When the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid was in Portugal, it went by the largest army garrison in the country with a Leopard 2 and other military vehicles on display. When it crossed into Spain, racers passed what looks like the Parthenon. No, the Spaniards didn’t recently annex Athens.

Stage 3 on Friday was a loop around Badajoz in Extremadura. Compared to the rain and mud that everyone was subjected to in Portugal, they were treated to palm trees and lush green grass (though the skies were still cloudy).

One of the stops was the municipality of Don Benito, which boasts themes of Greco-Roman culture and Western history in general. From the nearby Medellín castle to the open-air amphitheater, as well as museums like the Museo Etnográfico and Museo del Automóvil, Don Benito fully embraces the past to where it almost feels like a travesty that the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid doesn’t have a Classic category.

One particular landmark stands out behind the palm trees, and was more than visible as drivers breezed along on the nearby dirt road: the Partenón de Don Benito.

From a distance, it certainly looks like the iconic Parthenon in Greece. However, rather than marble, the 34 columns and Doric order are made from concrete irrigation tubes previously used by the Confederación Hidrografica del Guadiana, the agency responsible for controlling the water networks in southwestern Spain. For this reason, it is actually a monument to recycling.

The Partenón is part of a park called El Palmeral, which was part of the Stage 3 route. The monument and surrounding area are often used for hiking and shows, the latter including Greek-styled theater performances to fit the setting.

Extremadura, which also hosts the Baja TT Dehesa Extremadura, is home to various Greek and Roman architecture. Heading north from Don Benito, one can come across the second-century ruins at Bohonal de Ibor.

Stage 3 was won by Lucas Moraes (FIA) and Daniel Sanders (FIM) before the race returned to Portugal by way of Loulé on Saturday.

Featured image credit: Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool