Cadiz: sights and reviews of tourists

The distant Spain attracts travelers with amazing traditions, merry holidays, wondrous nature and fantastically beautiful monuments. In a sunny country, a variety of architectural attractions are collected, conveying the atmosphere and mood of different eras. Most of the tourists have a charming Spain associated with Madrid and Barcelona, but there is one wonderful city, which is worth paying attention to.

A small but extremely interesting city

Not the most famous among the guests of the country Cádiz, whose sights reflect its history, is often perceived as an ordinary port, and its cultural values, unfortunately, do not attract the attention of the guests of Spain. But those who come here on vacation, never remain disappointed. "Silver spoon", as the locals call the locals because of the large mines located here, it's easy to get around on foot in one day, but this does not mean that there are few interesting corners.

Excursion to the history

The small town has a very rich history. Curiously, on the map of the world, Cadiz was not designated, because it was considered to be the most realm of the world. Mentioned in the legends of ancient Greece, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe, because the settlement was founded in 1110 BC by the Phoenicians, who learned about the deposits of silver on the peninsula. Due to the advantageous geographical location for the right to own the city fought the Romans, and after the fall of a powerful empire, often changing hosts destroyed ancient and medieval buildings.

In the XIII century, Christians won the Cadiz from the Arabs, who ruled for about six centuries, after which it becomes a major trading point, attracting the attention of robbers and pirates.

From there Columbus ships set off for the expedition , for two years the townspeople held a siege, repulsing the attacks of Napoleon's troops, and after the proclamation of Spain's first constitution in the city chapel of Cadiz becomes the political center of the country.

A resort that can be bypassed in one day

Modern Cádiz, whose sights have made the city look unique, is the capital of the province of the same name (Provincia de Cadiz). Divided into two parts, old and new, it strikes with an amazing harmony of architectural structures, and a mixture of Arab and European styles gives it an unspeakable charm.

Tourists who have visited the Spanish fairy tale know that it is possible to bypass all its interesting places in less than a day, and numerous excursions to the remarkable objects of the city are organized very rationally, and in just a few hours the guests will get acquainted with historical monuments.

Puerta de Tierra

The first thing that foreign travelers pay attention to is the Earth Gate, which defended local residents several centuries ago, and now through them one can go to the historical part of the city where everything breathes history. In the stone wall, fortified on either side by bastions, was the only entrance to Cadiz. Sights, photos of which convey the power and grandeur of the multi-faceted pearl of the Spanish Atlantic, appeared in the 16th century. They are decorated with the Castilian coat of arms and on both sides are framed with snow-white columns with figures of saints - patrons of the provincial capital.

Above the gate is a gloomy tower with loopholes, which two centuries ago was the point of telegraph communication, and, as historians believe, it saved the gate from destruction.

The main architectural monument

The next point of the route passes through the largest in the country cathedral Santa Cruz. For more than 100 years, work was under way to erect a religious structure, and several generations of architects were replaced before a cultural monument in the form of a Latin cross appeared in the 18th century, whose dome was visible from afar. Not a single guest of the city passes by the main sight of Cádiz, for it is a cathedral made in several architectural styles and having differences in the used finishing materials, which gives the snow-white building a special flavor. Clear eclecticism makes its appearance very memorable.

The facade of the ensemble with a temple, chapels and crypt, where famous people of the city are buried, is rather modest, but thanks to the skillful carving on the stone and the unusual silhouette it is easy to recognize against the background of the other constructions of the resort. The interior decoration will admire the works of famous sculptors and artists, and a rich collection of gold and silver ornaments makes the treasure of the cathedral truly unique.

old cathedral

Nearby is the old cathedral, whose age exceeds 500 years. Once it was destroyed and rebuilt anew, but its historical appearance was not preserved. Cádiz, whose sights were destroyed by pirates, often attacked the city, in the XVII century, conducted an active trade with India, which allowed for the profit to restore the ancient architectural monument, though with a new design. Now it serves as a parish church

Castillo-Fortalesa de Santa Catalina

When it comes to the most popular sights of Cadiz, one can not ignore the complex of defensive structures that appeared in the 16th century after the city repulsed the sudden attack of pirates. The fortress built on the shore with the beautiful name of Santa Catalina did not resemble an impregnable bastion, since not all the works were completed in the planned volume, and the structure did not look very powerful and formidable.

Anyone can enter the fortress, and from its height tourists enjoy a delightful panorama of the Atlantic Ocean. All coming to the strengthening of the evening, will be rewarded with the spectacle of the most incredible sunset in the world.

Castillo de San Sebastian

Another fortress, the construction of which began quite late - in the XVIII century, can boast of the ancient Cádiz. The sights of the city reflect his military past, and it is this that attracts travelers who are thus acquainted with the history of a hospitable resort.

The fortress of St. Sebastian, connected by a dam with the city, was erected for about thirty years by the Spaniards, who in every possible way resisted the English pirates. From a massive ocean structure washed by the ocean, consisting of stone blocks, it was possible to land on dry land along the bulk road. Inside the fort there is the only metal lighthouse built in the 20th century. It is equipped with a modern alarm system for vessels calling in Cadiz. Sights, reviews of which only confirm their importance for the city, are incredibly popular, because they are silent witnesses of eventful history.

Beach holidays

It is worth noting that the ancient city is, above all, a luxurious resort of Andalusia with beautifully equipped sandy beaches stretching for several kilometers. No wonder the locals consider them to be the main pride of the Spanish pearl. They are not very popular, which is very pleasant to the guests, and captivating pictures of the sunset fascinate with gentle reflections playing in the water.

Victoria, Santa Maria del Mar, Cortadour, La Caleta are the most popular places for recreation of locals and tourists hurrying for positive emotions in sunny Cadiz. Sightseeing, the description of which can be found in all the city guides, are considered one of the cleanest in Europe.

Colorful extravaganza

On the last Sunday of February begins a bright and cheerful holiday, long gone beyond the local. Thousands of tourists rush to recharge the positive energy of the carnival, which made the world famous cozy resort. The extravaganza of colors, music, happiness in the air, which imbued all participants of the holiday, lasts only ten days, and the city prepares for the most important event for a year.

Carnival, a similar scale with the Venetian, has acquired an unprecedented scale, and a street festival that does not subside even at night, is of great interest not only to tourists, but also to various creative teams who come to show their talents in Cadiz.

Sights (reviews of tourists allowed to highlight the most interesting) miniature town worthy of seeing them with your own eyes. Going to rest in the oldest settlement in Europe, it is worthwhile to learn in advance what to pay your attention to to independently build your route.

What do tourists pay attention to?

Guests who have come here for a few days fall so much in love with the hospitable Cádiz that they decide to stay here for a long time.

Tourists adore viewing platforms, from which the resort appears quite different: only from the height you can see the unique location of the ocean washed by the ocean, located on the peninsula. They pay attention to medieval houses that look gloomy, but inside the guests a pleasant surprise awaits - cozy patios, carefully looked after by the owners. By the way, even contests for the best yards are held, but most tourists do not know anything about it.

The city in which the Middle Ages comes to life is famous for its wonderful cuisine, and snacks of montaditos with various kinds of fillings conquer even the experienced gourmets. On the luxury beaches, worthy of admiration, the tourists leave only rave reviews and regret only that the holiday comes to an end.

The city on the edge of the world will make forget about problems and cares, and the gentle sun, good-natured locals, the color of the Spanish capital of carnival will stay for a long time in the memory of all the guests.