Province of Badajoz

Badajoz, in the south of Extremadura, is the largest province in Spain by area. In addition to boasting an impressive cultural legacy from the various civilisations that settled in the area that the province now occupies, Badajoz has a natural environment of fertile red lands perfect for agriculture and crafts. Also, the Cornalvo natural park, full of holm oaks and cork oaks and with a Roman dam still in use, is part of the Pacense nature. The fruitful lands of Badajoz are also home and breeding ground for one of the bases of its gastronomy: the Iberian pig.

Mérida is the capital of the province. This city has the most impressive Roman heritage in Spain. Theatres, bridges, amphitheatres, temples... all from the classical period and in a very good state of conservation.

Badajoz, on the banks of the Guadiana, was founded for strategic purposes. Some of the city's main tourist attractions are its Alcazaba, the cathedral, and the Provincial Archaeological Museum, located in a beautiful palace with an interesting collection of relics found in the province.

Jerez de los Caballeros is another Pacense city of great tourist interest. The most outstanding place in Jerez is the fortress, a relic of the city's Templar past. The Dolmen of the Granja de Torriñuelo is notable here, along with an important collection of religious and civil buildings.

Localities such as Fregenal de la Sierra or Llerena are located in the southern mountains of the province, and both have very interesting monumental heritage: in Fregenal de la Sierra, its bullring stands out, which was an old Arabic alcazaba, and in Llerena it is worth visiting the church of Nuestra Señora de la Granada or the church of Santiago, the latter being the resting place of the last Master of the Order of Santiago.

Feria or Zafra, known as Little Seville, are two other places of tourist interest, in addition to other towns in the province such as Alburquerque, Alange or Olivenza.

Within the Pacense gastronomy we can taste other products besides its renowned sausages and hams, since the province also has its own wine designation of origin.

Within the cultural and leisure agenda of the province of Badajoz we can attend events such as the Jerez de los Caballeros Ham Fair or the Zafra International Livestock Fair, celebrated since the 15th century and now designed for the enjoyment of the little ones. On the other hand, in the provincial capital, the Mérida Classical Theatre Festival, one of the most important in the country, is held.