Cadiz. Place of history

When Gibraltar was already behind and, after entering the pass, I had a view of the ocean before me, there was a feeling of euphoria ... But when I saw the name "Cadiz" on the map, I was covered with goose bumps and experienced an inexpressible sense of impending adventure. Adventures in a good way.

Just look at the map. The city is surrounded by water! Even on the map it is beautiful! But in addition, this name is Cadiz! - It occurs in a huge number of books and is always associated with adventure, some wars, noble dons, pirates, even with Napoleon.

A small historical reference about Cadiz:

Cadiz was founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC. e. and claims to be the oldest city in Europe. The Phoenicians called it Gadir or Gader, the Greeks - Gadir or Gadeir, the Romans - Hades.

The Phoenician Hades was taken from the Carthaginians. After the Second Punic War (206 BC), Hades moved to the Romans. Caesar gave the city municipal rights. At the end of the I century BC. e. geographer Strabo considered Hades the second most populous city in the Roman Empire. Later, Cadiz fell under the power of vandals, Visigoths and Arabs.

In the Greeks and Byzantines, Cádiz was considered "the end of the world"; there was even a saying "beyond Cadiz and no way" (it is used, for example, by Gregory the Theologian in the "Praiseworthy Word" by Basil the Great), in meaning identical to Russian "above the head you will not jump."

In 1262 the city was conquered by Castile. In the first Spanish chronicle "Estoria de Espanna" (1282 or 1284), prepared by King Alfonso X, it is said that in the city there were border pillars of Hercules itself, and the settlement of the area was erected to this ancient Greek hero.

In the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, Cádiz became the main port for sending Spanish expeditions to America. From the port of Palos de la Frontera next to Cadiz, the ships of Columbus went west.

In 1766, King Charles III, by his decree, decided to grant autonomous rights to the island of Leon, thus depriving the rulers of Cadiz power over this island.

The siege of Cadiz by the French in 1810-1812 unsuccessfully lasted two years. During this siege, the Cadiz Cortes declared the Constitution of 1812 in Cadiz. In 1823 in Cádiz, the Cortes, along with the captured King Ferdinand, took refuge. Cadiz was besieged by the French and captured in 1824.

Entering the city, I just had time to turn my head around! Good weather, blue sky and the sea around! Such species that all the time I wanted to stop, but this could not be done. Then the road dived from the shadow of the houses that surrounded it from both sides. He left the sea only a smell and a sense of fresh air. And so we turned and found ourselves on the waterfront.

Finding a place where you can shove our Siat, we surrendered to Cadiz.

First of all, of course, on the embankment! There the shore is fortified with huge stones, so that the ocean does not wash away this magnificent hail!

Below, on the rocks, sat the fishermen! I have never seen such fishing ...

It is interesting that they did not catch everything, but only the fish that they needed. Although, in such a crowd, it was more like not on the sea but on canned fish. Having fished out not what was needed, they threw the fish back into the ocean and threw the fishing rod again.

I think the slogan of one travel company about Spain "... Spain leaves a trace ..." is not bad. Because Spain really leaves a mark and not only in the form of a tan that was shown on that advertising poster. Spain leaves a mark on the soul!

I want to go one more time to those places, more consciously, more aware. In the meantime, I just barely touched the great heritage of Spain and Cadiz. But I was interested in everything. And the city and the ocean and even a plate of fried sausage in a cafe.

And, as always, not only stones and buildings are interesting, but also people.

Obligatory program - local police. They rushed past me somewhere to where the offense is committed.

Well, and of course, the "sleeping" person in the cafe. And what? Siesta in full swing!

The small streets of Cadiz are full of shops. Our women uncontrollably tore at them.

We are discharged duty free. They bought something.

And while they are given to shopping - I'm looking out for an interesting story on the street.

While we were walking, the day was over. The sun was bowing to the sunset and this orange light painted the Cadiz in golden shades. Very beautiful!

I apologize for not telling the full story about this wonderful city and place, but I hope, after I visit there again, I will make a more complete and colorful reportage. It's just that Portugal was waiting for us at that moment. Once it was more thoughtful to see this magnificent city.