CACERES  , the

capital of the Spanish province of Caceres, about 20 M . S. of the river Tagus, on the Caceres-Merida railway, and on a branch line which meets the more northerly of the two Madrid-Lisbon railways at Arroyo, 10 m . W . Pop . (1900) 16,933 . Caceres occupies a conspicuous eminence on a low ridge running east and west . At the highest point rises the lofty towerof San Mateo, a fine Gothic church, which overlooks the old town, with its ancient palaces and massive walls, gateways and towers . Many of the palaces, notably those of the provincial legislature, the dukes of Abrantes, and the counts of la Torre, are good examples of medieval domestic architecture . The monastery and college of the Jesuits, formerly one of the finest in Spain, has been secularized and converted into a hospital . In the modern town, built on lower ground beyond the walls, are the law courts, town-hall, schools and the palace of the bishops of C6ria (pop . 3124), a town on the river Alagon . The industries of Caceres include the manufacture of cork and leather goods, pottery and cloth .

There is also a large

trade in grain, oil, live-stock and phosphates from the neighbouring mines . The name of Caceres is probably an adaptation of Los Alcazares, from the Moorish Alcazar, a tower or castle; but it is frequently connected with the neighbouring Castra Caecilia and Castra Servilia, two Roman camps on the Merida-Salamanca road . The town is of Roman origin and probably stands on the site of Norba Caesarina . Several Roman inscriptions, statues and other remains have been discovered .