Cádiz
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Glowing white in the intense southern light, Cádiz inspired the poet Lord Byron to praise its heavenly blue setting, gorgeous women and sensuous lifestyle. Nowadays it is one of Andalucía’s under-visited treasures. According to ancient chronicles, it was founded by the Phoenicians as Gadir (“Fortress”) in 1104 BC, giving it a good claim to being Europe’s oldest city. Under the Romans it became Gades and was notable as the city where Julius Caesar held his first public office. Having been almost completely destroyed by an Anglo-Dutch raid in 1596, the old part of the present city is pure 18th-century and has remained virtually unchanged since then.
The Torre Tavira sports Spain’s first camera obscura, which projects live images of the city onto a large screen.
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1. Barrio del Pópulo
1. Barrio del Pópulo -
2. Plaza San Juan de Dios
2. Plaza San Juan de DiosOn the edge of the Barrio del Pópulo is this palm-fringed plaza , dating from the 16th century. Facing the port, it forms the hub of city life.
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3. Catedral Nueva
3. Catedral NuevaThe “New Cathedral” was begun in 1722. The best view is from the waterfront , where the yellow dome is set off by the pastel house-fronts.
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4. Iglesia de Santa Cruz & Teatro Romano
In the midst of the Barrio del Pópulo is this church dating from 1260 and the ruins of a Roman theatre.
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5. Plaza de las Flores
5. Plaza de las FloresThis bustling market square is also known as the Plaza de Topete – named after the tophet, a type of ancient Phoenician temple, that once stood here.
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6. Torre Tavira
6. Torre TaviraThe highest tower in the city offers great views from its 46 m (150 ft) height.
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7. Hospital de Mujeres
This Baroque former hospital’s main attraction is the chapel’s painting of the Extasis de San Francisco by El Greco.
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8. Museo de las Cortes de Cádiz
Full of civic pride, this museum boasts a huge mural eulogizing Cádiz as the birthplace of liberalism. On 29 March 1812 Spain’s first liberal constitution was conceived here, a document that played a major role in shaping modern European politics.
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9. Oratorio de la Santa Cueva
This elliptical Neo-Classical chapel has an upper church with an elegant dome supported by Ionic columns. Three frescoes by Goya depict miraculous moments from the life of Christ.
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10. Museo de Cádiz
Archaeological finds and Baroque paintings are the museum’s forte. Exhibits include a pair of 5th-century BC Phoenician marble sarcophagi, one male and one female, showing Greek and Egyptian influences; Roman shipwreck finds; and works by Zurbarán, Murillo and others.
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