25 Jul Cadiz
Monday 8 am on 24th October 2016, we arrived in Cadiz, Spain aboard Voyage to Antiquity’s ship MV Aegean Odyssey.
This half day excursion was to see the old town of Cadiz (apparently pronounced Cadith). We entered via the Plaza de San Juan de Dios and walked towards the Old Town Hall.
Plaza de San Juan de Dios
Old Town Hall
Cadiz was founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. It has been invaded by all of the usual suspects such as, Carthaginians, Visigoths, the Romans (who built an impressive city, parts of which are still in existence) and besieged by the English on a few occasions.
Over the years it was one of Europe’s most important ports, with trading links to America. Christopher Columbus sailed from Cádiz on his second and fourth voyages. And it is still an important harbour for the Spanish Navy.
Our first stop in the old city was the Cathedral Museum (Museo Catedralisio De Cadiz)
Leaving the Museum on our way to the Cathedral
The main Cathedral Entrance
Notice the fine netting installed above the altar. Unfortunately the ornamentation on the ceilings have started crumble so nets have been installed to protect people from falling “plaster”.
Then it was down to the Crypt
Old Cadiz is charaterised by narrow street opening into large and small plazas.
Walking into Plaza De Las Flores
The Central Market Place, about 1 minute walk from Plaza De Las Flores
Approximately 8 minutes walk away is San Antonio Church
San Antonio Church, originally built during 1669
Plaza San Antonio
Plaza San Antonio was considered to be the main square of Cadiz in the 19th century. The Spanish Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed here.
The Plaza de España is a large square close to the port and includes the Monument to the Constitution of 1812.
Monument to the Constitution of 1812, in the Plaza de Espana
Plaza de Espana was created to be a grand, new city square, which would mark the 100th anniversary of the constitution of 1812 and provide a setting for a large memorial.
To build the Plaza a portion of the old city wall had to be demolished. The work started in 1912 and was completed in 1929.
From Plaza de Espana we made our way back to the ship, MV Aegean Odyssey, at around 1.30 pm for the voyage to Casablanca, Morocco.
Of course, there is always far more to see and know about a city as important as Cadiz than one can cover during a half day tour.
Feel free to make a comment below plus ask any questions about Cadiz or our experience there.
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