Tacita de plata

"The little silver cup" is how the tourist industry likes to evoke Cadiz. According to history (the Romans version,) it was founded by the Tartessians 3100 years ago although the earliest archaeological evidence is 300 years later when the Canaanites (called Phoenicians by the Greeks after their red cloaks,) settled the area and named it Gadir, (meaning 'enclosed area').
As their home base, Tyre, declined the Carthaginians took over from which to conduct the Punic Wars. The folk were not too impressed by this and signed an agreement with Rome, becoming Gades and one of the most important cities if Hispania.
The rest is predictable - inundated with Goths, invaded by Muslims, reconquest by Christian Kings. The Renaissance gave the place a boost as it became the port of embarkation and arrival for the American Trade which made many townsfolk into well-off burghers favouring free trade and a Monarchy. When those perfidious Frenchies started hammering at the gates during the Napoleonic Wars, Cadiz as it was henceforward called, provided refuge and a place for the Spanish Parliament to draft the first Spanish Constitution 'La Pepa'.
1. Puerto de Tierra, marking the entrance to the the old city
2. Looking towards the Castillo de Sebastian, which was closed
3. A municipal WC. Yes really! Costs 1 Euro 10
4. This reminds the tourist office of the Havana Beachfront (spruiking the American trade connection no doubt.)
5. From the Cathedral tower
6. The town boasts 3 Roman ampitheatres. I visited one with a capacity of 10,000 but a dim view of the customersRead more