DK Travel : Andalucía and Costa del Sol : Cádiz

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.

Top 10 Sights

1. Barrio del Pópulo

1. Barrio del Pópulo

The Barrio del Pópulo is the medieval heart of the city, which still retains its three 13th-century gates. The main entrance of what’s left of the 18th-century city wall, the Puerta de Tierra , marks the boundary between the old city and modern-day Cádiz.

Barrio del Pópulo
2. Plaza San Juan de Dios

2. Plaza San Juan de Dios

On 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.
3. Catedral Nueva

3. Catedral Nueva

The “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.
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.
5. Plaza de las Flores

5. Plaza de las Flores

This 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.
6. Torre Tavira

6. Torre Tavira

The highest tower in the city offers great views from its 46 m (150 ft) height.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Practical Information

El Faro, Cádiz is the place to go for first-class seafood. You must book up to a year ahead for accommodation during Carnaval. Torre Tavira: C/Marqués del Real Tesoro 10; 956 21 29 10; Open mid-Jun–mid-Sep: 10am– 8pm daily; mid-Sep–mid-Jun 10am–6pm daily; Adm €3.50 Hospital de Mujeres: C/Hospital de Mujeres; 956 22 36 47; Open 10am–1:30pm Mon–Sat; Adm €0.80 Museo de las Cortes de Cádiz: C/Santa Inés 9; 956 22 17 88; Open 9am–1pm, 4–7pm Mon–Fri, 9am–1pm Sat–Sun; Free Museo de Cádiz: Plaza Mina; 956 21 22 81; Open 2:30–8pm Tue, 9am–8pm Wed–Sat, 9:30am–2:30pm Sun; Adm €1.50