Cadiz

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CADIZ

Approaching Cadiz on a bright Spring morning, the towers of the
churches and buildings are the first thing you notice. You sail right into the
heart of the city, a city that dates back to the 12th Century BC and is the
oldest continuously inhabited in the Western world.
After two days at sea, it
was nice to get off and stretch our legs. In glorious sunshine, we took a short
walk to the Plaza de San Juan de Dios where the Town Hall is and the open air
brings the essence of Cadiz to life. We walked through cobbled streets out onto
the main thoroughfare towards the Cathedral. A small detour took us into the
municipal museum (free entry) where we took in some modern Spanish American art
in the form of sculptures and paintings. It was a quiet haven away from the
normal tourist route. As you approach the cathedral you pass the Roman Theatre
which emphasised the importance that Cadiz had in Roman time. It was the largest
Roman Theatre in Spain.
As with most Cathedrals it is very imposing, finished
in the mid-19th century and like most buildings of this age undergoing constant
repairs. It is only a short walk back to the Town Hall from here (past the shops
and touristy bits) for good coffee and some great Tapas.
Back to the ship for
an early evening Sailaway which takes you past Cape Trafalgar where famously
Nelson destroyed the Spanish fleet when Villeneuve sailed from Cadiz in 1805
(Battle of Trafalgar).



Next Port is Messina Italy

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