View from the bell tower of the Cathedral of Cadiz
Wow! Can you believe we're on day 13 of our cruise and we still have a few more days to go!
I didn't do very much research before arriving in Cadiz, but my parents had been had been to Cadiz on a previous cruise and they decided to just take a walk.
My husband and I were adamant that we were doing the Red Sight Seeing bus so that we could fit in as much as possible. We had not used the hop on hop off bus in Barcelona and we had regretted it.
We disembarked early from the ship and the bright red busses were waiting just outside the cruise terminal gates. We managed to get a ticket which included entry into the Cathedral of Cadiz.
We boarded our bus and already knew that today was going to be special.
Our very first stop was at the Cathedral. We wanted to make sure that we got in early to miss the crowds so that we could make the most of the rest of our day in Cadiz.
We waited patiently and looked at the art exhibition and statues outside before we were allowed in at our allotted time. The plaza outside holds the Cathedral and the Santiago church. As we entered to Church we were handed a portable player and head phones and so our self walking tour began. Each part of the church was numbered so all you had to do was play the number on the device.
The naive and altar were magnificent. The Cathedral took 116 years to build and due to it taking so long, it changed architects 3 times. This resulted in the church mainly being of a Baroque style, but then later added Rococo and Neoclassical styles. The cathedral is laid out in the shape of a cross with each naive separated by pillars.
The dome in the picture above is yellow on the outside and the creamy cool white on the inside.
The Crypt
We made our way down to the crypt designed by Vicente Acero in 1726, which from the main level just looks like a set of stairs disappearing below.
We descended into an odd flat vaulted room with dooryards and passages off various points. The most unusual thing about it was the way that sound travelled, bounced and was amplified in the space. I was very tempted to sing, but even talking quietly was heard across the room due to its unusual shape.
The Pipe Organ and Choir stalls
The pipe organ was particularly spectacular. The last pipe organ that I witnessed being played was in the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostella. The organist was exceptionally talented and the sound washed through the Cathedral. I imagine this organ would do the same.
The choir stalls were segregated from the congregation by big black decorative steel gates. And their stalls were beautifully carved. Even the choir conductors stand was architectural in design.
Gold embelishments
The main colours throughout the cathedral were dominated by white marble, Black trim and signs of terracotta, but Gold was used on the most precious parts of the building including the pulpit and the altar.
Once back outside we took the opportunity to climb Levante Tower. There are two identical towers and the one on the left is open to the public. The exit door leads directly to the tower, but you can choose not to climb the many stairs up to the bell.
We climbed up the sloping worn stone steps one by one until we emerged onto a balcony with 2 large bells. We were lucky enough to be up there when the bells tolled with a deafening sound.
The views were incredible. I don't think you will get this view from anywhere else in Cadiz. We could see the sea to our left and ahead as it encompassed the peninsula that is Cadiz.
We could take in the architectural detail of the cathedral and see the plaza down below.
Soon we decided to walk back down the many steps. It was getting warm and the beach was our next stop.
We walked through passages and markets until we found the beach. It was a short enough distance that we didn't bother waiting for the bus as it was just as fast to walk.
We walked the sea bridge to the fort that protected Cadiz. Today it is a museum and holds radio towers. It also holds some of the oldest masonry work.
We couldn't miss out on a swim alongside the sea bridge. the water was so inviting and warm. Access was over some sharp and slippery rocks, but once we were in we could enjoy the wonderful sandy bottom.
A small swell rolled in, but I can't imagine waves getting too big in the area.
We dried off and walked the coastline of the peninsula, still ignoring the red busses passing us by as we took our stroll. We passed the many fishing boats in bays, the big fancy hotels on the beach front and eventually we reached the park that we had planned to visit.
This park allows free access. It is a seaside park and is one of the heritage sites of Andalucia.
We were immediately struck by the ornamental trees and their beautiful shapes. We walked down the main central aisle and took a seat on a bench to have a snack. We had already don't so much in Cadiz and we were only half way through our day.
We continued along the coast and as the road took a right turn we were confronted by an old fort and just to the right of it was yet another beautiful garden. This Garden is the home to magnificent ficus trees and bougainvillea.
Can you spot the child high up in the tree?
The black and white tile work continued to make an appearance. This park had a more casual relaxed feel with locals fishing off the sea wall below and kids playing in the giant trees above.
We finally conceded and found the next red bus stop. It was a short wait and soon the bus arrived. We took the bus past our ship and headed towards the shopping district.
On the way we past one more beach with locals on electric scooters and eBikes. It really does seem like the best way to get around. You could travel the entire peninsula on an electric scooter.
After some shopping for necessities we headed back to our ship to rest our feet and eat some good food after a day well spent in Cadiz.
You won't believe what we got to do the next day!
Next stop PORTIMAO!!!
ITINERARY
If you would like to follow my 15 day cruise then read the previous posts here:
Venice (1)
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Koper (2)
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Sarande (3)
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Split (4)
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Catania (5)
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Amalfi (6)
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Rome (7)
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Florence (8)
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Cannes (9)
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Barcelona (10)
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Ibiza (11)
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Motril (12)
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//:# (!worldmappin 36.53116 lat -6.29311 long Mediterranean Cruise: Cadiz (13) d3scr)
