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Door & Bridge of Palmas - Badajoz

Door of Palms (Puerta de Palmas)

The Door of Palms is a monumental door of an old wall that surrounded Badajoz in the past, it is located beside the Bridge of Palms. The Bridge of the Palms is to the east of the door while Plaza Reyes Catolicos to the west. Locally, it is known as Puerta de Palmas and it was built in 1551. In the beginning, this gate was known as the New or Bridge Gate and it was the main gate to enter the city. It also served as a Triumph Arch in honour of Philip II.

In the past, this gate was used as a chapel (Our Lady of Los Angeles) and then as a military prison. This gate was connected with the city walls till 1905 and 1906, when two paths were opened for the pedestrians.

Facade of the Door of Palms in Badajoz
Facade of the Door of Palms in Badajoz
This photo shows the entrance of Bishop Ramon Perez Rodriguez into Badajoz in 1922 from the railway station
Looking at the back of the door, facing bridge
Looking at the back of the door, facing bridge
Upper section of the Puerta de Palmas
Upper section of the Puerta de Palmas
Main arch of the door - door of Palmas and Bridge Badajoz
Details above the entrance arch of the door
A side view of the gate of Plamas Badajoz
A side view of the gate of Plamas Badajoz
Area around the Door of Palms Badajoz
Area around the Door of Palms Badajoz
A photo of the Plaza Reyes Catolicos (the Catholic Kings Plaza) beside the gate
A photo of the Plaza Reyes Catolicos (the Catholic Kings Plaza) beside the gate
A sign on the street shows the name of Plaza Reyes Catolicos
A sign on the street shows the name of Plaza Reyes Catolicos

Bridge of Palms (Puente de Palmas)

The Puente de Palmas (Bridge of Palms), an impressive 582m bridge, was built in 1596. The Bridge of Palms is also known as Puento Bobo, it is the oldest bridge in Badajoz. A bridge existed here in the 15th century but it was completely destroyed in 1545. Again, in 1603 floods caused a massive damage to the structure and it lost its 16 spans out of 24. The bridge was built again in 1833 and few changes were made in the 21st century.

To the opposite side of the Palms Door lies the Puente de Palmas (Bridge of Palms
To the opposite side of the Palms Door lies the Puente de Palmas (Bridge of Palms
This impressive looking bridge was built in the 16th century
A bridge existed here before the construction of the current one
A bridge existed here before the construction of the current one
Flooding caused damage to this structure in the past - door and gate of Palms Badajoz
Flooding caused damage to this structure in the past - door and gate of Palms Badajoz
Puerta de Palmas can be seen at the end of the Bridge of Palms
Puerta de Palmas can be seen at the end of the Bridge of Palms
Safety railings of the Bridge of Palms
Puente de la Universidad seen from the Puente de Palmas
Puente de la Universidad seen from the Puente de Palmas
The University Bridge was built in 1960 over the River Guadiana in Badajoz
The waters of the Guadiana River flowing gently under the bridge
The waters of the Guadiana River flowing gently under the bridge
Eastern bank of the River Guadiana in Badajoz
Eastern bank of the River Guadiana in Badajoz

River Guadiana

Under this famous bridge, the waters of the Guadiana River offer a lifeline to a variety of birds, fish, mammals and amphibians. The Romans called this river Flumen Anas ( the River of Ducks) and the Arabs called it Wadi Ana. The source of River Guadiana lies in Castilla-La Mancha and it flows into Gulf of Cadiz (Spain). The river is 818 km long, of which 578 km are within Spanish territory. Further 140 km are within Portugal, while 100 km are shared between the two nations.

Trees on the western bank of River Guadiana, this section of the bank is located between the Door of Palms and the river
Trees on the western bank of River Guadiana, this section of the bank is located between the Door of Palms and the river
Greenery on the banks of the Guadiana River
Greenery on the banks of the Guadiana River
A small small leafy island in the river
Waters of the River Guadiana with the vegetation growing around it
Some of the water birds are enjoying themselves among the green vegetation
Some of the water birds are enjoying themselves among the green vegetation
Looking toward the Puente Autonomia this bridge was built in 1990 and it is located upstream of the Palms Bridge
Looking toward the Puente Autonomia this bridge was built in 1990 and it is located upstream of the Palms Bridge
Roads are built on the both banks of the river - in the distance, Alcazaba of Badajoz can be seen
Walking on the western bank of the river
A panoramic view of the River Guadiana and its bridges, seen from the alcazaba
River bifurcation, seen from the ramparts of alcazaba

Protection of Wild Animals and Birds

There are many dams built over the river to control the water levels. Dams effect the wildlife, to balance this, Portugal has a nature reserve named Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo Antonio Marsh Natural Reserve. In Spain, nature reserve covers around 5160 acres of land. The river itself forms few small leafy island in the middle. Currently about 82 percent of the river basin lies in Spain and around 17 percent in Portugal.

Ducks enjoying a cozy morning at the River Guadiana
Portugal has a nature reserve to protect the wildlife of this river
Portugal has a nature reserve to protect the wildlife of this river
In Spain, this reserve is extended to few thousand kilometers
In Spain, this reserve is extended to few thousand kilometers
Humans are effecting the habitat of these aquatic birds
Humans are effecting the habitat of these aquatic birds
Slowly but surely things has started to change to protect the animals
Slowly but surely things has started to change to protect the animals
Birds seem to be at home and enjoying the river waters
Birds seem to be at home and enjoying the river waters
Sheep and goats are grazing with the River Guadiana flowing next to them
Breathtaking views of the river and its bridges
Breathtaking views of the river and its bridges