The Crossing--Cadiz, Spain

Cadiz turns out to be another wonderful surprise among the places we have not previously visited. A major port city of Spain, it was home to the Spanish fleet when ol' Christopho Colombo was exploring the New World out of here. Founded in 1100BC they claim it is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western world! One would not know it today, it doesn't look a day over 400!


During the 18th Century, (the 1700's to those of us who are century challenged) it was the center for European trade with the New World and therefor became the wealthiest port in Western Europe. Cadiz has a plethora of Cathedrals built from that era and is exceptionally Catholic. We arrived on Saturday in Holy Week and it has had incredible all saints "parades" daily through the small passage ways of the old city to individual cathedrals...all lined with viewing stands which carry a steep price for a seat. How Catholic is it?

We were on a walking tour of the old city and stopped in front of the City Hall and a lady asked why all the flags were at half mast? The guide replied quite matter of fact "Jesus Christ died Friday". No separation of city and church in Cadiz.

The old city is quite vibrant with modern boutiques side by side with old style fish mongers. The streets are very clean and exceptionally well maintained by city workers. It is still a residential city with apartments above all the merchants and parks sprinkled in among all the commerce.

It has an amazing central market with small individuals stalls combining to create a huge market featuring fresh (even live) fish, beautiful vegetable displays, meats, cheeses and flowers. On our Saturday morning it was teeming with shoppers. Other individual free lancing vendors crowded the perimeter of the official city market. Quite a scene.











The Seven Seas Mariner docked in the city center so we simply disembarked and immediately walked throughout the old city following one of four lines painted on the streets to mark tours with individual themes for "cathedrals", "forts and bastions", "panoramic sea front" or "historic monuments". Just follow the blue, purple, yellow or red line. Now that is a chamber of commerce at work...and the lines we followed were great! Cadiz has it all: history, charm, good food and clean streets! Click on the photos for a closer look.



Lee