Extremadura Spain, located in the western portion of the country, is one of the overlooked gems that offer visitors a chance to catch a glimpse at the glorious history and cultural heritage that have led to the creation of the current splendor and allure of Spain. Among the most popular destinations in this region is Caceres Spain, where travelers will find a host of palaces, cathedrals, ancient walls, museums, and monuments. Additionally, those who travel to Extremadura can experience a number of local festivals hosted throughout the year.

At one time part of an important province of the ancient Roman Empire, Extremadura Spain is now the home of an immense number of Roman ruins in Spain, especially in Merida, the capital city of the region. As the Romans expanded their kingdom westward, the territory containing some of what is now Portugal and western Spain, including Extremadura, with its strategic location, was of such importance to the Empire that a great deal of structures were erected throughout the various provinces.

Today, these relics of the Roman Empire are among the most popular attractions in the region. In addition to being a historically coveted part of the country, Extremadura has offered up a number of contributions from which the world has seen history in the making, namely, several conquistadors and settlers that have surmounted and colonized the New World, such as Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, Pedro de Valdivia, and Vasco Nunez de Balboa, leading to numerous cities established in the Americas to be named after the cities found in Extremadura Spain.

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Originally founded by the Romans, Caceres Spain is the capital city of the province of the same name within Extremadura. Throughout this Spanish province, there are a number of cities and rural areas offering a handful of historical sites and natural wonders. The capital has abundant historic structures representing several cultures, including Roman, Moorish, Gothic, and Italian Renaissance, causing Caceres Spain to be acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Within the city, there are a number of museums filled with a wealth of historical and cultural artifacts and information. There are also cathedrals and churches ranging through different periods and styles, ancient walls and towers from various civilizations, and grand houses and palaces, including Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo, where Ferdinand and Isabella, the famed monarchs of Spain, took up residence. Besides the grand architecture and historical structures to be seen within the province and its various cities, travel to Extremadura offers a variety of natural preserves and monuments in other parts of the province.

While traipsing about Extremadura, visitors may want to explore the culture of this region from a current perspective by experiencing one or several of the many festivals that take place in the area, of which those in Caceres are the most popular and abundant. Of the many festivals in Spain, Carnival is the largest and widespread, touching every corner of the country; usually in February, leading up to Ash Wednesday, every city turns out its citizens in celebration of the upcoming season of solemnity. Carnival is certainly not something to be missed wherever your Spanish vacation takes you.

From the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire to the beauty of the natural landscape, those who travel to Extremadura are impressed with lasting and charming memories of their vacation in one of the most historically important countries in Europe. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants, and the area is easy to reach on the Spanish train system if you’re flying into Madrid, for instance.