History Of Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz is a Spanish city that is steeped in history.

• It claims to be Europe's oldest city.
• Founded 3000 years ago by the seafaring Phoenician traders in 1100BC.
• The Phoenicians called it “Gadir”, which means “enclosure" or "walled compound".
• Legend has it that the city was founded by Hercules.
  
• Cadiz was raided by Sir Francis Drake in 1587 when he destroyed the shipping fleet of Cadiz.
• The city has been under the control by Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors.
• Columbus set sail from the port of Cadiz for America on his second and fourth voyage.
• Cadiz was at it's height of prosperity in the 15th century.
• The city faced repeated attacks from both the British and French.
  
• It became a fortified town and approximately 160 watch towers were constructed in the 18th century to guard against sea borne invaders.

Cadiz is a beautiful city with stunning buildings and landmarks that help to tell the story of it's rich and varied historical past. A city definately worth a visit.

Puerta De Tierra - Cadiz, Spain

Las Puerta De Tierra is an important monument of Cadiz. It marks the boundary between the old city and the outskirts.The bastions of Santa Elena and San Roque were built in the eighteenth century and were connected by a stretch of wall with the door of the city and the heavy defensive tower that can be seen in the photographs.

Puerta de tierra is a landmark that can be seen if you take a tour bus trip around the city of Cadiz. I would certainly recommend the city sightseeing tour bus as a great way of seeing many of the magnificent buildings and landmarks of the beautiful city of Cadiz.

Open Top Bus Tour At Cadiz

When I visited Cadiz on my Med cruise back in 2006, my husband and I decided to take the open top bus tour of Cadiz.
The City Sightseeing Tour Bus company now costs €10.99 for a adult day pass and €5.50 for a childs day pass. The tour takes about 70 minutes and can be taken all year round.

Here are some of the sights we saw;

Puerta de Tierra

Cathedral of Cadiz - the cupolas of the cathedral.



Old Town Hall of Cadiz


Views of the roof tops of Cadiz


Buildings in Cadiz - many of the buildings have towers on them.



Historic Statue


The City Sightseeing Tour Bus is definately worth the money and a great way to see the historic landmarks and buildings of Cadiz.