Page 72 - Recursos Turísticos Verano 2017

Cádiz

he “Tacita del Plata” is considered the ol-
dest city in the Western World. It was
Tfounded (in 1100 B.C.) by the
Phoenicians, a seafaring people who turned Gadir into an
important trading colony where the Carthaginians, the
Romans, the Visigoths and the Muslims would all subse-
quently settle. An open, cosmopolitan city, it sport was cho-
sen by Columbus as the point of departure for his second
voyage to the New World. The city would then become, af-
ter the decline of Seville, the port to The Indies, drawing
the flow of trade with the American Continent. This frantic
commercial activity then brought about an era of economic,
cultural splendour, when Baroque palaces with their charac-
RECURSOS TURÍSTICOS DE LA PROVINCIA DE CÁDIZ
teristic towers offering amazing views were built.

The Cathedral, which can be seen from the sea, and its
golden tiled dome fit perfectly into the Cadiz cityscape with its Vista del Pirulí y la Playa de Santa María del Mar
colonial air. It combines both the Baroque and Neoclassical
styles, and its treasure is amongst the most important in Spain. the fisherman’s district - the Mentidero, Santa María (true
The intense trading activity with The Indies awakened the home of flamenco song) and El Pópulo.
greedy interest of pirates, which led to the city being fortified.
The remains of the original although renovated cross-fire de- The El Pópulo District, which is the oldest in the city, re-
fence system designed by Vauban make up an important part tains the three gates to the original Medieval city: the El
of the heritage of Cadiz. Las Puertas de Tierra, the city gates, Pópulo, De la Rosa and De los Blancos Arches, apart from
retain sections of walls and semi-bastions such as those of San the Roman Theatre and the one-time Cathedral, Santa Cruz
Roque and Santa Elena, on both sides. Church. The emblematic Plaza de San Juan de Dios is the
place to savour the typical “pescaíto frito” fried fish, while
A stroll through the Campo del Sur affords the visitor a listening to Cadiz composer Manuel de Falla’s Amor Brujo
view of the Los Mártires and Capuchinos defence bastions, played by the City Hall Clock. The neighbouring quarter of
by La Caleta, which is guarded by San Sebastián and Santa Santa María is one of districts with most history in the city,
Catalina Castles. Heading towards the boulevard Alameda with stately residences such as the Baroque Casa Lasquetty
Apodaca, the La Candelaria Bastion and the San Carlos and the Royal Jail, an important Neoclassical building.
Walls can also be seen.The Puertas de Tierra Walls clearly Walking up towards the quiet San Francisco Square, we find
divide the new city regained from the sea –built along a gre- La Santa Cueva, The Holy Cave, with Goya paintings inside.
at avenue and along the extensive, landscaped promenade–
and the old. The historic centre of the city has narrow stre- Nearby the Plaza de San Antonio, in the Mentidero
ets and small squares in popular districts such as La Viña – Quarter, which was the nervous centre of the city for many
years, there is the Oratory of San Felipe Neri, a Baroque pla-
ce of worship which has an Inmaculada by the painter
Murillo on the main altar. This was the seat of the Cadiz
Cortes in 1812, where the first Spanish Constitution was
drawn up and nicknamed “la Pepa” thanks to its conception
date (Saint Joseph’s Day).

The Plaza Mina, home to the Museum of Cadiz, is very
well-known, with its famous Phoenician sarcophagi and
works in its Fine Art section which make it one of the most
important picture galleries in the country.

Calle Zorrilla, the tapa-bar street par excellence, leads to
the Alameda Apodaca Gardens the Genovés Park, which of-
fer perfect views of the sea. Continuing to stroll a little fur-
ther round, the visitor comes to Cadiz port, regular stopping-
La Caleta, parada obligada en la visita a Cádiz off point for tourist cruise ships travelling between the
Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
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