Cádiz, Andalusia, Spain and Canary IslandsCADIZ
A lazy start to the day
As it is cloudy we slowly started out our day, relaxing coffee and breakfast and then decided that we go to Cadiz… hoping for the best with the weather.
Parking garage in Cadiz
Ok, so driving there was not that complicated as we have google map, Gine decided on where we park and it was a parking garage – guess now it is welcome to Europe. It was not the most amazing parking in there – even we had a tiny car. The going out was a bit more complicated: as we ended up in a construction area – so after a view tries we found our way out: and that we are sure to find the proper entrance Paul made a big X on the outside… (and guess what: once we saw the big X on the way back – we new we are back)
In the oldest city of Europe: Cadiz
- At least it claimed to be the odlest city in Europe: they said it was founded by Hercules – then the Phoenician had a town here called GArdi in 1100 BC
- It is nearly completely surrounded by water – even in 1587 Sir Francis Drake came here and raided the port
- In 1812 it was even briefly Spains capital
Castillo de Santa Catalina
And then our “town hike” started: we started along the sea walk “Baluarte del Bonete” with nice cloudy ocean views and once in a while a glimpse down on the waves and rocks. Until we came to the Castillo, as it is for free we went in and walk around the starshaped fortress. As always up on the wall first and then we walked around so we could enjoy the nice views on the ocean – the shorelines and the next castle including the beach.
It should be beach time on our vacation: so we did came by the Playa de la Caleta: what Gine thought is super cool is the old Moorish style bathing station.
Paseo to Castillo San Sebastion:
Our next point was to walk the long paseo out to the Castillo san Sebastion: this was a cool walkway with ocean views on both sides and an even better view back on the town. It was super cool. From here we went further along the shoreline always towards the huge cathedral in front of us.
Coffee or Cathedral – what would it be???
Paul said if it costs I don’t go in I will have coffee: he found a cool spot right on the plaza across the church and did some people watching and relaxing as where Gine went inside the Cathedral:
- Also Catedral Nueva because it was built over an older church: they built from 1722-1838: 116 years
- Some called it Catedral the Americas: as the money came from the trade with the Americas
- It has one of Spains largest domes of yellow tiles: if the sun shines it glitters like gold
Going inside you it is a huge church: and again with a lot of little side chapels dedicated to different saints on the outsides: some are quite amazing. What is really impessive is the Nave with a center rotunda in it.
Downstairs was the crypt from 1730, it is round and with the lights and different areas, it is an interesting place, especially since the remains of the roman martyr Saint Victoria are there (the face is covered by a wax mask) – ok now the question is if we really believe that her body is here:
- The legend says that Victoria and her sister had arranged marriages to noble non-christian roman men. they resisted matrony and got imprisoned by on his estate. As they didn’t renounce her faith they got handed back to the authorities. It is said that in 250 AD Victoria was stabbed through her heart. Her murderers were immediately struck with lebrosy and died six days later. Her sister Anatolia got locked up with a poisonous snake, but the snake refused to bite her, when a soldiers was send in to kill her, the snake attacked him instead. But Anatolia saved him, the soldiers then converted to Christianity.
And then came the tower: as where normally are stairs – this time you walk a ramp uphill 133 ft up in a circle… it is kind of cool: but then you are rewarded with an amazing view – and as we had the walkie-talkies: we could talk with each other and wave.
The little roads in the old town
Ok now it’s time to head back: small tiny narrow alleys are the way to go: we stopped at a supermarket and pharmacy, we came by the Plaza de Flores (and yes they do sell flowers here), ok once you are on a road where traffic is allowed: you really don’t want to drive here at it is super narrow: one car wide and all is one way (you better hope you never have to go around a corner) – we walked on the backside of the Theatre: but by that time we already walked close to 8km through the town and went on: as we walked along we also saw Dragon Trees.
Driving in circles:
Ok we missed one turn: guess what you are never allowed to turn left – so how can you ever turn, Paul did a not allowed U-turn and then we were back on track. What is really cool so right before the bridge: is a huge traffic circle and you can actually drive straight through the circle too… and let’s not forget that you have an excellent view on the huge container harbour.
Time on the beach??
So should we after coffee go back to the beach to read a bit, I mean it is not raining --- good try. We decided it was too cool out there and we went back into our nice warm apartment.
2025-05-22