CADIZ, SPAIN - The Ancient City with 126 Watchtowers
While traveling through Andalusia during October, one of our favorite discoveries was the city of Cadiz (pop.117,000) in southwestern Spain. This intriguing place sits on a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean and has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years—making it one of the oldest cities in Europe.
The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and North African Muslims who once ruled this city have left behind a hidden gem that is made for days of walking and exploration. It is filled with ancient winding streets, plazas, arches, castles, fortresses, ocean walkways, beaches, watchtowers, and well-preserved architecture.
We stayed for six nights at the Hotel Monte Puertatierra that was conveniently located near miles of ocean walkway and the old walled city. Cadiz was also a good base for our day trips to El Puerto de Santa Maria and Jerez de la Frontera.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, Cadiz was one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and home to many wealthy merchants. Located on the prosperous trading route between Spain and the West Indies, it attracted people from all over the world. The merchants built watchtowers on top of their homes to view their ships as they entered and departed the harbor. The city is still home to 126 of the original 160 watchtowers.
The best place to learn more about them is to visit the Torre Tavira, an original tower, that is located in the center of the old town and open to the public. It offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city (after walking up ten flights of stairs), exhibition rooms and the camera obscura for viewing the city below.
On one of our many days of meandering through the city, we happened to come upon the ancient Theater of Cadiz that dates back to the first century BC. It is the second-largest theater ever built in the Roman Empire—surpassed only by the Theater of Pompeii in Italy. It was only recently discovered in 1980 due to a major fire at this location that led to an excavation. Entry to this well-preserved wonder is free.
The combination of an ancient city to explore and wonderful sea walks make this undiscovered city in southwestern Spain a special place to visit—without the overcrowding that is typical of many tourist destinations.
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