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Spanish Port City of Cadiz
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A Peninsula Rich in History |
The city of Cadiz, Spain is a historical port with thousands of years of history. It is located on a peninsula that protects a large bay making it an ideal spot for ships to come and go.
For many years it had a mighty city wall all the way around for protection from pirates and conquerors, never falling to any enemy. A claim that not many can make.
The docks are located in the heart of the city, walking into town is as easy as walking off a ship. After visiting the Andalusian Horse school and taking in the show there, we decided to take a walk and have our first 'native' experience off the ship.
We left the ship and headed to the tall monument on the right of the port. This is the Monumento a las Cortes. An impressive testament to heroic deeds and people.
From there, we continued westward past Plaza de Arguelles to the boardwalk that now stands where the wall used to. This continues all the way around the peninsula. All along the way are wonderful vistas of the Atlantic, gardens with exotic trees and plants, shops, parks and more.
Past the Inglesia de San Antonio, we found the Parque Genoves. This park is full of statuary, skillfully sculpted trees and shrubs, an amphitheater and plenty of beauty. A walk to this point would suffice any weary traveler. We had a hard time getting past this park and lingered for quite some time before proceeding around the island.
An hour into our walk we arrived at the Castillo Santa Catalina on the south west point of the city. This 17th century building was constructed by Felipe II to defend the northern side of La Caleta beach after the British attack. It is now an exhibition center and concert hall as well as housing a museum. This is also the beach were the Phoenicians buried their treasures thousands of years ago and where thousands of years later, Halle Berry emerged from the sea in the James Bond thriller, "Die Another Day."
The harbor just past the point is very picturesque and the beach beyond is supposed to be one of the best urban beaches in Europe. It was an excellent beach, but having just come from the Caribbean, we were beached out and turned inland on Calle de la Rosa for a more 'native' experience. Cadiz, Spain Travel David Place Stay in Europe Spain and France May and June 2007 Date taken: 2007 07 25 16:05 Wednesday Important Links: Hotel Reservations On-line at Cadiz, Spain |
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