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Cadiz is the capital of the province of the
same name in the Spanish region of Andalucia. The city is sited on a
long narrow peninsula in the southwest corner of Spain, surrounded
on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in 1,100 BC, it's
credited with being the oldest continuously inhabited city in the
western world.
Cadiz is still a working port and both the city and wider province
are popular holiday destinations for thousands of Spaniards who
flock here each summer. Foreign students and business travellers
make this a port of call but international tourists have largely
overlooked the many attractions of Cadiz.
Unlike many of Spain's
coastal towns these days, tourism is not the prime source of income
here. Cadiz is mainly a commercial seaport exporting local produce
including sherry, cork, figs, fish and olives and importing
commodities such as coal, iron, timber, coffee and cereals.
But take the time to explore its intriguing ancient streets and
you'll find plenty of fascinating stopping points, not least of
which is the beautiful 18th century cathedral with its golden dome.
The cathedral receives relatively few visitors but its museum houses
a priceless collection of gold, silver and jewels brought over from
the New World and the crypt of the great Cadiz-born composer Manuel
de Falla. |
