Badajoz (formerly Badajos),
the capital of the Spanish province of Badajoz
in the autonomous community of Extremadura,
is situated close to the Portuguese frontier,
on the left bank of the river Guadiana,
and the Madrid-Lisbon railway. The population
in 1990 was 126,781; in 2002 it was 136,851.
Badajoz is the see of a bishop. It occupies
a slight eminence, crowned by the ruins
of a Moorish castle, and overlooking the
Guadiana. A strong wall and bastions, with
a broad moat and outworks, and forts on
the surrounding heights, give the city an
appearance of great strength. |
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The river, which flows between the castle-hill
and the powerfully armed fort of San Cristobal,
is crossed by a magnificent granite bridge, originally
built in 1460, repaired in 1597 and rebuilt in
1833. The whole aspect of Badajoz recalls its
stormy history; even the cathedral, built in 1238,
resembles a fortress, with massive embattled walls.
History
Owing to its position the city enjoys a considerable
transit trade with Portugal; its other industries
include the manufacture of linen, woollen and
leather goods, and of pottery.
It is not mentioned by any Roman historian, and
first rose to importance under Moorish rule. In
1031 it became the capital of a small Moorish
kingdom (Emirate of Badajoz), and, though temporarily
held by the Portuguese in 1168, it retained its
independence until 1229; when it was captured
by Alfonso IX of Castile and León.
As a frontier fortress it underwent many sieges.
It was beleaguered by the Portuguese in 1660,
and in 1705 by the Allies in the War of the Spanish
Succession. During the Peninsular War Badajoz
was unsuccessfully attacked by the French in 1808
and 1809; but on March 10, 1811, the Spanish commander,
José Imaz, was bribed into surrendering
to the French force under Marshal Soult. A British
army, commanded by Marshal Beresford, endeavoured
to retake it, and on May 16, 1811 defeated a relieving
force at Albuera, but the siege was abandoned
in June. |
