Cádiz
Categories: Coastal cities | Cádiz province | Municipalities in Spain | Ports and harbours of Spain | Phoenician colonies
- This article deals with the Spanish city. For other uses, see Cadiz (disambiguation).
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| City nickname: "Tacita de plata ("little silver cup")" | |||||
| Location | |||||
| Image:Cadiz, Spain location.png Location within Spain | |||||
| Government | |||||
| Province | Cádiz | ||||
| Mayor | Teófila Martínez | ||||
| Physical characteristics | |||||
| Area Land Water | 12.30 km² 12.30 km² 0.00 km² | ||||
| Population Total (2004) Density | 629,054 (metropolitan area) 133,242 (city proper) 10.832 persons/km² | ||||
| Latitude | 36°30' N | ||||
| Longitude | 6°20' W | ||||
| Time zone Summer (DST) | CET (UTC+1) CEST (UTC+2) | ||||
| Official website: http://www.cadizayto.es/ | |||||
Cádiz is a coastal city in southwestern Spain in the region of Andalusia. It is the capital of the province of Cádiz. As of the 2004 census the population is 133,242, and the population of the entire urban area was estimated to be 629,054. The city rises on a peninsula protruding into the Bay of Cádiz, which is a small part of the Gulf of Cádiz.
Cádiz is from a typical Andalusian character. The old part of town is shaped by the large individuality of the quarters (span.: Barrios) 'El Populo', 'La Viña' or 'Santa Maria'. These beautiful quarters build a strong contrast to the new city part.
In addition the townscape is formed by numerous park plants, old giant trees supposedly brought here by Columbus and many small places.
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History
The city was originally founded as Gadir (Phoenician גדר "walled city") by the Phoenicians, who used it in their trade with Tartessos. The Greeks knew it as Gadira or Gadeira. Traditionally, its date of establishment is about 1100 BCE, although as of 2004 no archaeological finds have been found that date back further than the 9th century BCE. One resolution of this discrepancy has been to assume that it was, in the initial phase, merely a small trading post. It is regarded as the most ancient city still standing in western Europe. According to Greek legend, Gadir was founded by Heracles after killing Geryon. Indeed, one of its notable features during this era was the temple dedicated to the Phoenician god Melqart. Some historians think that the columns of this temple gave origin to the myth of the Columns of Hercules (Melqart was associated by the Greeks with Heracles, or Hercules).
In about 500 BCE the city fell under the sway of Carthage. In 206, the city fell to Roman forces under Scipio Africanus. Under the Romans it was renamed Gades. The city flourished under Roman rule, but with the decline of the Roman Empire, Gades' commercial importance began to fade.
Under Moorish rule, the city was called Qādis (Arabic قادس), and the modern Spanish name Cádiz was derived from this form.
Sir Francis Drake destroyed a Spanish fleet in the harbor of Cádiz in April 1587. In the Anglo-Spanish War Admiral Robert Blake blockaded Cádiz from 1655 and 1657, during which one of his captains, Richard Stayner destroyed most of the Spanish treasure fleet. A galleon of treasure was captured, and the overall loss to Spain was estimated at £2,000,000.
In the 18th century, the sand bars of river Guadalquivir forced the Spanish government to transfer the port monopolizing trade with Spanish America from Seville to Cádiz.
Cádiz was the seat of the liberal Cortes fighting Joseph I of Spain in the Peninsula war; the Spanish Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed there. Cádiz is also famous by its carnival with Chirigotas (amateur satirical choruses) competing for a prize.
Monuments
Cádiz, being the oldest city in western Europe (and probably the oldest existing city in the western world), is home to many beautiful and historic monuments. Also, its peculiar location (situated at the very end of a narrow peninsula, see Google Maps link at the end of the page) brings an added attraction to this city.
Cathedral
This baroque style cathedral was built over a period of 116 years. Over this period, the cathedral experienced many changes in style. The cathedral began in baroque style, proceeded to the rococo style, and was finished in neoclassic style. Its chapels have many paintings and relics from the Old Cathedral and the other monasteries. The cathedral was completed by 1260, but it was burned in 1596. The reconstruction, which was not started until 1776, was supervised by the architect Vicente Arcero who had also built the Granada Cathedral. This architect left the project and was succeeded by several other architects.
Gran Teatro Falla
The theatre was built between 1884 and 1905 over the remains of the previous Gran Teatro. The architect was Adolfo Morales de los Rios, and the direction was carried out by Juan Cabrera Latorre. The outside is covered by red bricks and is of mudejar style.
Ayuntamiento
Overlooking La Plaza de San Juan Dios, this is the town hall of Cádiz's Old City. The structure was built in two stages - one in 1799, and the second in 1861.
Torre Tavira
In the 18th century, Cádiz had more than 160 towers to watch over its waters; they were used by the many local merchants (and often formed part of their houses), who could then be informed of the ships that arrived and left. Today, Torre Tavira stands as the tallest remaining watchtower. With its "Cámara Oscura" (Dark Chamber) visitors are led into a dark room that offers reflected panoramic views of the Old City.
Puertas de Tierra
This great wall came from a primitive wall of the 6th century. After many modifications and improvements, this great wall was built with severals layers of walls, but nowadays they have almost completely disappeared, with only one left remaining.
Calle Ancha
Extending out of La Plaza de San Antonio, this street's bars and cafes were formely filled with debates of the 1812 Cortes. Today, the street is one of the main commercial centers of the Old City; clothing stores, bookstores, bars, cafes, and other places of business and restaurants are abundant.
Pylons of Cádiz
The Pylons of Cadiz are electricity pylons of unusual design crossing the Bay of Cádiz. The pylons are 158 metres high and designed for two circuits. The pylons were designed by A.M. Toscano. The very unconventional construction consists of a frustum steel framework construction with a narrow grid width and one crossbar on the top for the conductors.
Oratorio de Santa Cruz
Located on Calle Rosario, this small church is divided into two parts. The lower floor contains a very spartan crucifixion scene, while the upper level consists of a lavish room adorned by original works by Goya.
El Castillo de Santa Catalina and El Castillo de San Sebastián
Fortresses built on either side of La Playa de la Caleta.
Beaches
Cádiz, a city on a peninsula, is home to some of the country's most beautiful beaches.
La Playa de la Caleta
Caleta is the best-loved beach of Cádiz; it has always been in the Carnival songs, due to its unequalled beauty and its proximity to the Barrio de la Viña. It is the old city beach, and it is situated between two castles, San Sebastian castle and Santa Catalina castle. It is around four hundred meters long and thirty meters wide at low tide.
La Playa de Victoria
It is the most visited beach by tourists and the native people of Cádiz. It is about three kilometres long, and it has an average width of fifty metres of sand. The moderate swell and the absence of rocks allow the entire family to enjoy bathing at this beach. It is separated from the city by an avenue; on the other side of the avenue there are many of shops and resturants that form the newer part of Cádiz. The beach provides many activities, including sport areas, places where you can rent beach umbrellas, sun loungers, volleyball, and jetskis.
Playa Santa María
Santa María is the smallest and least known beach in Cádiz. Situated between La Playa de Victoria and La Playa de la Caleta, it features excellent views of the old district of Cádiz.
External links
ca:Cadisde:Cádiz es:Cádiz eo:Kadizo fr:Cadix it:Cádice la:Gades nl:Cádiz (stad) pl:Kadyks pt:Cádiz ro:Cádiz fi:Cádiz sv:Cádiz