Cadiz stands on a
peninsula jutting out into a bay, and is almost entirely
surrounded by water. Cadiz was founded in 1100 BC. In the early
19th century Cadiz became the bastion of Spain's anti-monarchist,
liberal movement, as a result of which the country's first
Constitution was declared here in 1812.
The old and
beautiful city looks quite Moorish in appearance and is
intriguing with narrow cobbled streets opening onto small
squares. The golden cupola of the cathedral looms high above
long white houses and the whole place has a slightly dilapidated
air. It just takes an hour to walk around the headlands where
you can visit the entire old town and pass through some lovely
parks with sweeping views of the bay.
Unlike most other
ports of its size it seems immediately relaxed and easy going,
not at all threatening, even at night. Perhaps this is due to
its reassuring shape and size, the presence of the sea making it
impossible to get lost for more than a few blocks. It also owes
much to the town's tradition of liberalism and tolerance which
was maintained all through the years of Franco's dictatorship,
despite this being one of the first cities to fall to his forces
and was the port through which the Republican armies launched
their invasion.
