Badajoz town hall

Badajoz Town Hall (Ayuntamiento de Badajoz, also known as the Palacio Municipal) is the seat of the city council in Badajoz, the capital of Extremadura, sitting on the Guadiana river close to the Portuguese border. The building visitors see today, however, is not where the city's government started out — the story of Badajoz's municipal seat runs through another, equally distinctive corner of the old town.

Where did today's town hall come from?

The council's original home stood on Plaza Alta, in a building raised at the end of the 15th or the start of the 16th century. The earliest surviving record of these "Casas Consistoriales" dates to 1547, and an inscription placed at the time records that the works were ordered by the city of Badajoz under corregidor Nuño de la Cueva, in the year 1548. That building on Plaza Alta served the city council for roughly two centuries, surviving repeated repairs, until it was finally abandoned in 1749 due to its poor condition. After a period in temporary quarters, the council settled in 1799 into buildings known as the Casas Pintadas, near what is now Campo de San Juan. It is in that same area that the current town hall stands, in a building dating from 1852.

What happened to the historic building on Plaza Alta?

Even though the city government left the 16th-century Casas Consistoriales more than two hundred years ago, the building itself survived and has since been restored, reclaiming its place in the old town's skyline. Pairing a visit to Plaza Alta with a walk through central Badajoz is worthwhile in its own right — the square, lined with distinctive colored facades, remains one of the city's most recognizable spots, even though the administration itself moved on long ago.

How do you get to the town hall?

The building sits in the central part of Badajoz, in the area historically linked to Campo de San Juan, close to the old town and the city's fortifications. Walking through the centre, it is easy to combine a stop at the town hall with nearby landmarks, including the defensive walls, the cathedral, and Plaza Alta, where the story of the city's municipal government began.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A stroll through central Badajoz naturally links the town hall with the old town. Plan time to walk through Plaza Alta and see the historic, no-longer-used Casas Consistoriales building, and to take in surviving stretches of the old city fortifications, which for centuries made Badajoz a strategically important border city.

When is the best time to visit?

Extremadura has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, so exploring the town centre and the old town on foot is generally more comfortable in spring and autumn, when temperatures are milder than during the peak of summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the current town hall the same building where the council first met? No. The council's original seat stood on Plaza Alta from the 16th century, but it was abandoned in 1749. After a period in temporary locations, the council moved in 1799 to the Campo de San Juan area, where today's building, dating from 1852, now stands.

Does the historic building on Plaza Alta still exist? Yes, the former Casas Consistoriales on Plaza Alta still stands and has been restored, though it no longer houses the city administration.

What does the 1548 inscription refer to? It commemorates the construction of the council's original seat on Plaza Alta, commissioned by the city of Badajoz under corregidor Nuño de la Cueva.

Is it worth combining the town hall with other Badajoz landmarks? Yes, the town hall lies close to the historic centre, making it easy to see Plaza Alta and remnants of the old city fortifications in the same walk.