Cathedral Nueva
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| Cadiz Cathedral |
A grandiose structure capped
by a dome of golden tiles was described by Richard Ford as "a
stranded wreck on a quicksand." This 18th Century Baroque cathedral
gets few visitors. This is a welcome change after the hordes of
visitors in places such as Seville, so you have the cathedral experience,
as it should be - in silence. A highlight is the lower floor. If
you stand in the middle of the circular basement and make a noise
the echo effect it produces is truly wonderful.
An impressive collection of church treasures can
be viewed and in the crypt lies the tomb of composer Manuel de Falla,
a Cadiz native, whose music is evocative of the magic of Andalucia.
The best external view of the cathedral is to walk along the sea
front behind it so you can observe the golden dome.
Price: 3.00 EUR
Fine Arts & Archaeology Museum
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| Fine Arts Museum |
The archaeology museum on the ground floor is worth
a look. Some excellent glassware and jewellery are highlights and
there is a good collection of amphorae as you'd expect from an historic
port.
The Fine Arts museum on the second floor includes
a Rubens canvas and the pride of the collection is a set of canvasses
by Zurbaran.
On the third floor there is allegedly a wonderful collection of
puppets used for biting satirical plays.
Plaza de Mina
Open: Tues and Sun 9.30-2 pm
Price: 1.50 EUR
Tel: 956 21 22 81
Oratorio de Santa Cruz
This church is divided into two very distinct parts:
the gloomily simplistic oval 18th century chapel with only a crucifixion
sculpture; and the contrasting upper floor, elegantly decorated
and containing some fine Goya paintings depicting the Miracle of
the Loaves and Fishes, the Guest at the Wedding and the Last Supper.
An excellent free guide is given upon entry.
Calle Rosario
Price: 1.50 EUR
Tel 956 22 22 62
Oratori de San Feligo Neri
Historically this building is important as it is
where a group of radicals met in 1812 to produce a blueprint of
liberalism espousing the sovereignty of the people of Spain over
the throne. However there is nothing of note inside the church.
There is an adjoining museum.
Price: 1.50 EUR
Iglesia de San Felipe Neri
A place of pilgrimage for democracy-loving Spaniards,
since it was here that parliament gathered in 1812 to proclaim a
liberal constitution and it was here that the Cortes of Cadiz met
when the rest of Spain was subjected to the rule of Napoleon's brother,
Joseph Bonaparte, more popularly known as Pepe Botella for the love
of the bottle. On the main alter is an Immaculate Conception by
Murillo, the great Sevillian artist who in 1682 fell to his death
from a scaffolding while working on his Mystic Marriage of St. Catherine
in the Chapel of Santa Catalina.
C/ Santa Ines.
Tel: 956 21 16 12
Museo Historico Municipal
Boasts a 19th century mural depicting the establishment
of the Constitution of 1812. The real showpiece is a fascinating
mahogany and ivory model of the city which dates back to 1779 and
which is a fascinating duplicate of all the streets and the buildings
much as they are today.
C/ Santa Ines.
Tel: 956 22 17 88
Gran Teatro, Manuel de Falla
This theatre is located within a wonderful neo-Mudejar
red brick building and has an impressive interior as well. There
is an active programme throughout the year, check the tourist office
for a schedule of events.
Hospital de Mujeres
This hospital has a brilliant El Greco of St Francis
in Ecstasy, depicting the grey-cloaked saint experiencing a mystical
vision.
C/ San Francisco
Ayuntamiento
The city town hall overlooks the Plaza San Juan
de Dios and was constructed in two stages, the first in 1799, the
latter in 1861.
Torre Tavira
This highest and most important of the city's old
watchtowers is a fine place to get your bearings and affords a dramatic
panorama of the city. Back in the 18th century, Cadiz had no less
than 160 towers to watch over its harbours.
C/Marques del Real Tesoro 10.
Calle Ancha
A couple of blocks west of the Oratorio de San Felipe
Neri is C/ Ancha, the main street of late 18th and early 19th century
Cadiz. The cafes and bars here were the unofficial gathering and
debating places for members of the 1812 Cortes.
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