Badajoz Hostels - Hostels in Spain Badajoz

It is the capital of the Spanish province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, is situated close to the Portuguese border, on both banks of the river Guadina, and the Madrid Lisbon railway. Badajoz is the biggest city in Extremadura. To its population (around 160000) we have to add the Portugues city of Elvas( around 40000). Both cities want to create an international agglomeration. Owing to its position the city enjoys 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. It was founded by the Galician Muslim Ibn Marwan around 875 and after 1022 it became the capital of a small Moorish kingdom Taifa de Badajoz, and, though temporarily held by the Portuguese in 1168, it retained its independence until 1229; when it was captured by Alfonso IX of Leon.

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 Spanish Succesion. During the Independence War Badajoz was unsuccessfully attacked by the French in 1808 and 1809 (also significant is to highlight that the city was closely aligned with the French due to the fact that Manuel de Godoy, born in Badajoz, was for the French forces); but on March 10, 1811 the Spanish commander, JosE Imaz, was bribed into surrendering to a 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.

A military and republican uprising took location in August 1883, but completely failed.During the Spanish Civi War, Badajoz was defending the Republic but was then taken by the Nationalists in the Battle of Badajoz. A number of Republican prisoners were executed in the bullring called the Matanza de Badajoz, as the Franco repression was really extreme in this area.