The History of Extremadura
and where to see it
In this new book I have explored the long and varied history of Extremadura. The idea for the book came gradually over the years as I walked thousands of kilometres around the region and encountered interesting remnants of past civilisations. I went on to study the works of ancient historians, such as Herodotus, Strabo, Polybius, Pliny, Orosius and Jordanes, matching up what they had written about with the actual evidence on the ground.
The work uncovers little-known facts about Extremadura. It has rocks that were formed before any others in Europe and has some of the most ancient cave paintings dating back to over 64,000 years. It is home to the largest concentration of dolmens in any comparable European area and includes the earliest dolmen. The Tartessians were the peninsula’s first real civilisation and Extremadura currently has three — and counting —archaeological sites testifying to their importance. There are sites with exceptional ruins of Celtiberian settlements, some less-well preserved sites and more are being discovered with increasing regularity.
It is said that Extremadura has more Roman ruins than anywhere outside Rome. There is a splendid Roman theatre where ancient Greek and Latin plays are preformed every summer and the experience of attending a play is quite an unforgettable experience. There are also the longest surviving arched bridge built in Roman times and the world’s oldest Roman dam still in use today. Extremadura has one, of only two, Visigoth Churches in Spain. The second largest Moorish cistern on the Iberian peninsula is in Extremadura and others are sited within castles and fortresses of importance dotted all over Extremadura.
The Reconquest saw the construction of innumerable religious buildings over the following centuries. Some display stunning Mudéjar architectural features — a mixture of Christian and Moorish design. Wars delayed progress but they did not damage the historic cities that were awarded World Heritage status at the end of the last century. Finally, history comes up-to-date with the future of the region looking positive and bright.
With every new archaeological discovery and the work of teams of dedicated experts, the list of impressive and important things to see increases every year. This book ‘tells and shows’ like no other history book before because after every chapter is a listing of what and where to see the evidence of the history with GPS points and directions.
The History of Extremadura and where to see it
ISBN: 979-83111816663
English language
404 pages
66 black and white photographs
3 maps
Published 2025 on Amazon
and where to see it
In this new book I have explored the long and varied history of Extremadura. The idea for the book came gradually over the years as I walked thousands of kilometres around the region and encountered interesting remnants of past civilisations. I went on to study the works of ancient historians, such as Herodotus, Strabo, Polybius, Pliny, Orosius and Jordanes, matching up what they had written about with the actual evidence on the ground.
The work uncovers little-known facts about Extremadura. It has rocks that were formed before any others in Europe and has some of the most ancient cave paintings dating back to over 64,000 years. It is home to the largest concentration of dolmens in any comparable European area and includes the earliest dolmen. The Tartessians were the peninsula’s first real civilisation and Extremadura currently has three — and counting —archaeological sites testifying to their importance. There are sites with exceptional ruins of Celtiberian settlements, some less-well preserved sites and more are being discovered with increasing regularity.
It is said that Extremadura has more Roman ruins than anywhere outside Rome. There is a splendid Roman theatre where ancient Greek and Latin plays are preformed every summer and the experience of attending a play is quite an unforgettable experience. There are also the longest surviving arched bridge built in Roman times and the world’s oldest Roman dam still in use today. Extremadura has one, of only two, Visigoth Churches in Spain. The second largest Moorish cistern on the Iberian peninsula is in Extremadura and others are sited within castles and fortresses of importance dotted all over Extremadura.
The Reconquest saw the construction of innumerable religious buildings over the following centuries. Some display stunning Mudéjar architectural features — a mixture of Christian and Moorish design. Wars delayed progress but they did not damage the historic cities that were awarded World Heritage status at the end of the last century. Finally, history comes up-to-date with the future of the region looking positive and bright.
With every new archaeological discovery and the work of teams of dedicated experts, the list of impressive and important things to see increases every year. This book ‘tells and shows’ like no other history book before because after every chapter is a listing of what and where to see the evidence of the history with GPS points and directions.
The History of Extremadura and where to see it
ISBN: 979-83111816663
English language
404 pages
66 black and white photographs
3 maps
Published 2025 on Amazon