Cádiz, three
thousand years old
Historians affirm that Cádiz wes
found over three thousand years ago and
that it is the oldest inhabited city in
Europe. since then, it has experienced many
changes, with eras of expansion and decline.
A seafaring, trading town, particulary lively
and vigorous, Cadiz surprises and appeals
to visitor at the first straight, narrow
streets, towering facades with fine wrought
ironwork and gardens of great botanical
variety by the sea, which surounds and encompasses
the town making it almost an island.
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Passing through the Tierra Gateway of the restored
remains of the city walls and crossing the long
strip of land which joins Cádiz to the
continent, we come dace to face with this unique
town. The Baroque Cathedral features bright domes
and sumptuous interior, so different in different
in architectural style from the majority of Spanish
Cathedrals. Nearby is the old Santa Cruz Cathedral.
As we walk around the tighly crammed town centre,
visiting churches and museums, we come upon squares,
such as San Juan de Dios, Mina, Constitución,
España, Mentidero, each of which has its
own style and monuments and monuments, all so
different and so attractive as are the different
quarters of the centre from El Pópulo to
la Viña.
Formerly known as Gades, Cádiz was for
centuries Spain's main port for ships sailing
to and from america. Later, in 1812, it was the
home of Spanish constitutionalism. The neoclassical
Oratory of San Felipe de Neri, where the historical
text was debated, is well worth a visit. The churches
of Cádiz are most often Baroque or Neo-classical:
San Antonio, El Rosario, Santo Domingo, San Francisco,
Santa Catalina, El Carmen, etc., and the classical
style is present in many of its most significant
buildings, such as the Country Council Building,
a palace of enormous proportions, the old prision
Cárcel Real and even the traditional Tavira
Tower.
The museums in a citysorich in history are yet
anotherattraction of the place popularly known
as"the little cup of silver": the Municipal
History Museum, and above all the Archaeological
and Fine Arts Museum, with an excellent art collection,
impressive archaeological exhibitions and an appreciable
ethnological section.
In February the Carnival, so highly acclaimed
here and good reason, has its temple, the Gran
Teatro Falla, recently restored and in a curious
Neomudéjar style. At the beginning of spring,
the Easter processions through the narrow streets
are a fascinating sight. And for the summer there
are small coves such as La Caleta, and long beaches
all around the city.
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