Cadiz

Cadiz, Spain

This page is dedicated to Cadiz, the capital of the province of the same name.

Before we begin, here is an excerpt from the Hachette World Guides – Spain © Librairie Hachette, 1961.

Cadiz, a fortified town of about 114,000 inhabitants, capital of the province of the same name, seat of a bishopric; it occupies a rock surrounded on all sides by the sea with the exception of the narrow isthmus joining it to San Fernando. Cadiz is one of the most delightful towns in Andalusia, as much for its elegant houses and its clean, well kept, streets as for its exceptional mild climate. The average winter temperature is around 12º C. (53º F) and in summer seldom rises higher than 30º C. (86º F.); it rarely rains more than 30 days in the year.

The town is surrounded by almost 3 miles of 17^th century walls (partly demolished on the port side), the foot of which is washed by the sea, except at the head of the little bay of La Caleta. It has two gates, the Land Gate on the isthmus and the Caleta Gate. On their pediments are the arms of the city, Hercules overcoming two lions.

The well laid out, rather narrow streets are most unusual with their white houses with miradors, terraces and belvederes. Cadiz has been also named the tacita de plate (the little silver cup). Rain water is carefully collected in tanks, and drinking water is brought in from Puerto de Santa Maria. There are many attractive squares planted with trees (palm-trees) and flowers. But the most remarkable thing which Cadiz has to offer is the promenade round the ramparts, the Alameda and Genovés Park.

Present

The short history presented above will be interesting when compared with the more modern history obtained from Microsoft's Encarta Encyclopedia which can be seen in the next section of this page.

Today Cadiz is reached from the north by crossing a bridge on National road N-IV, which spans the Bay of Caleta, and from the east by National road N-340 through San Fernando and on t0 Gibraltar, as well as by sea from the Canary Islands and beyond.

Cadiz is a favorite of all who visit it. The many narrow winding streets of the old part of the city reveals surprises at nearly ever turn. It is an especially interesting city to visit at any time of year, but during the Easter (Semana Santa) when the various religious fraternities pass through these streets carrying their very large and heavy elaborately decorated Pasos (similar to a float in a parade, but carried aloft by many men, usually hired for this purpose). It seems impossible for them to navigate the twist and sharp angles of the old city streets, but somehow they always manage to do so.

History

Cádiz (Spain) (ancient Gadir; later Gades), city and seaport in southern Spain, capital of Cádiz Province, on the Gulf of Cádiz (an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean), near Gibraltar. It lies at the tip of a narrow isthmus that forms the western boundary of Cádiz Bay. The large harbor is divided into an outer bay and a nearly landlocked inner harbor.

Shipping, shipbuilding, and fishing are the principal industries, and a Spanish military base is located in the city. A large part of Spain's trade with the countries of South and North America moves through Cádiz. Exports consist largely of sherry wine, cork, olives, figs, salted fish, and salt. Machinery, iron, coal, timber, coffee, cereals, and other foodstuffs are the major imports. Tourism is important to the local economy.

Cádiz is a picturesque city, with white buildings in the Moorish architectural style, and with beautiful promenades. It has a cathedral dating from the middle of the 13th century. In the Church of Santa Catalina is the unfinished painting Marriage of Saint Catherine, by the Spanish artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, who fell and died while working on the painting. The medical school of the University of Seville, a navigation school, and a theological school are here. Valuable Roman and Carthaginian antiquities are on exhibit in the Cádiz Archaeological Museum.

The ancient Phoenicians founded Cádiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe, by the 8th century BC.. By 700 to 600 bc it was a flourishing market for amber and tin. The Carthaginians captured the city about 501 bc and lost it to the Romans at the end (bc206 bc) of the Second Punic War (see Punic Wars). The city was destroyed by the Visigoths in the 5th century ad. In 711 it was taken by the Moors, who rebuilt it. Alfonso X, king of Castile and Léon, captured the city in 1262.

After the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, Spanish fleets carrying treasure from the Americas used Cádiz as a base, and it became one of the wealthiest cities of Europe. After the other maritime powers of Europe began to challenge Spanish naval supremacy, Cádiz was subjected to frequent attacks. An English naval force under the navigator Sir Francis Drake raided the port in 1587, destroying many vessels, and in 1596 the city was plundered by an English fleet commanded by Robert Devereux, earl of Essex.

During the next 100 years British naval forces attacked Cádiz on three occasions. It was blockaded by a British fleet for nearly 15 months in 1797 and 1798. During the Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815), Cádiz was besieged by French naval forces from February 1810 to August 1812. Following the loss of the Spanish colonies in the Americas in the 19th century the prosperity of the city declined. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) Cádiz was used as a base by the Nationalist forces under General Francisco Franco. Population (1998 estimate) 143,129.

Many of the photos in the photo gallery below, without captions, were taken by Hans who is introduced to our website viewers on his Hans' Art Work page. We are indebted to Hans for allowing us to present his photos to you, thanks you Hans. We will add photo captions to these pictures at a later date. The newest photos are of the Fort of Santa Catalina and were contributed by Terry M. as were the photos of the Tall Ships Regatta that follow.