Province
& Villages - Cadiz
Cadiz information
Cádiz, three thousand years old
Historians affirm that Cádiz wes found over
three thousand years ago and that it is the oldest
inhabited city in Europe. since then, it has experienced
many changes, with eras of expansion and decline.
A seafaring, trading town, particulary lively and
vigorous, Cadiz surprises and appeals to visitor at
the first straight, narrow streets, towering facades
with fine wrought ironwork and gardens of great botanical
variety by the sea, which surounds and encompasses
the town making it almost an island. Passing through
the Tierra Gateway of the restored remains of the
city walls and crossing the long strip of land which
joins Cádiz to the continent, we come dace
to face with this unique town. The Baroque Cathedral
features bright domes and sumptuous interior, so different
in different in architectural style from the majority
of Spanish Cathedrals. Nearby is the old Santa Cruz
Cathedral. As we walk around the tighly crammed town
centre, visiting churches and museums, we come upon
squares, such as San Juan de Dios, Mina, Constitución,
España, Mentidero, each of which has its own
style and monuments and monuments, all so different
and so attractive as are the different quarters of
the centre from El Pópulo to la Viña.
Formerly known as Gades, Cádiz was for centuries
Spain's main port for ships sailing to and from america.
Later, in 1812, it was the home of Spanish constitutionalism.
The neoclassical Oratory of San Felipe de Neri, where
the historical text was debated, is well worth a visit.
The churches of Cádiz are most often Baroque
or Neo-classical: San Antonio, El Rosario, Santo Domingo,
San Francisco, Santa Catalina, El Carmen, etc., and
the classical style is present in many of its most
significant buildings, such as the Country Council
Building, a palace of enormous proportions, the old
prision Cárcel Real and even the traditional
Tavira Tower.
The museums in a citysorich in history are yet anotherattraction
of the place popularly known as"the little cup
of silver": the Municipal History Museum, and
above all the Archaeological and Fine Arts Museum,
with an excellent art collection, impressive archaeological
exhibitions and an appreciable ethnological section.
In February the Carnival, so highly acclaimed here
and good reason, has its temple, the Gran Teatro Falla,
recently restored and in a curious Neomudéjar
style. At the beginning of spring, the Easter processions
through the narrow streets are a fascinating sight.
And for the summer there are small coves such as La
Caleta, and long beaches all around the city.
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