Charming Cadiz at the Andalucia
The city of CADIZ is one of Spain’s oldest settlements, being founded by the Phoenicians in 100 BC. It is the nation’s major port, having risen to fame on as the Spanish-American trading increased when Sevilla was silted up in 18th century.
That was when Cadiz port had autonomy over the silver and gold trading with its profits going to the building of the gold colored dome cathedral. This island city is located on a peninsula with majestic open squares, charming turreted houses and sailors’ walkways.
The Look and Feel of Cadiz
This city has a very soothing look caused by the sea breeze on its soft limestone, creating a serene and mysterious atmosphere. It is more relaxed and non-threatening compared to other ports of similar size; day or night. It has a compact shape that none can get lost in since the sea surrounds it with fortifications and alamedas as striking landscapes.
The tone of this town is one of tolerance and liberalism, which was established since the time of Franco’s dictatorship. This led to the acceptance of Cadiz’s large gay population as evident in its lively carnivals.
Cadiz exudes a soft ambience even in its cafés, backstreets, and blind alleys.
Sights of Cadiz
An interesting place to visit in Cadiz is the Museo de Bellas Artes which is located at Plaza de Mina 5. It has a splendid display of local archaeological items as well as paintings of saints by Francisco Zurbarán that came from a Carthusian monastery in Jerez. These paintings depict the power of the Spanish saints from their intensity of colors and shadows.
Zurbarian has spent a fair amount of his life painting the monks whom he met in his travels around the monasteries. The High Baroque displays a big, albeit crumbling, 18th century structure: the Catedral Nueva, which is still very imposing as a cathedral cum museum.
Its stone structure is well proportioned with much effort having been put into its restoration. In its crypt lays the famed composer, Manuel de Falla, whose astounding Andalucía-inspired masterpieces such as ‘Nights in the Gardens of Spain’.
The Santa Cruz cathedral is an ancient mammoth structure with a unique interior, where votive candles have been slotted along the wall liberally.Cadiz boasts of a Roman theatre that was excavated recently.
The tallest building here is an 18th century mansion with great rooftop views of the sea. Moreover, there are two churches which house beautiful paintings. Another 18th century structure, Santa Cueva chapel is oval-shape with three intrinsic Eucharistic themed frescoes done by artist Goya.