{"id":21018,"date":"2010-06-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-06-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.clubvillamar.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/a-visit-to-cadiz\/"},"modified":"2018-03-02T15:45:25","modified_gmt":"2018-03-02T15:45:25","slug":"a-visit-to-cadiz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clubvillamar.com\/blog\/spain\/a-visit-to-cadiz\/","title":{"rendered":"A Visit to Cadiz"},"content":{"rendered":"

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C\u00e1diz<\/strong><\/a> has a long history that stretches for well over 3000 years. It is believed to be the oldest European city, with its origins now lost in legends and myths. The Phoenicians gave C\u00e1diz its name which means wall or compound. Successful invasions by Greeks, Romans and finally Moors have left their mark on C\u00e1diz and have contributed to its architecture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Due to its position on a narrow peninsula, C\u00e1diz<\/strong> <\/a>has been the object of many invasions and attacks by sea. This has led to the construction of many military fortresses that today are visited by tourists bent not on conquest, but on rest and recuperation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many Beaches<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain can be found in C\u00e1diz. Among the most visited by locals and tourists is La Caleta Beach, scene of several movies and also the setting of many of the songs sung at the Carnival. La Victoria Beach<\/strong><\/a> is also beautiful, with its clean sands that stretch about three kilometers. The Santa Maria del Mar Beach lies between the other two and is smaller in size but just as beautiful.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Carnival<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You would not want to miss the Carnival in C\u00e1diz in February of each year. The preparations for the two week festival take place during the entire year with singing contests, improvisation, humor and above all, the preparation of costumes and choreography<\/strong> <\/a>for the two weeks in February. On the big day, usually the final day of the festival, the city explodes in a riot of costumes, singing and dancing as the revelers enjoy themselves in a frenzy of celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Roman Theater<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

A recent archaeological find is sure to kindle a certain amount of interest in visitors to C\u00e1diz. This is the almost perfect remains of a Roman theater built just before the Christian era. Discovered after a disastrous fire destroyed the building over it; the theater was the second largest in the Roman world.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Plazas<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

C\u00e1diz is famous for its plazas, all found in the old section of the city. Among the most beautiful is the Plaza La Candelaria with its red and white flowers surrounding the statue of Emilio Castelar<\/strong><\/a>, a Spanish president who was born near the Plaza. Plaza de Mina is also beautiful, with its many statues of several well-known Spanish leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overlooking this plaza is the Museum of C\u00e1diz, where you can pass a delightful afternoon looking at artifacts from the long history of C\u00e1diz<\/strong><\/a>. Also on display in the museum are works by Rubens and other painters.<\/span><\/p>\n