Puerta de Palmas

Twin-towered 16th-century gateway facing the old bridge to Portugal

A monumental gateway flanked by two round crenellated towers, built in 1551 to serve as the main entrance to the city for travellers arriving from Portugal. It faces the Puente de Palmas, a 15th-century stone bridge with 32 arches spanning the Guadiana, which together formed Badajoz's principal Atlantic-facing front. The gateway carries the carved coats of arms of the Habsburg monarchy and the city, framed by Renaissance pilasters.

It has been a triumphal arch, a customs post, and a prison over the centuries, and now stands alone on a traffic island as the city has grown around it. The classic view is from the far end of the bridge, looking back at the gateway with the Alcazaba rising on the hill behind.

things to do sight landmark
A story
Between 1668 and 1893 the gateway served as the city prison — the two round towers, originally built to intimidate Portuguese visitors, were partitioned into cells. The carved escutcheons above the central arch celebrate the conquests of Charles V, who passed through here in 1526 on his way to marry Isabel of Portugal.