Cadiz is a seafaring city with 3,000 years of history. It is the southern most provincial capital in Spain . The walls of the "Puertas de Tierra" clearly separate the modern area from the more historical, older part; made up of narrow streets, small squares and colourful local areas, such as "La Viña", an old fishing district where one can try the famous "pescaíto frito" (fried fish); or the "Mentidero" or "Santa María" districts, the true home of flamenco singing; or such as the San Juan de Dios Square, or the "El Pópulo" neighbourhood which was originally an old medieval village.

Most of the principal monuments can be found in the old part of the city, which is also ideal for shopping. There is also La Caleta beach, situated on a reef and bordredf by the Castles of Santa Catalina and San Sebastian.

The new area is made up of modern buildings, avenues and a promenade. It also has the magnificent La Victoria , Sta. María del Mar and Cortadura beaches.

There are also commercial centres, yacht clubs, a football stadium and sports complexes.

Cadiz is a lively city. The best way to get to know it is to slowly stroll through its streets, parks and boulevards full of ancient plants, talk to the people, enjoy a drink on its sidewalk cafés or in its noisy bars, all of which have an unmistakable Andalusian character.

The Bay of Cadiz and its beaches are ideal for all water sports. Every year, important nautical events are held in the Bay of Cadiz , due to its mild water temperature and prevailing breezes.

Cadiz is a city with a long history.

Founded by the Phoenicians about 1,100 years B.C., it is the oldest city in the west. Many cultures have passed through the city, Greek, Roman, Visigoth, Arab etc. It was conquered by Alfonso X �The Wise� in 1262, who built a cathedral on the site of an old Arab mosque.

Cadiz was the starting point for Christopher Columbus's second and fourth voyages of discovery to America and the port of return for the third of these voyages when he set sail from Sanlucar de Barrameda.

Felipe II ordered the city walls to be built after suffering the attacks of English troops in the 16 th and 17 th Centuries.

In the 18 th Century, it became one of the most important cities in Spain when the "Casa de Contratación", responsible for regulating all trade with the Latin American colonies, was moved there. Cadiz then became acosmopolitan and liberal city and one of the most important commercial centres in Europe . These liberal ideas were quashed in 1812 with the establishment of the Spanish parliament in Cadiz , in addition to the first Spanish constitution, converting it into the capital of Spain between 1810 and 1813.

MONUMENTS

The old part of Cadiz is considered to be a Historical and Artistic Monument . Special mention should be made of:

- The cathedral. 18 th Century of Neoclassical Baroque design. It is home to the Cathedral Museum with a wealth of exhibits.Manuel de Falla, the famous composer from Cadiz , is buried there.
- The Church of Santa Cruz , an old cathedral built in the 13 th Century. Worthy of mention is the altarpiece of the high altar and the Genoese chapel. - The San Felipe Neri Oratorio. Built in the 17 th Century. A painting of the Immaculate Conception by Muríllo is part of the Rocco high altar. This church was the home of the Spanish parliament in Cadiz in 1812 and where the Spanish constitution was drawn up.
- The Chapel of the Santa Cueva (1796), with three canvases by Goya.
- The Old Women's Hospital. 18 th Century, with a beautiful patio with a station of the cross painted in Flemish style and a Baroque staircase. There is a painting by El Greco inside the hospital.
- The Church of San Agustín (1647) with interesting sculptures and engravings.

Outstanding examples of the many 18 th century churches built in the colonial style are:

- The Church of El Carmen and the Church of La Pastora , with original two storey steeples.

Other examples of civil architecture includet:

- The city walls, of special note are the so-called "Puertas de Tierra" dating back to the 17 th century. The three doors of the original city are older: The Rose Arch, The El Pópulo Arch and the Arch of the �Blancos�.
- The Royal Prison, considered to be the best neoclassical monument in the city (today it is the home of the city courts).
- The Mora Palace , The Admirals House or the Casa de Las Cadenas, are good examples of the cities prosperity in the 18 th and 19 th centuries.
- The Candelaria and Mártires strongholds.
- Also worthy of mention are the Castles of San Sebastián and Santa Catalina.
- The Neo-Mudejar Falla Theatre was built in 1909 on the site of an old wooden theatre.
- The large Roman Theatre.