Cádiz – Europe’s Oldest City!

Cádiz  - wow what a lovely old city!  Mel and I are not big city lovers,  but this city is amazing.  It is full of narrow streets, that twist and turn and something different and unexpected around every corner.  It dates back to 1100 BC, and that’s its claim to fame as being Europe’s oldest city. Under the Romans it was known as Gades and was notable as the city where Julius Caesar held his first public office.  Unfortunately, in 1596 it was almost completely destroyed by an Anglo-Dutch raid and the old part of the present city is more 17^th/18^th century than Moorish arichitecture and has remained so since then.

The Aire is just a car park next to the port (N36°32’15” W6°17’24”), but for €3 a night (including toilets) and just 5 minutes from the old town, it's ideal for us.  So, straight to the Tourist Information Office, map retrieved, Mel appointed official tour operator and we’re off!  There are 4 coloured routes you can follow: (1) medieval district (discovering the city’s past); (2) castles, city walls and bastion; (3) houses and watchtowers (discovering the golden age of Cadiz in the 17^th/18^th century); and route (4) the footprints of those behind 1812 constitution.  But in true ‘Mel style’ we end up going ‘off-piste’ and amalgamating all 4 into one!

Plaza de España and Monument to the Cadiz 1812

Cathedral - dates back to 1722 and one of Spain's largest.

The Domed-Cathedral from the waterfront

One of the many narrow cobbled streets

Arco de La Rosa

Hospital de Mujeres (early 17th century)

Puerta de Tierra – marks the boundary between the old city and modern-day Cádiz.

Puerta de Tierra

Old City Walled Arches

Museum of Cádiz houses incredible archaeological exhibits dating back to 5BC (Phoenician marble sarcophaguses).  The museum is on 3 floors and and to Mel's delight is free to get in!  The museum overlooks Plaza, once the religious establishment's vegetable garden. 

So, four hours later, (and many miles walked!) it was great to enjoy a nice beer in Plaza San Juan de Dios, which lined with palm trees and facing the port - a lovely setting and perfect end to the day.

Sally x