenue. The removal of the bastion led to the loss of several centuries of history associated with the bastioned enclosure of Badajoz. Known as the "Bastion of the Bomba", this bastion was in close proximity to the Pilar Gate. For many years, it housed a Cavalry barracks called Cuartel de la Bomba. The area formerly occupied by the bastion was subsequently urbanized, with its main street initially named General Rodrigo Street in honor of the soldier who participated in the occupation of Badajoz during the Spanish Civil War. This name was later changed to "Avenida de Europa".

Bastion of Santiago

Number 6 in the Plan of Bastions. It is located at the end of Menacho Street, between the bastion of San Juan to the east, which has completely disappeared, and the bastion of San José to the west, all of them in the southern part of Badajoz. This bastion, which features a pentagonal plan, was constructed in the 17th century and underwent significant modifications in the 18th century. It includes an

orillon An orillon, also known as an orillion, is an architectural element of a military fortification. The ear-shaped projection of masonry provided defense for guns and soldiers at the flank of a bastion. However, an orillon could also shield a city ga ...

, a semicircular element designed to defend the curtain wall between bastions and to protect the postern. Originally, the bastion was equipped with bartizans at all its vertices, although only the one in the orillon remains today. The bastion is also known as the "Bastion of Memory" in honor of General Menacho, who was killed in 1811 while defending Badajoz from French forces during the Spanish War of Independence. An inscription commemorating Menacho was placed on the bastion in 1852 at the location of his death. The monument, designed by Captain Julio Carande and executed by marble workers Almendro and Zoido, was inaugurated on May 2, 1893. It featured marble from Alconera for the pedestal and staircases, marble from Borba for the main structure, and Italian marble for the inscriptions. Although the original four marble lions that were part of the monument are now missing, part of the monument remains preserved. In the late 19th century, an attempt was made to add a postern to the bastion, intended as a small service gate for easy communication with the outside and for storage purposes. However, it never fulfilled its intended role effectively. Recent construction activities, such as the development of a parking lot, uncovered sections of older curtain walls and an Arab cemetery from the 10th and 11th centuries. These historical finds have been preserved and are visible from specific vantage points on the northwest flank of the bastion and within the parking lot itself. File:BA-R.A-Baluarte de Santiago 01.jpg, Night view of the orillon and bartizan at the western end File:BA-Recinto abaluartado.Base monum-dedicat 11.jpg, Western curtain wall File:BA-Recinto abaluartado.-B.Santiago-28.jpg, Union of the southern and western curtain walls File:BA-Recinto abaluartado.-B.Santiago-23.jpg, Monument in honor of General Menacho File:Rafael Menacho y Tutlló.jpg, Field Marshal Rafael Menacho, by Manuel Roca (1811)

Bastion of San José

It has the number 7 in the Plan of Bastions. It is flanked by the bastion of Santiago on the south, and by the bastion of San Vicente in its southwest wing. It is not directly connected to the Bastion of Santiago, as the curtain wall that linked them was demolished to accommodate the construction of Columbus Avenue, which connects the center of Badajoz with its expansion area to the west. However, the curtain wall linking it to the Bastion of San Vicente remains intact and in excellent condition since its construction, which began in the latter part of the 17th century. This curtain wall was later renovated and extended in the 18th century and received additional reinforcement near the top of the curtain walls. The bastion was equipped with eight embrasures: four facing the Bastion of Santiago, two towards the

ravelin A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress (the curtain walls and bastions). Originally called a ''demi-lune'', after the ''lunette'', the ravelin is placed outside a castle a ...

, and two towards the curtain wall connecting it with the Bastion of San Vicente. Between 1772 and 1777, many of the bastions, including the Bastion of San José, were reinforced to increase their thickness and, consequently, their resistance to artillery fire. The Bastion of San José was provided with two "riflemen's galleries", also known as "''Galería Aspillerada''" due to the arrow slits used by riflemen. It is the only bastion that retains both galleries, though the one on the left flank is almost completely sunken. Additionally, a section of the covered path surrounding the entire bastion is preserved; this path's defensive purpose was to detect the enemy from a distance, allowing defenders to remain hidden. Thus, it served as the first line of defense. Although this bastion effectively fulfilled its defensive role, it was involved in relatively few sieges despite the city's numerous conflicts, and it was the area least affected by enemy artillery. The route for inspection begins at the southern end of the bastion, near the Bastion of Santiago, separated by Avenida de Colón, and proceeds to the southwestern end before continuing through the interior of the bastion. File:BA-R.A.-Baluarte de San José 01.jpg, Night view of south-western curtain wall File:BaluarteSanJosé.jpg, Part of the bastion of San José File:BA-R.A.-Baluarte de San José 12.jpg, Detail of the welt on the curtain wall File:BA-R.A.-Baluarte de San José 13.jpg, Strong south curtain wall and bartizan in the background

Bastion of San Vicente

It has the number 8 in the Plan of Bastions. It has on its left flank, to the west, the bastion of San José, and on the right, to the northwest, the semibastion of Palmas Gate. Constructed in the 17th century, it provided defensive fire coverage for the northwest section of the Bastion of San José. The bastion preserves an

orillon An orillon, also known as an orillion, is an architectural element of a military fortification. The ear-shaped projection of masonry provided defense for guns and soldiers at the flank of a bastion. However, an orillon could also shield a city ga ...

at its left end in excellent condition. Along with the Bastion of Santiago, it is one of the few remaining examples of this defensive feature. The bastion features multiple embrasures for large-caliber artillery, located on the orillon, the poterna, and the flank facing the Guadiana River. It also includes bartizans at the corners of the curtain walls and on the orillon. This bastion, along with the Bastion of San José, is among the most noteworthy for visitors due to its extensive array of historical defensive elements.

Semi-bastion of Palmas Gate

Also known as ''Baluarte de las Lágrimas'' (Bastion of Tears), it is number 9 on the Plan of Bastions. It is located on the left flank of Palmas Gate. The Palmas Gate had a series of defensive elements among which was this semi-bastion which is the only building that remains. The semi-bastion is characterized by two curtain walls forming an angle: one oriented towards the Guadiana River and the other towards the west, connecting at its end with the Bastion of San Vicente. The western curtain wall includes three embrasures in its upper section designed to provide defensive fire and protect against potential assaults on the moat of the Bastion of San Vicente. The inspection route starts at the junction with the Bastion of San Vicente, progresses outward to Palmas Gate, and then returns through the upper area of the bastion, moving in the opposite direction.

Gates

Mapa de puertas del Recinto Abaluartado de Badajoz

The gates of the bastioned enclosures were openings in the curtain walls designed for the passage of people and vehicles, as well as for controlling access. Until the mid-20th century, these gates were opened at dawn and closed at dusk. They also served a fiscal function, as they were the locations where taxes, then referred to as tariffs, were collected on certain goods entering the city. In the final years of this tax collection practice, payments were made at the Palmas Gate on the side entrance road. However, prior to this, the collection took place at the midpoint of the Palmas Bridge, where two bartizans in the form of merlon towers were situated.

Merida Gate

The gate numbered 10 on the Plan of Gates is located in an area known as "Campillo", south of the Alcazaba. Initially, this gate was part of the original Almohad defensive wall from the 13th century, situated slightly farther east on a curtain wall of the Bastion of San Pedro. It provided access to the city via the old road from Talavera to Mérida, which is reflected in its name. However, access is required fording the Rivillas stream. When construction of the Vauban-style defensive system began in the 17th century, the gate's location was adjusted and it was repositioned to its current site, between the Bastions of San Pedro and San Antonio. The gate was flanked by two large square towers, one on each side, along with other defensive features. Despite this relocation, the gate became unusable because the new defensive works necessitated the use of a quarry located outside the gate. This created a steep, nearly vertical slope that rendered the gate inaccessible, leading to its being walled up. As of the early 21st century, it remains impracticable and inaccessible from the outside. A coat of arms of Great Britain is situated nearby as a tribute from the

Cortes of Cadiz Cortes, Cortés, Cortês, Corts, or Cortès may refer to: People * Cortes (surname), including a list of people with the name ** Hernán Cortés (1485–1547), a Spanish conquistador Places * Cortes, Navarre, a village in the South border of ...

to Lord Wellington for his role in the 1812 conquest of Badajoz from the French. Additionally, it honors the

Count of Montijo Count of Montijo () is a hereditary title in the Peerage of Spain accompanied by the dignity of Grandee, granted in 1599 by Philip III to Juan Portocarrero, Lord of Montijo, mayordomo mayor and a knight of the Order of Santiago The Order ...

, then Captain General of Extremadura, who was a significant proponent of the bastioned enclosure's construction. Above the gate, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Tentudía, now vanished, was once built. The interior façade featured an area for the gate's guards and the aforementioned chapel. The arch of the exterior façade is constructed with large

granite Granite ( ) is a coarse-grained (phanerite, phaneritic) intrusive rock, intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly coo ...

stones, some of which are wedge-shaped and were salvaged from the old gate. At the upper part of the arch, there are stone blocks bearing the coats of arms of King Charles V—originally placed on the gate—and the Count of Montijo, which replaced the coat of arms of Badajoz.

Gate of La Trinidad

Designated as number 11 on the Plan of Gates, it is situated adjacent to the San Roque Bridge, at the beginning of the Pilar roundabout, and directly in front of the Monument to the Fallen Hero. It provides access to the Bastion of the Trinity. Constructed in 1680 using granite ashlars, the gate is crowned on the exterior with the coat of arms of Charles II, reflecting the period of its construction. The defensive wall above the gate features several embrasures for large-caliber artillery. Like other earlier gates, this one was demolished as part of the construction of the new defensive system, and a similar gate was built in its place, which remains today. Unlike most gates, which are positioned centrally within a curtain wall between two consecutive bastions, this gate was situated on a flank of the Bastion of the Trinity, a design choice that was later criticized as one of the major mistakes in the defensive layout. The width of the defensive wall at this location is approximately twelve meters. The passage beneath the wall is covered by a very wide barrel vault. The interior façade is relatively plain, adorned only with a pair of spiral-shaped figures, and the construction date: 1680. Additionally, it features a small postern—a secondary, often concealed door—intended for quick access to the moat and rainwater drainage. Between 1930 and 1940, part of the bastion was demolished to facilitate road traffic, resulting in the loss of this historical element of the city.

Pilar Gate

Designated as number 12 on the Plan of Gates, it is located in the southwestern part of the defensive system, situated between the Bastions of San Roque and San Juan. It was constructed in 1692. Due to its exposure to enemy fire, the gate was protected by a

glacis A glacis (, ) in military engineering is an artificial slope as part of a medieval castle or in early modern fortresses. They may be constructed of earth as a temporary structure or of stone in more permanent structure. More generally, a glaci ...

, and in front of it stood the "Fort of Pardaleras." The fort was connected to the gate by a covered road, which provided protection from enemy fire and allowed for the secure relief of troops, as well as the resupply of ammunition, food, and water. Originally, the gate featured a

drawbridge A drawbridge or draw-bridge is a type of moveable bridge typically at the entrance to a castle or tower surrounded by a moat. In some forms of English, including American English, the word ''drawbridge'' commonly refers to all types of moveable b ...

to facilitate crossing the moat surrounding the city. The openings for the lever systems used to raise the drawbridge on both sides of the gate are still preserved. This gate is the only one within the enclosure for which there is reliable evidence of having had a drawbridge. The exterior façade of the gate displays the coat of arms of the

Count of Montijo Count of Montijo () is a hereditary title in the Peerage of Spain accompanied by the dignity of Grandee, granted in 1599 by Philip III to Juan Portocarrero, Lord of Montijo, mayordomo mayor and a knight of the Order of Santiago The Order ...

, featuring rampant lions on either side. The Count, who was the Captain General of the province, oversaw the construction and completion of the gate in 1692. He also donated the small statue of

Our Lady of the Pillar Our Lady of the Pillar () is the name given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the context of the traditional belief that Mary, while living in Jerusalem, supernaturally appeared to the Apostle James the Greater in AD 40, AD 40 while he was pre ...

, which is located on the interior façade of the gate and from which it derives its name. The statue was ceremoniously moved from the cathedral in a procession led by the Bishop of Badajoz, Marín de Rodezno, and installed at the gate. The façade also features a statue of King Charles II. On either side of the exterior façade, two columns are believed to have served as pedestals for religious images. Historically, the gate was known as Jerez Gate because the road from Badajoz through it led to

Jerez Jerez de la Frontera () or simply Jerez, also cited in old English-language sources as , is a city and municipality in the province of Cádiz in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Located in southwestern Iberia, it lies on the Campi� ...

, and later as Santa Marina Gate due to its proximity to the convent of the same name, associated with the

Templars The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, mainly known as the Knights Templar, was a military order of the Catholic faith, and one of the most important military orders in Western Christianity. They were founded in 11 ...

. Until the end of the 20th century, the gate was connected to the defensive walls by the Bastion of San Roque to the west and the Bastion of San Juan to the east. However, the Bastion of San Juan was demolished at the end of the 20th century to make way for road traffic, resulting in an irreparable loss of this historical element of the defensive enclosure. It has two commemorative plaques on both sides of the inner side that were placed in the act of its inauguration and read as follows: The main feature of the Pilar Gate is its design as a vaulted gallery of substantial dimensions, accommodating the passage of carriages. It extends slightly beyond the width of the defensive wall and features façades adorned with

semicircular arches In mathematics (and more specifically geometry), a semicircle is a one-dimensional locus of points that forms half of a circle. It is a circular arc that measures 180° (equivalently, radians, or a half-turn). It only has one line of symmetry ...

and pediments on the cornices, topped by three spheres that retain their original Baroque style. Currently, the gate is surrounded by a park known as Parque de los Cañones. Visible traces of the grooves through which chains were run to operate the

drawbridge A drawbridge or draw-bridge is a type of moveable bridge typically at the entrance to a castle or tower surrounded by a moat. In some forms of English, including American English, the word ''drawbridge'' commonly refers to all types of moveable b ...

can still be seen. This drawbridge was later replaced by a fixed bridge. The gate is notable for preserving drawings and engravings on the columns of the exterior façade, created by the stonemasons and soldiers who once guarded it. In the last third of the 20th century, the Pilar Gate underwent a restoration that was well received by historians. The restoration preserved its original

Baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...

features, including the pediment and the royal coat of arms, as well as the grooves used for the drawbridge chains. File:BA-Recinto abaluartado. Puerta Pilar 14.jpg, Exterior facade File:BA-R.A.-Puerta Pilar.jpg, Interior facade File:BA-Recinto abaluartado. Puerta Pilar 04.jpg, Tribute plaque to the

Count of Montijo Count of Montijo () is a hereditary title in the Peerage of Spain accompanied by the dignity of Grandee, granted in 1599 by Philip III to Juan Portocarrero, Lord of Montijo, mayordomo mayor and a knight of the Order of Santiago The Order ...

, Captain General of Extremadura, who ordered to place the image of the Virgin of Pilar File:BA-Recinto abaluartado. Puerta Pilar 03.jpg, Tribute plaque to Juan Marin de Rodezno, Bishop of Badajoz, for the indulgences granted to the people of Badajoz

Palmas Gate

Designated as number 13 on the Plan of Gates, it is situated in front of the Palmas Bridge, also known as the Old Bridge, and is located in the Plaza de los Reyes Católicos. Constructed around 1460, it originally connected the historic center of Badajoz with the Old Bridge over the Guadiana River. Although the gate still serves this function, it is now isolated as a historical architectural element, with the connection to the bridge maintained via two side streets that surround it. Initially called "''Puerta Nueva''" (New Gate), it was renamed Palmas Gate following the construction of another gate in the 17th century in front of what is now the Autonomy Bridge. The gate features two distinct façades—interior and exterior. The interior façade is flanked by two cylindrical

merlon A merlon is the solid, upright section of a battlement (a crenellated parapet) in medieval architecture or fortifications. Merlons are sometimes pierced by narrow, vertical embrasures, or tooth-like slits designed for observation and fire. The sp ...

towers of circular section. These towers are joined by a lower body or access opening, which connects the two towers through a segmental arch with a slight

archivolt An archivolt (or voussure) is an ornamental Molding (decorative), moulding or band following the curve on the underside of an arch. It is composed of bands of ornamental mouldings (or other architectural elements) surrounding an arched opening, ...

. The towers are topped with a decorative stone cordon, typical of the 16th century, below the battlements. At the height of their terraces, the towers feature

acroteria An acroterion, acroterium, (pl. akroteria) is an architectural ornament placed on a flat pedestal called the ''acroter'' or plinth, and mounted at the apex or corner of the pediment of a building in the classical style. An acroterion placed ...

or plinths supporting ornaments. The upper body of the gate is distinguished by three successive semicircular arches spanning from one tower to the other. The central arch is the largest, flaring slightly inward, and is decorated with

coffer A coffer (or coffering) in architecture is a series of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon in a ceiling, soffit or vault. A series of these sunken panels was often used as decoration for a ceiling or a vault, al ...

s. At its center is an image of "Our Lady of the Angels", sculpted by Guillermo Silveira on the order of the architect Francisco Vaca Morales. This image is housed in a Renaissance niche with a

segmental arch A segmental arch is a type of arch with a circular arc of less than 180 degrees. It is sometimes also called a scheme arch. The segmental arch is one of the strongest arches because it is able to resist Arch#Basic concepts, thrust. To prevent fai ...

and a somewhat lowered pediment, flanked by two carved angels in relief. A terrace or

chemin de ronde A ''chemin de ronde'' ( French, "round path"' or "patrol path"; ), also called an allure, alure or, more prosaically, a wall-walk, is a raised protected walkway behind a castle battlement. In early fortifications, high castle walls were difficu ...

in front of these arches connects both towers. The exterior façade features two concentric

semicircular arches In mathematics (and more specifically geometry), a semicircle is a one-dimensional locus of points that forms half of a circle. It is a circular arc that measures 180° (equivalently, radians, or a half-turn). It only has one line of symmetry ...

. The interior surface of the outer arch is adorned with geometric coffered decorations. The

spandrel A spandrel is a roughly triangular space, usually found in pairs, between the top of an arch and a rectangular frame, between the tops of two adjacent arches, or one of the four spaces between a circle within a square. They are frequently fil ...

s of the outer arch display medallions of

Charles V Charles V may refer to: Kings and Emperors * Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) * Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain * Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise Others * Charles V, Duke ...

and Philip II. An inscription at the top of this façade indicates that the gate was built in 1551 during the reign of Philip II. In addition to its defensive and passage control functions, the Palmas Gate also serves a symbolic role akin to a triumphal arch, honoring the sovereigns and kings of its time. Designed in the Renaissance style, it emulates the triumphal arches of Roman civilization. At the beginning of the 19th century, the gate was used as a prison. It was restored in 1960 by Francisco Vaca Morales, an architect, writer, essayist, and art critic. The Palmas Bridge, the oldest bridge crossing the Guadiana River in Badajoz, is closely associated with the Palmas Gate. It was constructed in 1596 during the reign of Philip II, with Diego Hurtado de Mendoza serving as governor of Badajoz. The bridge bears an inscription marking its completion in 1596. However, some historians suggest that the bridge may have been built concurrently with the gate in 1460 and was later destroyed by a major flood in 1545. File:Puerta Palma-1.JPG, Palmas Gate interior facade File:Puerta de Palmas.jpg, Palmas Gate, exterior facade File:BA-R.A. Puerta de Palmas.jpg, Image of Palmas Gate in 1903 File:Puente11.jpg, Palmas Gate connects to the Palmas Bridge, which provides access to the city

Pajaritos Gate

It has the number 14 in the Plan of Gates. It is located under a tower in which is located the Hermitage of Pajaritos, although the exact date of its construction is not known, certain historians like Ayala and Rubio are inclined by the thesis that it could be of

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

ic origin and indicate that it was of ''angled axis'', that is to say, not straight, to make difficult the passage to the enemy and that it was not demolished when the Vauban defensive wall was raised. Other historians indicate that it was built in the 16th century. For a significant period, the gate was closed to both vehicles and pedestrians and was even used as a sewer. It is currently walled up. During the construction of the Vauban defensive wall, the gate was preserved and framed at both ends with brick arches. The base of the vault is supported by

granite Granite ( ) is a coarse-grained (phanerite, phaneritic) intrusive rock, intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly coo ...

ashlars Ashlar () is a cut and dressed stone, worked using a chisel to achieve a specific form, typically rectangular in shape. The term can also refer to a structure built from such stones. Ashlar is the finest stone masonry unit, and is generally ...

along the entire length of the gate. A small passageway provided access to an outbuilding likely intended for the gate's guard personnel. Although it is now semi-buried, it was originally situated at a higher level relative to the surrounding area to fulfill its function as a gate. The gate is located near the "Bridge of Autonomy", adjacent to a traffic circle featuring sculptures of the heads of Luis Alvarez Lencero, Jesus Delgado Valhondo, and Manuel Pacheco, all poets from Extremadura. These sculptures were created by the Badajoz sculptor Luis Martínez Giraldo. Adjacent to the gate is the Hermitage of Pajaritos, also known as the Hermitage of the

Orioles Oriole or Orioles may refer to: Animals * Old World oriole, colorful passerine birds in the family Oriolidae * New World oriole, a group of birds in the family Icteridae Music * The Orioles, an R&B and doo-wop group of the late 1940s and early ...

. The exact date of its initial construction is unknown. Local tradition suggests that the gate's name derives from a painting by

Luis de Morales Luis de Morales (1509 – 9 May 1586) was a Spanish painter active during the Spanish Renaissance in the 16th century. Known as "El Divino", most of his work was of religious subjects, including many representations of the Madonna and Child an ...

called ''La Virgen del Pajarito'', dated 1546, which was once displayed at the gate and is now preserved in the Church of San Agustín in Madrid. However, it appears that the gate originally featured a carving of the Virgin and Child, which is now located in the Church of San Agustín in Badajoz.

San Vicente Gate

Designated as number 15 on the Plan of Gates, San Vicente Gate is uniquely situated outside the bastioned enclosure of Badajoz, on the right bank of the

Guadiana River The Guadiana River ( , , , ) is an international river defining a long stretch of the Portugal-Spain border, separating Extremadura and Andalusia (Spain) from Alentejo and Algarve (Portugal). The river's basin extends from la Mancha and the ea ...

. It is located at the northern end of the Palmas Bridge, to the east of the "Hornabeque del Puente de Palmas", near the bridge's exit. Built around 1665, San Vicente Gate served as one of the primary access points to the city for over two centuries. It was strategically important as it provided entry to Badajoz after crossing the Palmas Bridge, which spans the Guadiana River. A covered way originating from the gate extended to the Fort of San Cristóbal, situated on a hill that commands the right bank of the river, overlooking the old city of Badajoz. The gate features a semi-elliptical opening that extends into an interior passageway with a

barrel vault A barrel vault, also known as a tunnel vault, wagon vault or wagonhead vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve (or pair of curves, in the case of a pointed barrel vault) along a given distance. The curves are ...

ed ceiling. Above the gate, a

bartizan A bartizan (an alteration of ''bratticing''), also called a guerite, ''garita'', or ''échauguette'', or spelled bartisan, is an overhanging turret projecting from the walls of late-medieval and early-modern fortifications from the early 14th c ...

is mounted on cantilevers and includes an

arrowslit An arrowslit (often also referred to as an arrow loop, loophole or loop hole, and sometimes a balistraria) is a narrow vertical aperture in a fortification through which an archer can launch arrows or a crossbowman can launch Crossbow bolt, bolts ...

floor, allowing defenders to observe and protect the entrance without exposing themselves to enemy fire. This bartizan is uniquely square in section, distinguishing it from other geometric forms within Badajoz's bastioned defensive system, and includes a terrace for access. A room within the gate housed the guard responsible for managing its access, including opening it in the morning and closing it in the evening. Beneath the

hornwork A hornwork is an element of the Italian bastion system of fortification. Its face is flanked with a pair of half-bastions. It is distinguished from a crownwork, because crownworks contain full bastions at their centers. They are both outwork ...

, there is a moat crossed by a small bridge supported by two square columns, each crowned with a ball. Both the bridge and columns are constructed of

masonry Masonry is the craft of building a structure with brick, stone, or similar material, including mortar plastering which are often laid in, bound, and pasted together by mortar (masonry), mortar. The term ''masonry'' can also refer to the buildin ...

. The gate ceased to function when the deck of Palmas Bridge was extended over the hornwork at the end of the 19th century. File:BA-R.A. Puerta de San Vicente 06.jpg, Exterior facade, to the east File:BA-R.A. Puerta de San Vicente 08.jpg, Interior facade, west File:BA-R.A. Puerta de San Vicente 03.jpg, Engraving General view of Badajoz by Jean Jerôme Baugean and François Jacques Dequevauviller in 1812. In the right margin, the Door of San Vicente is distinguished. File:BA-R.A. Puerta de San Vicente 05.jpg, Fore-door of the San Vicente Gate

Pelambres Gate

Numbered 16 on the Plan of Gates, Pelambres Gate, also known as "Portillo de Pelambres", is first documented in the early 16th century. Its name derives from the tanners' guild located nearby, which used the gate to evacuate waste from the "Curtidores" neighborhood. The gate was originally situated opposite the old "Street of the River", which later became known as "Street of Joaquín Sama." It is positioned between Palmas Gate and New Gate. Historical maps and engravings indicate that Pelambres Gate was constructed between two relatively small towers or possibly within a larger tower that remained standing until the late 18th century. Its function extended beyond providing access to the river; it also served as a conduit to the nearby ''Fuente de Mafra''. With the opening of the New Gate (also known as Chariots Gate) and Palmas Gate, both located nearby, Pelambres Gate lost its primary function and was repurposed as a sewer or spillway. By 1886, when the "Batería del Redondo" was connected to the "Puerta de Palmas" by a defensive wall, the gate was completely closed. It was filled with earth and stones on the interior side to elevate the surrounding street and enhance the area's defensive position. Today, only remnants of the spillway's

lintel A lintel or lintol is a type of beam (a horizontal structural element) that spans openings such as portals, doors, windows and fireplaces. It can be a decorative architectural element, or a combined ornamented/structural item. In the case ...

are visible on the outer face of the defensive wall at ground level.

New Gate

Number 17 on the Plan of Gates, the New Gate is situated opposite the current Autonomy Bridge and behind the former palace of Godoy, which has served as a prison in the past and is now the School of Business Sciences. The gate is located in a curtain wall of the defensive structure that extended from Pajaritos Gate to Pelambres Gate. Following the construction of the New Gate, both Pelambres Gate and Pajaritos Gate were closed to traffic. The New Gate featured a double doorway with a front drum and included a space for the guard corps. Construction of the New Gate began at the end of the 17th century under the design of the military engineer Martín de Gabriel and was completed in 1765. It was also known as Chariots Gate or Gate of the River, though these names were also applied to other gates in the walled enclosure facing the Guadiana River. The New Gate shared similar characteristics with the Pilar Gate; although the New Gate was demolished in 1962, photographs and descriptions reveal that it featured a

segmental arch A segmental arch is a type of arch with a circular arc of less than 180 degrees. It is sometimes also called a scheme arch. The segmental arch is one of the strongest arches because it is able to resist Arch#Basic concepts, thrust. To prevent fai ...

flanked by columns and topped with a cornice. Like the Pilar Gate, it included a guardhouse and an access ramp. At the beginning of the 21st century, the gate's buried foundations were discovered, having been obscured since its closure and subsequent demolition.

Forts

Fort of San Cristóbal

The Fort of San Cristóbal is situated on the right bank of the Guadiana River, atop the ''Cerro de San Cristóbal'', which is encircled by the EX-100 road. Access to the site is via a recently paved dirt road from the intersection of Inés Medrano Gil and Cardenal Cisneros streets. Initially owned by the Ministry of Defense, the fort was acquired by the Badajoz City Council in 1973. The Fort of San Cristóbal is the only surviving example of the outer defensive forts of Badajoz, preserved in its original form. The site where the fort stands, Cerro de San Cristóbal, was once the location of the Dukes of Orinaza's palace, and

Ibn Marwan ‘Abd al-Raḥmān ibn Marwān al-Jillīqī (, died ''),'' also known as simply al-Jillīqī (), was a Muwallad whose family had come from what is now northern Portugal and settled near Mérida. In 868, leading a host of Muwallads and Mozarabs ...

planned to establish the city of Badajoz there in the 9th century. Constructed during the

Portuguese Restoration War The Restoration War (), historically known as the Acclamation War (''Guerra da Aclamação''), was the war between Portugal and Spain that began with the Portuguese revolution of 1640 and ended with the Treaty of Lisbon in 1668, bringing a forma ...

, the fort was among the first to enhance Badajoz's medieval defensive system. Construction began in 1642. It is the sole exterior fort of the numerous ones built that remains intact. The fort is rectangular, featuring two small bastions and two semi-bastions. The section of the defensive wall connecting the two northern bastions is protected by a

ravelin A ravelin is a triangular fortification or detached outwork, located in front of the innerworks of a fortress (the curtain walls and bastions). Originally called a ''demi-lune'', after the ''lunette'', the ravelin is placed outside a castle a ...

. The southern semi-bastions are linked by an

embrasure An embrasure (or crenel or crenelle; sometimes called gunhole in the domain of Age of Gunpowder, gunpowder-era architecture) is the opening in a battlement between two raised solid portions (merlons). Alternatively, an embrasure can be a sp ...

d gorge, a narrowing in the triangular portion of the ravelin where it meets the defensive wall. , and their situation with respect to

Badajoz Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portugal, Portuguese Portugal–Spain border, border, on the left bank of the river ...

and the fort of San Cristóbal The Fort of San Cristóbal was equipped with embrasures for twelve cannons and could accommodate approximately 300 riflemen. Its defensive walls are surrounded by a moat lined with stone from a nearby quarry. Above this moat are an additional defensive wall and a "''paseo de ronda''" (walkway for patrols). During its reconstruction, the original defensive walls were reinforced with stone and fitted with five outer crescents that served as advanced defenses. These were strategically placed along the northern flank, which lacked natural protection from the river. Repair work continued throughout the war, integrating the new construction with the old medieval walls. A covered way connected the fort's gate with the San Vicente Gate in the ''Hornabeque del Puente de Palmas'', and some sections of this covered way have been preserved. The vicinity of the fort was the site of the

Battle of the Gebora The Battle of the Gebora took place during the Peninsular War between Enlightenment Spain, Spanish and First French Empire, French armies on 19 February 1811, northwest of Badajoz, Spain. An outnumbered French force routed and nearly destroye ...

on February 19, 1811. This battle, which resulted in a French victory over the Spanish army, is commemorated on the Arc de Triomphe of Paris, with the names of both

Badajoz Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portugal, Portuguese Portugal–Spain border, border, on the left bank of the river ...

and Gévora inscribed to honor the battles fought there. The fort currently houses the Visitors' Centre of the Fortifications of the Border. In January 2014, restoration work and tourist management of the fort were undertaken by a private company. File:Badajoz by Eugene Buttura.jpg, View of Badajoz from the heights of San Cristobal. Work by Eugène Buttura (1812–1852) File:Fuerte de San Cristóbal en Badajoz.jpg, Fort of San Cristóbal File:BA-R.A.Fuerte de S. Cristobal desde la Alcazaba.jpg, View of the fort from the Alcazaba File:Battle of the Gebora-es.svg, Diagram representing the situation of the troops and the main movements during the

Battle of the Gebora The Battle of the Gebora took place during the Peninsular War between Enlightenment Spain, Spanish and First French Empire, French armies on 19 February 1811, northwest of Badajoz, Spain. An outnumbered French force routed and nearly destroye ...

Fort of the Prince or the Picuriña

The fort is located in the southeastern part of the city, within the Park of the Picuriña, adjacent to Marqués de Lombay Street. This fort was part of the outer defenses of the Badajoz bastioned enclosure, situated northeast of the Bastion of Trinidad, between the San Miguel mountain range and the Rivillas stream. Today, only a few structures remain in a semi-ruinous state. Constructed in 1705, the fort was maintained until the 1970s, when most of it was demolished, leaving only a few buildings standing. Despite its relatively small size, the fort was a formidable defensive structure, separate from the city's bastioned enclosure. It was surrounded by a moat, with access to the interior provided by a drawbridge. Communication with Badajoz was facilitated by a covered way. The interior space, serving as a parade ground, was triangular in shape. The perimeter defensive wall featured twenty embrasures, highlighting its defensive capabilities. Additionally, bartizans were positioned at the corners of the perimeter, and the lower part of the wall included embrasures designed to accommodate firearms and artillery to protect the moat in the event of an enemy assault.

Fort of Pardaleras

The fort was one of the walled redoubts that comprised the outer defenses of the bastioned enclosure. Its strategic location allowed it to effectively cover the Calamón stream, as well as the hills of Picuriña and the Wind, with artillery fire. The Picuriña hill, though not very high, held significant strategic value and was highly sought after by besiegers, leading to frequent attacks from this area. The fort was situated directly across from the Pilar Gate. In the 20th century, the site was repurposed for the Preventive and Correctional Prison of Badajoz. Subsequently, the Ibero-American Museum of Contemporary Art was established on the site, which retains the characteristic cylindrical building of the former prison. It is noteworthy that the photographs referenced in the description of the Pardaleras fort depict the Picuriña fort.

Fort of Las Cuestas

In the northwest area of Badajoz, outside the city limits, was the "Bastioned Fort of Las Cuestas", also known as the line of fortification of Las Cuestas. Situated north of the Santa Engracia neighborhood, the fortification bordered the right bank of the Cuestas stream in an area known as "Cuesta Colorada." Its perimeter extended from the BA-020 road, which connects to the Portuguese city of Campo Maior, to a drinking water treatment station at the opposite end. The fortification was a significant defensive structure, frequently targeted by the Portuguese army during their advances towards Badajoz. After its operational period, the fort was completely razed, leaving no preserved remains. The fort of Las Cuestas, located centrally within this defensive line, featured a pentagonal plan with bastions and semi-bastions at its corners. Today, only aerial views reveal the remnants of three forts and approximately 500 meters of trenches.

Hornwork of the Head of the Palmas Bridge

The

hornwork A hornwork is an element of the Italian bastion system of fortification. Its face is flanked with a pair of half-bastions. It is distinguished from a crownwork, because crownworks contain full bastions at their centers. They are both outwork ...

is a critical component of the defensive architecture of Badajoz, designed as an external fortification to bolster the city's defenses, particularly for controlling and protecting river crossings. This particular hornwork is situated on the right bank of the Guadiana River, adjacent to the north end of the Palmas Bridge. Construction began in 1642, coinciding with the establishment of the city's modern defensive system. The "Head of the Bridge" was protected by a hornwork of this type and is composed of two semi-bastions joined by a curtain wall between them. The exit to the exterior was made going down the ramp that descends to the San Vicente Gate, not existing then the last arches of the bridge, which are of modern construction. It has a moat, a troop training square, crossings,

foothills Foothills or piedmont are geography, geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range, higher hill range or an highland, upland area. They are a transition zone between plains and low terrain, relief hill ...

, a room for the guard corps, and a room for the chief officer of the troops, as well as three bartizan and several embrasures for cannons. The hornwork has a single gate on its right flank, the San Vicente Gate, from where the roads to Alburquerque,

Elvas Elvas (), officially the City of Elvas (), is a Portuguese municipality, former episcopal city and frontier fortress of easternmost central Portugal, located in the district of Portalegre in Alentejo. It is situated about east of Lisbon, and ab ...

, the Portuguese city of Campo Maior, and the covered road that led to the fort of San Cristóbal used to leave. There are also some remains of the Rana fountain, built in the 18th century in the vicinity. The Palmas Bridge over the hornwork was built in 1868, lengthening the deck to give continuity to the bridge towards the street that linked the city with the new railroad station and thus facilitate the passage of vehicles. The forts of Cabeza del Puente and San Cristóbal played a crucial role in the conflict between Spain and Portugal, enduring numerous attacks and sieges. Notably, on June 23, 1658, during a protracted night assault, Portuguese forces managed to capture the fort. However, it was subsequently reclaimed by the "Third of the Armada" at the cost of significant casualties, including several captains and the Marquis of Lanzarote, who was the governor of Badajoz. Despite this setback, the Portuguese forces regrouped at "Vado del Moro", fortified the area, and laid siege to the city once more. File:BA-R.A-Hornabeque de la Cabeza del Puente de Palmas 01.jpg, Night view of the exterior of the western flank File:BA-R.A-Hornabeque de la Cabeza del Puente de Palmas-13.jpg, Exterior view of the west flank File:BA-R.A-Hornabeque de la Cabeza del Puente de Palmas-32.jpg, Exterior Facade of the San Vicente Gate File:BA-R.A-Hornabeque de la Cabeza del Puente de Palmas-29.jpg, 1914 aerial view of the covered road from hornwork to the fort of San Cristóbal

Minor forts

In addition to the bastioned enclosure and the outer forts, a series of outer forts with less defensive capacity were also built, since they were defended only by moats and stakes. Erected in haste, very few had "covered passages", that is to say, communications by means of long trenches with sufficient depth to be protected from enemy fire when passing through them. In several cases, the defenders were surrounded by the enemy, who took the fort and used it to tighten the siege. Among the various forts that were built were those of "Las Mayas", "Cerro del viento", "Vado del Mayordomo", "Vado del Moro", "San Miguel", "San Gabriel", "San Gaspar", "Telena" and several others.

Ravelines

The ravelin, also known as rebellín in

old Spanish Old Spanish (, , ; ), also known as Old Castilian or Medieval Spanish, refers to the varieties of Ibero-Romance spoken predominantly in Castile and environs during the Middle Ages. The earliest, longest, and most famous literary composition in O ...

, is a generally triangular

fortification A fortification (also called a fort, fortress, fastness, or stronghold) is a military construction designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Lati ...

located exempt from the body of the main fortification and in front of it, usually on the other side of a

moat A moat is a deep, broad ditch dug around a castle, fortification, building, or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. Moats can be dry or filled with water. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water d ...

to divide the attacking force and better cover the curtain walls by means of

crossfire A crossfire (also known as interlocking fire) is a military term for the siting of weapons (often automatic weapons such as assault rifles or sub-machine guns) so that their arcs of fire overlap. This tactic came to prominence in World War I. ...

. Together with other elements, it is part of the so-called

bastion fort A bastion fort or ''trace italienne'' (a phrase derived from non-standard French, meaning 'Italian outline') is a fortification in a style developed during the early modern period in response to the ascendancy of gunpowder weapons such as c ...

, hence its etymology, since it comes from the Italian ''

rivellino Roberto Rivellino (; born 1 January 1946), known as just Rivellino, is a Brazilian football pundit and former player who was one of the key members of Brazil's 1970 FIFA World Cup-winning team. The son of Italian immigrants from Macchiagodena, ...

'' or ''revellino''. Riflemen stand on benches that allow them to fire while their comrades crouch down to charge without exposing themselves to enemy fire. The side of the triangle semi-parallel to the curtain wall where the ravelin is arranged does not usually have defenses so that, in case it is taken by the enemy, they cannot chemin de ronde and make themselves strong in it.

Ravelin of San Roque

The ravelin of San Roque is situated between Ricardo Carapeto Avenue and the Rivillas stream. Constructed in the late 18th century, it served to defend the Puerta del Pilar and was connected by a covered road to the Fort of La Picuriña. The area between this ravelin and the rest of the fortifications could be inundated; therefore, during the siege of 1812, a dam was built downstream of the Rivillas stream to raise its water level by several meters. The primary role of the ravelin was to protect the zone between the Bastion of San Pedro and the Bastion of La Trinidad. The ravelin features a nearly equilateral triangular floor plan, with the base oriented towards the bastioned enclosure and the apex facing outward. The base was left unprotected to prevent it from being used as a defensive position by attackers if captured. This design also allowed for the retreat of defending forces into the city if the ravelin fell to the enemy. The height of the ravelin was intentionally lower than that of the city's defensive walls, to avoid providing a vantage point for attackers. It included a covered embankment and parapet. In the early 21st century, the ravelin underwent numerous modifications, although many of its original features have been preserved. The area nearest to the Rivillas stream has been developed into a park, allowing some of the ravelin's original elements to be visible. However, the opposite area is now obscured by modern buildings, which have largely concealed the ravelin.

Ravelin of the Auditorium

The ravelin of the Auditorium, named for its proximity to the Ricardo Carapeto Municipal Auditorium, is situated between the bastions of San José and San Vicente. Its primary defensive role was to protect the curtain wall connecting these two bastions. The ravelin features a low, triangular plan, with the point of the triangle directed outward, towards potential attacking forces. This design aimed to channel and divide enemy forces, thereby enhancing the defense of the adjacent bastions. The bastion of San Vicente has a

postern A postern is a secondary door or gate in a fortification such as a city wall or castle curtain wall. Posterns were often placed in concealed locations, allowing inconspicuous entrance and exit. In the event of a siege, a postern could act as a s ...

on its left flank, protected by an

orillon An orillon, also known as an orillion, is an architectural element of a military fortification. The ear-shaped projection of masonry provided defense for guns and soldiers at the flank of a bastion. However, an orillon could also shield a city ga ...

, as in other bastions already mentioned. This postern facilitated communication between the ravelin and the interior of the city, and it remains extant, providing a connection between the upper part of the bastion of San Vicente and the area of the ravelin. The nearby Ricardo Carapeto Municipal Auditorium, which gives the ravelin its popular name, is situated adjacent to this fortification.

Ravelin of the Fort of San Cristóbal

The ravelin situated within the Fort of San Cristóbal has a triangular layout, with one vertex directed outward, specifically towards the northwest. This orientation was designed to face potential attacks from the Portuguese army, which approached from that direction.

Complex of tunnels and subway tunnels of the bastioned system

During the construction of the semi-bastion of San Antonio, which was part of the bastioned defensive wall system, and the closure of the Alpendiz Gate, a series of tunnels and subterranean chambers were constructed in that area in the 17th century. These structures, known as the "''Subterráneos de Calatrava''" (Calatrava's Subterraneans), were utilized for housing troops and storing military supplies, benefiting from their robust walls and bomb-proof vaults.

Moats

In the bastioned enclosure of Badajoz, moats encircled the entire perimeter as well as external fortifications such as forts and ravelins. In certain instances, the moats were lined with masonry, creating a

counterscarp A scarp and a counterscarp are the inner and outer sides, respectively, of a ditch or moat used in fortifications. Attackers (if they have not bridged the ditch) must descend the counterscarp and ascend the scarp. In permanent fortifications, the ...

that was integrated with the defensive wall. At specific locations, such as around the Bastion of La Trinidad and the ravelin of San Roque, the moats could be flooded to enhance their defensive capacity. Today, moats are still visible around nearly all preserved sections of the defensive wall in Badajoz. However, the

counterscarp A scarp and a counterscarp are the inner and outer sides, respectively, of a ditch or moat used in fortifications. Attackers (if they have not bridged the ditch) must descend the counterscarp and ascend the scarp. In permanent fortifications, the ...

is preserved only around the bastions of San Pedro and Santa María, as well as in the hornwork, the fort of San Cristóbal, and the ravelins of San Roque and Auditorio.

The riflemen's galleries

An embrasured gallery for riflemen is a defensive gallery located inside a bastion, typically positioned on its flanks. This gallery features small arrowslits and is divided into cells by transverse partitions, allowing soldiers to fire and cover the moat. The gallery includes thick partition walls separating every three riflemen's posts, ensuring that an artillery hit in one area would not compromise adjacent areas. In the bastioned enclosure of Badajoz, riflemen's galleries were constructed in the late 18th century based on designs by the engineer Pedro Ruiz de Olano. Today, all but one of these galleries have been preserved.

Covered roads, traverses, parade grounds, and foothills

The

covertway In military architecture, a covertway or covered way (, ) is a path on top of the counterscarp of a fortification. It is protected by an embankment which is made up by the crest of the glacis. It is able to give the fort's garrison a position be ...

way bordered all the moats and provided communication between the city and the forts and outer ravelins. Its primary function was to facilitate the movement of troops while shielding them from enemy fire and to enable them to fire from within the covered way while protected by the parapet. The covered ways were concealed behind a series of

foothills Foothills or piedmont are geography, geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range, higher hill range or an highland, upland area. They are a transition zone between plains and low terrain, relief hill ...

. Squares of arms, which served as open spaces for troop assembly and maneuver, were present in several bastions, in the vicinity of the ravelin of San Roque, the Auditorium, and in the hornwork of the Head of the Bridge. Traverses, together with stakes, were used to protect the parade grounds. In Badajoz, traverses were located at the ends of parade grounds, in the hornwork of the Head of the Bridge, and along the covered road extending from the bridge of La Trinidad to the Merida Gate. Today, most of the covered ways have disappeared, although remnants can still be seen in several locations: from the bridge of La Trinidad to the Merida Gate, in the fort of San Cristóbal, in the hornwork of the Palmas Bridge, around the ravelin of San Roque, in front of the bastion of San Vicente, in the ravelin of the Auditorium, and around the moat encircling the Bastion of Santa María. The

foothills Foothills or piedmont are geography, geographically defined as gradual increases in elevation at the base of a mountain range, higher hill range or an highland, upland area. They are a transition zone between plains and low terrain, relief hill ...

that were located in front of nearly all the bastions have been removed, as these relatively flat areas have been repurposed for modern city construction.

Mines, countermines, and listening wells

To prevent the effects of mining, counter-mines were constructed by digging subterranean galleries from within the fortifications, which were then equipped with powder magazines. In 1811, during the French occupation of Badajoz, the initial actions included the excavation of counter-mines between the Bastions of Santiago and San Vicente. Evidence suggests that several counter-mines were built in Badajoz, with one possible entrance located in the moat of the ravelin of Trinidad or San Roque. Additionally, a listening well has been identified in the fortifications of Badajoz, situated at an angle flanking the Bastion of La Trinidad. This structure consists of a passageway that descends from the chemin de ronde to the entrance of a chamber used as a listening well. It featured steps attached to the wall for access to the lower levels and has been tentatively dated to the 1770s. It is also possible that some small storehouses or gunpowder magazines may have served as listening wells at various times.

The longest walled enclosure in Spain and the largest citadel in Europe and the world

Studies carried out by historians and associations, such as the Civic Association City of Badajoz, have concluded that

Badajoz Badajoz is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portugal, Portuguese Portugal–Spain border, border, on the left bank of the river ...

has the longest walled enclosure of Spain, with a length of 6541 meters of defensive wall compared to 5000 meters of

Pamplona Pamplona (; ), historically also known as Pampeluna in English, is the capital city of the Navarre, Chartered Community of Navarre, in Spain. Lying at near above sea level, the city (and the wider Cuenca de Pamplona) is located on the flood pl ...

, 3400 meters of

Segovia Segovia ( , , ) is a city in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It is the capital and most populated municipality of the Province of Segovia. Segovia is located in the Meseta central, Inner Pl ...

, 2500 meters of Avila, 2200 meters of

Lugo Lugo (, ) is a city in northwestern Spain in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Galicia (Spain), Galicia. It is the capital of the Lugo (province), province of Lugo. The municipality had a population of 100,060 in 2024, ...

and 2000 meters of

Melilla la Vieja Melilla la Vieja ("Old Melilla") is a large fortress which stands immediately to the north of the port in Melilla, one of Spain's Plazas de soberanía on the north African coast. Built during the 16th and 17th centuries, much of the fortress has ...

in

Melilla Melilla (, ; ) is an autonomous city of Spain on the North African coast. It lies on the eastern side of the Cape Three Forks, bordering Morocco and facing the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of . It was part of the Province of Málaga un ...

; being the second largest in the

peninsula A peninsula is a landform that extends from a mainland and is only connected to land on one side. Peninsulas exist on each continent. The largest peninsula in the world is the Arabian Peninsula. Etymology The word ''peninsula'' derives , . T ...

after the fortified complex of

Elvas Elvas (), officially the City of Elvas (), is a Portuguese municipality, former episcopal city and frontier fortress of easternmost central Portugal, located in the district of Portalegre in Alentejo. It is situated about east of Lisbon, and ab ...

(which is considered the largest fortified complex in the world). In the same way, it can be stated that the Arab citadel of Badajoz is not only the largest in Spain, but also the largest in Europe and the largest in the world of its kind and time (8 hectares and more than 1300 meters of preserved defensive wall canvas); although its perimeter and area were even much larger with the so-called "Old Fence" (about 6000 meters of defensive wall and more than 50 hectares), of which important vestiges are still preserved, and which make it the largest of those built by the Arabs in the past.

Nearby buildings

*

Alcazaba of Badajoz The Alcazaba of Badajoz is an ancient Moors, Moorish citadel in Badajoz, Extremadura, western Spain. The alcazaba as it now appears was built by the Almohads in the 12th century, although it probably existed from the 9th century, when Badajoz wa ...

and Espantaperros Tower * Plaza Alta, Badajoz and Jewish Quarter of Badajoz * La Galera Gardens and Mudéjar Houses of Badajoz * Palmas Bridge * Cantillana Bridge * Royal Bridge * López de Ayala Theater * Historic churches in Badajoz * Mosque-cathedral of Badajoz * Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist of Badajoz

Other nearby walled enclosures

* Elvas bastioned enclosure * Olivenza bastioned enclosure * Campo Maior * Alburquerque

References

Bibliography

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External links

{{Commons category, Wall and bastions in Badajoz
Fortifications of Badajoz, in Turismo de Badajoz, from YouTube channel.
(in Spanish)
Documentary: Bastioned fortifications of Badajoz (Subtitled ENG), in Turismo de Badajoz, from YouTube channel.
(in Spanish)
Badajoz, the largest walled city in Spain, in Asociación Cívica Ciudad de Badajoz, from YouTube channel.
(in Spanish)
Route of the Fortifications, in Tourism of Badajoz.
(in Spanish)
Route of the Alcazaba, in Tourism of Badajoz.
(in Spanish) * Abaluartada Wall, in Turismo de Badajoz. (in Spanish) * Fort of San Cristobal, in Badajoz Tourism. (in Spanish) * Palm Bridge Hornabeque, in Tourism of Badajoz. (in Spanish)
Route of Churches and Convents, in Tourism of Badajoz.
(in Spanish) * Route of Squares and Singular Buildings, in Tourism of Badajoz. (in Spanish) * Fortifications of Badajoz, in Badajoz City Hall. (in Spanish) * The largest Alcazaba in Europe is in Badajoz, on the YouTube channel of 48HorasMagazine (Promotional video of Fitur 2020 by the City of Badajoz). (in Spanish) * Badajoz City Council at Fitur 2020, official presentation of the largest Alcazaba in Europe and the most extensive system of fortifications in Spain. (in Spanish) * Bird's eye view of the Alcazaba of Badajoz, on Nois78's YouTube channel. (in Spanish) Buildings and structures in the Province of Badajoz Bien de Interés Cultural landmarks in the Province of Badajoz 17th-century architecture in Spain

Background

History

The onset of defenses

Elements

Bastions

Semi-bastion of San Antonio

Bastion of San Pedro

Bastion of Trinidad

Bastion of Santa Maria

Bastion of San Roque

Bastion of San Juan

Bastion of Santiago

Bastion of San José

Bastion of San Vicente

Semi-bastion of Palmas Gate

Gates

Merida Gate

Gate of La Trinidad

Pilar Gate

Palmas Gate

Pajaritos Gate

San Vicente Gate

Pelambres Gate

New Gate

Forts

Fort of San Cristóbal

Fort of the Prince or the Picuriña

Fort of Pardaleras

Fort of Las Cuestas

Hornwork of the Head of the Palmas Bridge

Minor forts

Ravelines

Ravelin of San Roque

Ravelin of the Auditorium

Ravelin of the Fort of San Cristóbal

Complex of tunnels and subway tunnels of the bastioned system

Moats

The riflemen's galleries

Covered roads, traverses, parade grounds, and foothills

Mines, countermines, and listening wells

The longest walled enclosure in Spain and the largest citadel in Europe and the world

Nearby buildings

Other nearby walled enclosures

See also

References

Bibliography

External links