Parque Genovés - Cadiz
The Parque Genovés is the quintessential garden of the historic city of Cadiz and the largest green space in the city. Located on adjacent to the northern seafront promenade (Paseo Mirador Santa Bárbara) next to the Parador de Turismo hotel. Its origin dates back to the end of the eighteenth century, throughout its history it has undergone various extensions and remodeling.
At the end of the eighteenth century, the first park was created on the land then located between the Camposanto and La Bomba barracks and the sea-wall. It was a poorly maintained and treeless, popularly known as the Paseo del Perejil.
In 1854 it underwent various extensions and changed its name to, Paseo de las Delicias. The reason for the expansion was the cholera epidemic that Cádiz suffered at that time, as well as to provide work.
In 1863 the Cuartel de la Columela barracks were demolished, and the site was planted with leafy trees of different species, of which the American cypress was predominant. The most important of its renovations was carried out in 1892 by Mayor Eduardo Genovés i Puig and the park was re-named, Parque Genovés.
The previous gardens were expanded, fountains, a waterfall with a lake, an auditorium and an open-air café were added along with varied botanical species.
The sculpture called 'Children’s under the Umbrella' was installed, and a fountain that was brought from Paris, which represents the allegory of a story. This acquisition was thanks to then director of the park, Fidel Caballero.
At the end of the nineteenth century, an iron structure for a theatre was built here, which was the work of Gustave Eiffel. This same structure was dismantled around 1930 for the construction of the Mercado de la Merced (today converted into the School of Flamenco Art).
One of the favourite places of all the visitors is “La Gruta”, which has a small lake with a waterfall where ducks and geese coexist.
Today in the garden are more than 100 different species of tree and shrubs. Of note are:
- Dragon tree, 100 years old.
- Iron Heart tree, from New Zealand, best example in Europe.
- Monkey Puzzle Tree, two examples and very first trees planted int he gardens and now reaching 50m tall.
As well as the interesting plant species the park houses a number of commemorative monuments. One is dedicated to the local botanist José Celectino Mutis (by artist José Gargallo in 1932) and the marble bust of José María Permán (by artist Juan de Avalos in 1967). others are dedicated to La Duquesa de Victoria, Santa Rosa, Manual de Falla (composer b. Cadiz 1876 - 1946), Columela (Roman writer on agriculture 4AD - 70AD), Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente (naturalist 1928 - 1980) and the Battle of Trafalgar.
Outdoor Auditorium Tetro José María Pemán was reconstructed in Winter 2021/22
Hours
Summer: (1 May to 30 September) 08.00 to 23.00 hrs
Winter: (1 October to 30 April) 08.00 to 21.00 hrs
Admission
Free
Location
Parque Genovés, Av. Dr. Gómez Ulla, s/n, Cádiz.
