Cadiz juts out into the sea on a narrow
Peninsular condensing the city into a maze of charming meandering streets opening
up into small Plazas and gardens.
Over the Centuries it had been colonised
by the Phoenician in 1100bc who named it Gadir, the Cathaginians ran things for
a while, next the Visigoths and Moors, then in 206BC the Romans moved in and much
later the Earl of Essex plunder the city in 1596 and Francis Drake managed to
gain control using it as a stepping stone to trade in the New World. It’s been
fought over, argued over and exchanged hands by invading colonises on numerous
occasions.
As each civilization came and went
their culture created an architectural legacy that can found in Cadiz today. The
golden cupola of the cathedral that dominates the sky line has a Moorish look
and feel to it, the remains of the 18th Century City walls a
reminder that the Romans were here and there are there are numerous examples of
Baroque architecture such as the churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe Neri.
With centuries of this heady mix of colonizing
societies and because it not a big city you will find Cadiz a warm welcoming
city. The twisting meandering maze of streets lined with white washed buildings
are intriguing as they are picturesque and as you wander through Cadiz’s old
town the buzz of the street life and cafés mixes enticingly with the smell of
freshly cooked fish wafting through the warm sea air you will be drawn into
this delightful historical seafaring city.