Watchtowers.
by Beach_dog
Many of the buildings have towers, the purpose of which were to afford good views of the ships coming into port. The houses were the homes to the merchants and traders who lived in Cadiz during the busier centuries when it was a great trading port. Many of the merchants had these towers incorporated into their homes so they could watch for the return of their ships.
The small buildings at the tops of the towers are called Garitas, due to their similarity to sentry boxes used by the military. They were there to cover the top of the stairways.
You can only really appreciate the towers from a high vantage point, so I suggest you view them from Torre Tavira or the Cathedral tower.
Monuments in the City of...
by nicoleken
Monuments in the City of Cadiz
Cathedral Nueva
A grandiose structure capped by a dome of golden tiles was described by Richard Ford as 'a stranded wreck on a quicksand.' This 18th Century Baroque cathedral gets few visitors. This is a welcome change after the hordes of visitors in places such as Seville, so you have the cathedral experience, as it should be - in silence. A highlight is the lower floor. If you stand in the middle of the circular basement and make a noise the echo effect it produces is truly wonderful.
An impressive collection of church treasures can be viewed and in the crypt lies the tomb of composer Manuel de Falla, a Cadiz native, whose music is evocative of the magic of Andalucia. The best external view of the cathedral is to walk along the see front behind it so you can observe the golden dome.
Price: 3 euros
Fine Arts and Archaeology Museum
The archaeology museum on the ground floor is worth a look. Some excellent glassware and jewellery are highlights and there is a good collection of amphorae as you'd expect from an historic port.
The Fine Arts museum on the second floor includes a Rubens canvas and the pride of the collection is a set of canvasses by Zurbaran.
On the third floor there is allegedly a wonderful collection of puppets used for biting satirical plays.
Plaza de Mina
Open: Tues and Sun 9.30-2 pm
Price: 1.5 euros
Tel: 956 21 22 81
Oratorio de Santa Cruz
This church is divided into two very distinct parts: the gloomily simplistic oval 18th century chapel with only a crucifixion sculpture; and the contrasting upper floor, elegantly decorated and containing some fine Goya paintings depicting the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the Guest at the Wedding and the Last Supper. An excellent free guide is given upon entry.
Calle Rosario
Price: 1.5 euros
Tel 956 22 22 62
Oratori de San Feligo Neri
Historically this building is important as it is where a group of radicals met in 1812 to produce a blueprint of liberalism espousing the sovereignty of the people of Spain over the throne. However there is nothing of note inside the church. There is an adjoining museum.
Price: 1.5 euros
Iglesia de San Felipe Neri
A place of pilgramage for democracy-loving Spaniards, since it was here that parliament gathered in 1812 to proclaim a liberal constitution and it was here that the Cortes of Cadiz met when the rest of Spain was subjected to the rule of Napoleon's brother, Joseph Bonaparte, more popularly known as Pepe Botella for the love of the bottle. On the main alter is an Immaculate Conception by Murillo, the great Sevillian artist who in 1682 fell to his death from a scaffolding while working on his Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine in the Chapel of Santa Catalina.
C/ Santa Ines.
Tel: 956 21 16 12
Museo Historico Municipal
Boasts a 19th century mural depicting the establishment of the Constitution of 1812. The real showpiece is a fascinating mahogany and ivory model of the city which dates back to 1779 and which is a fascinating duplicate of all the streets and the buildings much as they are today.
C/ Santa Ines.
Tel: 956 22 17 88
Gran Teatro, Manuel de Falla
This theatre is located within a wonderful neo-Mudejar red brick building and has an impressive interior as well. There is an active programme throughout the year, check the tourist office for a schedule of events.
Hospital de Mujeres
This hospital has a brilliant El Greco of St Francis in Ecstasy, depicting the grey-cloaked saint experiencing a mystical vision.
C/ San Francisco
Ayuntamiento
The city town hall overlooks the Plaza San Juan de Dios and was constructed in two stages, the first in 1799, the latter in 1861.
Torre Tavira
This highest and most important of the city's old watchtowers is a fine place to get your bearings and affords a dramatic panorama of the city. Back in the 18th century, Cadiz had no less than 160 towers to watch over its harbours.
C/Marques del Real Tesoro 10.
Calle Ancha
A couple of blocks west of the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri is C/ Ancha, the main street of late 18th and early 19th century Cadiz. The cafes and bars here were the unofficial gathering and debating places for members of the 1812 Cortes.
Barrio de la Viña
by Carmela71
For many years the place to be was “barrio de la Viña” but lately some other areas are investing to get the carnivals groups on their areas, some areas are Plaza de las flores and behind the market (we saw them on the last Sunday on day time and it was not so stressing as at La Viña)
My favourite street at La Viña is La Palma street, even if it gets too busy. Try to get a comfortable spot, and stay there the next 3-4 hours watching the different groups that will pass in front of you.
VAPOR DEL PUERTO
This little...
by SirRichard
VAPOR DEL PUERTO
This little boat will take you to El Puerto de Santa Maria, at the other side of the bay. It's a nice ride of about one hour by the bay, great views and you'll have the chance to visit that little village. Boats live from the 'Estacion Maritima', at the left side ot the harbour, near 'Plaza de la Hispanidad', by the Comes Bus Station.
By Bus
by Redang
Some websites that can help you.
- www.linesur.com (Spanish)
- www.socibus.es (Spanish)
And for bus from/to Sevilla (and other places from Cádiz such as Algeciras amd La Línea:
- www.tgcomes.es
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Nativity Scene (Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain)
Returning from a stroll on Playa de la Puntilla
Banana Trees
Town Hall, Cadiz, Spain
