The magic non-Island Cadiz

Tobias Heller
7. Juli 2017
4 Min. Lesezeit

From Sevilla Rafael and me go with an Italian Driver to Puerto Real, where our two Couchsurfing Hosts Felipe and Victor would host both us. Puerto Real is just on the other side of two huge bridges leading in and out the center of Cadiz, but we will stay there for the following days. Cadiz is supposed to be oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain, it is also sometimes considered to be the most ancient city in western Europe.

Nightlife

Late Arrival - Sunset & Drinks

Together with my new won travel mate Rafael we go by car to Cadiz, where our two Couchsurfing hosts would be waiting for us. Our hosts are situated in Puerto Real, across the bridge, so not directly in Cadiz. Briefly before Cadiz, in the slight fog suddenly a blurry shadow appears, which clarifies while drawing closer, offering a somewhat bizzare view. The street is lifted up an a high bow, making a long curve upwards to the left, long white strings slashing down holding the construction that despite being firmly installed seems to be moving and winding. This is one of the two bridges that connect the Island of Cadiz with the mainland. It is slightly foggy today which adds to the strange scene. When we arrive we are welcomed by our hosts and asked to go out tonight for tapas and a drink in a bar in Cadiz. At a certain point poor Rafael gets so tired he falls asleep on a table, and I myself have to supress constant yawning, though we spend a good night together.

Sightseeing

Exploring Cadiz - A walk around

The next day Rafael and I are going to explore the city on the Island. We take a stroll past some monuments, various squares and finally end up in a large open area whivh houses the cathedral.

Sightseeing & Architecture

Cathedral of Cadiz - not just one of many

The cathedral is a must see in Cadiz, fortunately the guy at the entrance counts me as a student and I get the reduced price for the ticket. Though I have seen many cathedrals yet, this one is especially beautiful and indeed worth a visit. The light inside is dim, though perfectly adjusted in a balance of being in peace and silence and simultaneously being highlighted and playful by the soft incoming rays. The light somehow does not only seem to fall inside, but moreover float and be suspended in mid air. The mighty altar is the center of it, while an aisle goes all around it, making it the ultimate central element which can omnipresently be spotted through the columns while circling. It also includes a large organ with hundreds of pipes, flanked and decorated by small angel statues.

We also step up the adjacent stairways to the belltower, which takes us several minutes constantly spiraling upwards. From above the view over the city indeed is magnificent as it is possible to look in any direction: the coastline to the east, the city and the bridges in the far to the north.

Viewpoint & Gardens

Cadiz from Above

In the center there is a tower which can be climbed, it offers an even better view than from the cathedral, all along the coast line with the precious white sand beaches. The cathedral sits very prominent amidst all the other buildings and has a very majestic and splendid appearance.

From here we move to the far northwestern end of Cadiz, the peak where a fantastic beach as well as a nice garden is situated. The garden itself invites us to have a rest and some cool drinks and sandwiches we prepare with ingredients we buy from the supermarket. Large hedges, properly trimmed and shaped, some cut into spiral forms others as big blocks, flank the main walkway in the park. At it's end exotic trees have been planted, and I overhear a tourist guide who explains that one of them is imported from africa, while another one was brought from Teneriffe.

Beaches

Beach day - Must in Cadiz!

We make our way to the beach here, though just here in the city center it is nice, clean and has a beautiful appearance. In the little bay hundreds of small boats are floating, anchoring here witnessing the sun which is just soon about to set. We should meet up here with our host Victor, but unfortunately Rafael mixed up the beaches, for that now we hurry 2 km along the coast in order to reach the other one, past the cathedral's backside wich overlooks the coastline. Together we enjoy the sunset, jump into the salty fresh waves and have some beers, and I feel very comfortable and relaxed here on that now nearly empty beach.

The following day Rafael is departing, and our short time travel team needs to break up, as he is on his way to other places in Spain before going off to Greece and I myself will go to Marbella to work there one month. Together with Victor I spend the day at the beach, relaxing, talking, swimming. Normally I am not the type of guy who is able to spend lots of time at the beach, relaxing and doing nothing. Though those last days before stopping my travels in order to start an Aupair job for the first time in my life and after being on the road for over 6 weeks, I embrace the possibility to rest.