Cadiz Cathedral and Square, Cadiz (must see)
The 18th century was the golden time of Cadiz. Rich with wealth from the Americas, it was important to have a cathedral grander and taller than the Giralda of Seville (the bell tower of Seville Cathedral). The effort was started by architect Vicente de Acero, who had also built the Granada Cathedral. Acero quit in a dispute with the Head of Works in 1739.
This period of construction under different architects lasted until 1838. The project was carried on successively by architects Gaspar Cayon, Miguel Olivares, Manuel Machuca and finished by Juan Daura. This resulted in a series of styles morphing from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassical.
The Cathedral is laid out in the traditional Latin cross plan. It has three naves and a pentagonal ambulatory. Except for the dome top of the ambulatory, the vaults are supported by rows of Corinthian columns. The altar is raised. Under it is a spacious crypt. Chapels are in the naves. In the choir are two highly valued great organs.
The 184-foot Clock Tower, also known as Levante Tower, is a principal attraction of the Cathedral. The top of the tower offers vast panoramic views of the El Populo district, the ocean, the South Field (Campo del Sur), the Promenade, and the city's harbor. The Cathedral shares the Square with its 1669 predecessor church, Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja), dedicated to the Holy Cross.
The Square was part of the urban reform of 1721 that also ultimately produced the (new) Cathedral of Cadiz. Houses were demolished to create an open space before the Cathedral. The Square is not a regular shape. It runs parallel to the seashore and is paved with white marble.
The Rose Arch (Arco de la Rosa) is an access gate to the Town Castle. It was also a passageway to the old Tablas Square (Plaza de las Tablas), which was re-formed to become Cathedral Square. Besides the Cathedral and the old Church of Santa Cruz, the square is home to the Jesuit Church of Santiago, built in 1563.
Cathedral
This period of construction under different architects lasted until 1838. The project was carried on successively by architects Gaspar Cayon, Miguel Olivares, Manuel Machuca and finished by Juan Daura. This resulted in a series of styles morphing from Baroque to Rococo to Neoclassical.
The Cathedral is laid out in the traditional Latin cross plan. It has three naves and a pentagonal ambulatory. Except for the dome top of the ambulatory, the vaults are supported by rows of Corinthian columns. The altar is raised. Under it is a spacious crypt. Chapels are in the naves. In the choir are two highly valued great organs.
The 184-foot Clock Tower, also known as Levante Tower, is a principal attraction of the Cathedral. The top of the tower offers vast panoramic views of the El Populo district, the ocean, the South Field (Campo del Sur), the Promenade, and the city's harbor. The Cathedral shares the Square with its 1669 predecessor church, Old Cathedral (Catedral Vieja), dedicated to the Holy Cross.
The Square was part of the urban reform of 1721 that also ultimately produced the (new) Cathedral of Cadiz. Houses were demolished to create an open space before the Cathedral. The Square is not a regular shape. It runs parallel to the seashore and is paved with white marble.
The Rose Arch (Arco de la Rosa) is an access gate to the Town Castle. It was also a passageway to the old Tablas Square (Plaza de las Tablas), which was re-formed to become Cathedral Square. Besides the Cathedral and the old Church of Santa Cruz, the square is home to the Jesuit Church of Santiago, built in 1563.
Cathedral
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Cadiz Cathedral and Square on Map
Sight Name: Cadiz Cathedral and Square
Sight Location: Cadiz, Spain (See walking tours in Cadiz)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cadiz, Spain (See walking tours in Cadiz)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cadiz, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Cadiz
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cadiz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cadiz's Plazas Walking Tour
Nicknamed "the silver cup" for its location on a small peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic, in southwestern Spain, the coastal city of Cadiz indeed resembles a small silver cup and has a unique urban layout and architecture.
Cadiz's architectural scene is a blend of various styles and influences, such as Moorish, Baroque, and Neoclassical, reflecting its rich history and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Cadiz's architectural scene is a blend of various styles and influences, such as Moorish, Baroque, and Neoclassical, reflecting its rich history and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Cadiz's Old Fortifications Walking Tour
"Cadiz is a silver cup, surrounded by walls and kissed by the sea," goes the expression highlighting the city's unique location and historic fortifications. Indeed, throughout its more than 3,000-year-long history, Cadiz has been fortified numerous times to ward off naval attacks and invasions by land.
After Christopher Columbus launched his second and fourth voyages to the New... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
After Christopher Columbus launched his second and fourth voyages to the New... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Cadiz Introduction Walking Tour
Cadiz is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. Some say Cadiz was founded by Hercules after performing his tenth labor, wherein he slew Geryon, the three-headed monster, and stole his herd of red cattle. Others say no. They say the city was founded by Phoenician seafarers who beached their black ships on the sandy island of Erytheia three thousand years ago.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles