Self-Guided Activities in Cadiz
|
Cathedral
One of Cádiz's most famous landmarks is its cathedral. It sits on the site of an older cathedral, completed in 1260, which burned down in 1596. The reconstruction, which was not started until 1776, was supervised by the architect Vicente Acero, who had also built the Granada Cathedral. Acero left the project and was succeeded by several other architects. As a result, this largely baroque-style cathedral was built over a period of 116 years, and, due to this drawn-out period of construction, the cathedral underwent several major changes to its original design. Though the cathedral was originally intended to be a baroque edifice, it contains rococo elements, and was finally completed in the neoclassical style. Its chapels have many paintings and relics from the old cathedral and monasteries from throughout Spain.
Jerez de la Frontera
Journey to Spain's capital of sherry production. After you've had a taste, the sensory experience continues as you watch fiery hot performances of flamenco dancing. Be sure to pay a visit to the famous Royal Equestrian School. There, the specially bred and trained Andalusian horses will display their talents to delighted spectators.
Website
Torre Tavira
The Tavira Tower, built in baroque style, was part of the palace of the Marquis of Recano, and it was named after its first watchman, D. Antonio Tavira. In 1778 it was designated the official watchtower of the town, as it is the highest lookout point in Cadiz, 45 metres above the sea level and placed in the middle of the old town. At the top, the tower is equipped with a cámara oscura device and a room that utilizes the principles of pinhole cameras to project fantastic panoramic views of the Old City onto its interior walls.
Website
Seville
Explore Spain's fourth largest city. As the capital of the Andalusia region, Seville holds many magnificent sites including the Basilica de la Macarena, the Museo de Bellas Artes and the 16th-century Casa de Pilatos. It's a city where historical preservation has remained paramount through the centuries.
La Playa de la Caleta Beach
La Playa de la Caleta is the best-loved beach of Cádiz. . It is the beach of the Old City, situated between two castles, San Sebastian and Santa Catalina. It is around four hundred meters long and thirty meters wide at low tide. La Caleta served as the set for several of the Cuban scenes in the beginning of the James Bond movie Die Another Day.
La Playa de la Victoria Beach
La Playa de la Victoria, in the newer part of Cádiz, is the beach most visited by tourists and natives of Cádiz. It is about three kilometers long, and it has an average width of fifty meters of sand. The moderate swell and the absence of rocks allow family bathing. It is separated from the city by an avenue; on the landward side of the avenue, there are many shops and restaurants.
