The day we spent in Cadiz was a rainy one. As we'd only planned on exploring the town on foot, we grabbed our rain gear and went out exploring anyway.
Cadiz is thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe. It was founded by the Phoenicians in 1,100 BC with archaeological remains that date back 3,100 years. Over the centuries it been ruled by various cultures such as Romans, Visigoths, and Moors, and it became a very important port and commercial center.
What was once an Island, is now connected to the mainland by a narrow peninsula and several roads.
Over the centuries, Cadiz has seen a lot of damage through raids, explosions, tsunamis, and earthquakes. As such, the ancient structures you would expect to find in a city like this just aren't there. There is still a lot of historical structures that are very old, just not ones that are 2,000 years or more. (In 1980 the remains of an ancient Roman Theatre was discovered and has only been partially excavated. Likely built in the 1 century BC it was abandoned in the 4th century and then subsequentially a fortress was built on top of it's ruins.)
We set out on foot, with umbrella in hand, to do our walking tour. For some reason everything was closed that day, except the shops and restaurants, so we were unable to go into anything. We had to explore from the outside ... in the rain.
Old City Fortification Walls
We quickly found the beginning of the old city wall. They are now turned into a boardwalk and you can walk around the old city along the walls.
Alameda Apodaca
Walking along the old wall, we came across this beautiful little park with beautiful tile walkways and a giant Ficus tree that is over 100 years old.
Castillo San Sebastian and Castillo Santa Catalina
There are two castles that sit on each end of La Caleta Beach. The Castle of San Sebastián, located on a small island at the end of the beach, dates back to the 18th century and was originally built to defend the city from pirates.
The Castle of Santa Catalina, situated at the opposite end of the beach, was constructed in the 16th century and played a key role in protecting Cádiz from naval attacks. Neither castle was open for us to explore.
Avenida Campo del Sur
Avenida Campo del Sur, an avenue that runs along the southern section of the peninsula, is a picturesque stretch. Walking along the boardwalk here was very picturesque whether looking out towards the Atlantic, or looking towards the town with the beautiful skyline.
Catedral de Cadiz
The Cádiz Cathedral, also known as the Catedral Nueva, took over a century to complete, with construction spanning from 1722 to 1838. As a result, it showcases a fascinating blend of architectural styles, combining elements of Baroque and Neoclassical design. As with everything, it was closed so we were unable to see the interior.
Plaza de San Juan de Dios and Cadiz Town Hall
Plaza de San Juan de Dios, the town square of Cádiz, was once the heart of the city and its marketplace. It also served as a parade ground and venue for bullfights. Today, the square continues to host public events and gatherings. It is surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, and restaurants.
One of the historical buildings dominating the square is the Town Hall which dates back to the 19th century.
I feel like we just scratched the surface with our visit here, partially due to the weather, and partially due to everything being closed that day. When we make it back to this region again, this will be on our list to explore further.
Even in the rain, Cadiz looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I feel like there was so much more to see.
ReplyDelete