Cádiz, the oldest existing city in western Europe, is home to many beautiful and historic monuments and attractions. Its peculiar location at the end of a narrow peninsula lends added charm to this ancient city.

Cadiz is located on a narrow peninsula streching out into a bay and it’s almost entirely surrounded by water. The Phoenicians founded it in 1104 BC as a trading post with Tartessos, under the name of Gadir. Around 500 BCE, the city was controlled by the Carthaginians, until the city fell to Roman forces under Scipio Africanus in 206 BC. The city was renamed Gades and flourished as a Roman naval base.

The 5th century overthrow of Roman power in Spain by the Visigoths saw the destruction of the original city, of which there remain few remnants today. Betweeen 711 and 1262 it was ruled by the Moors, the city was called Qādis from which the modern Spanish name, Cádiz, was derived.

Iin the early 16th century the city experienced a renaissance attaining great splendour as a launching point for the journey to the newly discovered lands of America. Christopher Columbus sailed from Cádiz on his second and fourth voyages. The city later became the home port of the Spanish treasure fleet and as a result of this, a major target of Spain’s enemies. A raid by Sir Francis Drake, was repulsed outside the city in April 1587.

In the 18th century, the sand bars of the river Guadalquivir forced the Spanish government to transfer the port monopolizing trade with Spanish America from upriver Seville to Cádiz on the Atlantic coast. During this time, the city experienced a golden age during which three-quarters of all Spanish trade was with the Americas. It became one of Spain’s greatest and most cosmopolitan cities and home to trading communities from many countries, among whom the richest was the Irish community. Many of today’s historic buildings in the Old City date from this era.

During Napoleon’s conquest of Europe, Cádiz was one of the few cities in Spain that was able to resist the French invasion.

Cádiz was also the seat of the liberal Cortes (parliament) that fought against Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte in the Peninsular War and where the Spanish Constitution of 1812 was proclaimed. The citizens again revolted in 1820 to secure a renewal of this constitution; the revolution spread across Spain, leading to the imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII in the city of Cádiz.

Some of the city’s 18th century walls still stand, such as the Landward Gate (Puerta Tierra). The old, central quarter (casco antiguo) of Cadiz is famous for its picturesque charm, and many of the buildings reflect the city’s overseas links. In recent years, the city has undergone much reconstruction. Many monuments, cathedrals, and landmarks have been cleaned and restored, adding to the considerable charm of this ancient city.

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