Return to Cadiz

Incredibly, it's been over two years since my last visit to Cadiz so in the company of my godson Nick and his girlfriend Claire, it was a pleasure to return to one of my favourite places.

We started our visit at the Cathedral and its lovely surroundings in the Plaza de la Catedral

A short distance away is the Plaza de las Flores with its many sweet scented flower stalls.

Always worth a visit is the fish market with its huge variety of fish, delicious smells and the banter of the stall holders, each trying to out do their neighbours to sell the day's catch.





Tuna.

A very busy and popular market.

Colourful Moray eels from Conil.

Next stop was the "Torre Tavira", the highest watchtower still standing in Cadiz, now an exhibition centre with spectacular 360° views of Cadiz from its roof.

Part of the five euro entrance fee allows entry to the Camera Obscura, an ingenious method of projecting moving realtime images of Cadiz through a mirror and lens on the roof onto a white dish in a darkened room below. No pics allowed I'm afraid.







Nick and Claire.











Fabulous views and well worth a visit.









Looking across to the port area where a cruise ship is berthed.

Apparently, there are 120 of the original 180 watchtowers remaining in Cadiz. They were used by the rich merchants of the 18th century as look out posts for their ships returning with precious cargoes, particularly from the Americas.

Nick and Claire headed off to the beach while I was happy to explore the historic streets.

Although the city is full of antiquity and history, this takes a little believing.

In the Plaza de Mina is the Museo de Cadiz containing archaeological relics and artifacts dating back to the 8th century BC.

There is also an impressive collection of fine and contemporary art.

The Plaza San Antonio and the Iglesia after which the plaza is named.

In 1812, it was one of the places from which the first Spanish Constitution was proclaimed.
The "Gran Teatro Falla", completed in 1909 on the site of the original wooden structure which burnt down in 1881.

The views south and below looking north along the coast.






No matter how many times I visit Cadiz, I'll never tire of it. So much to see and so much history. A fabulous place.