Cáceres is a living museum where Roman, Moorish, and Renaissance histories collide in stone.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded by Romans in 25 BC, this Spanish city is a UNESCO World Heritage site defined by its ancient walls and iconic storks. Beyond its medieval architecture, the city holds deep secrets, from the Almohad cisterns to palaces built with fortunes brought back from the conquest of Peru.

The Old Town of Cáceres, or Parte Antigua, is a layered architectural tapestry. Its history stretches back to prehistoric times, evidenced by paintings in the Maltravieso caves, but the city as a formal entity began with the Roman foundation in 25 BC. Today, the city is divided into two distinct zones: the intramuros area, enclosed by ancient walls, and the extramuros area, which expanded as the city outgrew its original fortifications. This urban structure was historically organized around four parishes: Santa Maria and San Mateo inside the walls, and Santiago and San Juan outside.

The city is famous for its defensive towers and noble houses. Among the most notable is the Palace of the Storks, which earned its name from the birds nesting atop its structure. Remarkably, it remains the only untruncated tower in the historic site; in 1480, Diego Fernández de Cáceres y Ovando received special permission to build it, exempting him from a royal decree that forced other loyalists to lower their towers. The city's resilience is also reflected in the Palace of the Golfines de Abajo, which hosted the Catholic Monarchs, and the Palace of the Veletas, which sits atop an Almohad fortress and houses a sophisticated cistern featuring Roman columns.

Cáceres also serves as a repository for global history. The Toledo-Moctezuma Palace links the city to the Aztec Empire through the marriage of a descendant of Moctezuma II, while the Francisco de Godoy Palace stands as a testament to the wealth extracted during the conquest of Peru. These structures, alongside the remnants of the old Jewish quarters and the Islamic-era towers, create a unique environment where the past is not merely preserved but integrated into modern life. Whether through the Parador hotel housed in historic palaces or the museums occupying former stables and fortresses, the city continues to honor its complex, multi-layered heritage.

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