Walls & fortifications, Cadiz

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Beautifully designed star shaped castle built jutting out into the water to protect this section of the city. You can go into the castle and enter the corner turrets and imagine yourself a soldier stationed there to keep a lookout for invaders. You can see the size in the second picture where Zohara is standing inside one of them. The view of the ocean and seawall areas are also great from the walls.

These little lookouts are dotted around the fortifications in Cadiz. They are one of the most famous and distinctive features of Cadiz.

Starting in the West of the old town in San Carlos you can see the first example which was used to protect the entrance of the port. It was built in 1784.

The Baluarte of the Candelaria was also built to protect the port and can be found in front of Iglesia del Carmen (Church). It was built in 1672.

The Baluarte of the Soledad o de La Bomba was also built in 1672 which can be found in Parque Genovés between that of Candelaria and Bonete.

Bonete can be found where Hotel Atlantico now is and was built in 1572.

The Baluartes of San Pedro and San Paulo now belong to the walls of the Caleta beach. They played a vital role in Fighting off the Duke of Essex when the English fleet attacked Cadiz in 1556.

Moving to the North of the old town, three Baluartes can be found which date back to 1672. The Baluarte Orejón is located in the gateway of Playa Caleta, Mártires to the south of the beach between Duque de Nájera and El Campo del Sur. Last but not least you can find Capuchinos situated by the Convent of Capuchinos.

Beside the Puerta Tierra gateway you can find the Baluartes of San Roque and Santa Elena, both were built in 1594.

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Santa Catalina fortress was built on a rocky outcrop that reaches out to sea. La Caleta beach is on one side, protecting it to the northwest. Built in the 17th century, it has an Italian-style star-shaped floor-plan, with two defined frontages. It was initially intended to defend the northern side of La Caleta beach and served later as a military prison. Nowadays, it is used for cultural events and features regular exhibitions as well as concerts. The interior consists of several small pavilions and quarters

Tours are organised free of charge daily from 10.30am to 6pm.

Further information: Tourist Office, 956 203 191.

Free admission

Castle placed in the north end of the city.
The visit is with previous invitation in cualqueira of the offices of tourism that exists in the city
The invitations of end very soon for what is suitable to be moonday in the first hour to gather them.

On entering the City and not having a clue where we were going as we drove down this causeway that seemed to go on forever. All of a sudden we were there and driving through the city walls/gates. I think these walls were built in thr 17th century and now the traffic flows through them. Originally though the arches that you drive through were not there, these were made solely for modern day traffic. They were built to separate the old and new parts of Cadiz.

This gateway is known at the Arco de la Rosa and it was built in the 13th century. It is part of the ancient walls that protected the city and was commissioned by Alfonso X the Wise. This gateway along with the Los Blancos gateway are all that is left of what was Alfonso's castle.

Cadiz Walls, where the old town began.

You can see some fortified areas, and their entrances where the old part began, the new part has been called Puerta Tierra.

This is the part around the old town, that protect the city from the pirates....


Una vez pasamos la muralla dejamos atr?s Puerta Tierra. la parte antigua de C?diz cuyas murallas defensivas la defend?an de los piratas principalmente.

Lets enjoy the way in direction to the Plaza de España, follow the walk until the wall make you turn right and you will be there.

Around the city seawalls there are numerous Bastions or fortesses, built for the citys military defence. The photo shows the Castillo de Santa Catalina. It is presently in the process of being renovated but is still open to the public. They old buildings have been strengthened and new footpaths and courtyards have been put in. It also holds a very interesting museum, showing artifacts and scenes from Cadizs long and varied history. Entrance is free and I highly recomment you to visit.

The old parts of the city of Cadiz are mostly surrounded by walls, they are on quite a large scale and served the purpose of both the citys military defence and protection from the sea.

Its worth walking around parts of it, in many areas you will see these small Garitas, places were sentries would have stood with protection from the elements.

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We visited the fort and they have done an amazing job of retoring, and cleaning. It was nearly empty when we were there, early in the morning. The views of the sea were breathtaking.