On our way to Cádiz we decided to leave the motorway and, in the hope of a more authentic experience, stop for lunch in the picturesque town of Alcalá de los Gazules. We chose the Mesón Asador El Campanero restaurant where we were immediately swept away by the traditional Andalusian hospitality. The food was fantastic and the paellas and the rich flavours of the local spices exceeded all our expectations, making this short gastronomic detour one of the most delicious memories of our trip.
The penultimate stop on our trip to southern Spain was Cádiz, where the city’s unique atmosphere and proximity to the sea immediately captivated us. We were particularly impressed by the beautiful colorful tiled entrances of the houses, behind which cool and elegant courtyards were hidden. During our long walk along the seaside promenade, we also reached the monument that commemorates the heroes of the struggle for the independence of the Spanish colonies, and where it was thought-provoking to see the imprints of the common and sometimes painful history of the two continents.
During our visit to the gardens of the Alameda de Apodaca, along the seaside promenade, we were deeply impressed by the monuments to Latin American and Far Eastern heroes, all of whom are symbols of freedom and self-determination. In addition to Simón Bolívar, who liberated several South American countries, the figures of José de San Martín and José Martí also recall the dramatic era of the independence struggles. It was particularly interesting to see the monument to the national hero of the Philippines, who was the spiritual leader of the struggles in the distant colonies.
The figure of José Rizal stands out among the freedom fighters, as he fought not with weapons, but with his pen and knowledge for the rights of his people. As a doctor and writer, he created works that awakened Filipinos to the injustices of Spanish colonial rule and the importance of national consciousness. Although he was fundamentally a reformist and believed in peaceful change, the authorities still accused him of rebellion and sentenced him to death. His execution in 1896 caused a huge outcry and finally launched the Philippine Revolution towards independence. Rizal is still a symbol of peace and intellectual resistance, and the city of Cádiz pays tribute to his memory.
The city of Cádiz is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, having been founded by the Phoenicians in the 1100s BC under the name Gadir. The city’s strategic location near the Strait of Gibraltar made it a key port for maritime trade from the very beginning. During Roman times, it flourished under the name Gades and became one of the richest ports in the empire, shipping salt, wine and fish sauce to Rome. After centuries of Muslim rule, Christian armies recaptured the city in 1262, which then became one of the most important starting points for Atlantic exploration.
The city’s true golden age came in the 18th century, when the Spanish crown granted Cádiz the monopoly of inter-American trade, replacing Seville. During this period, the city gained immense wealth and the characteristic townhouses with watchtowers from which merchants could watch their ships returning home were built. Cádiz became a stronghold of the Enlightenment and liberalism in Spain, where economic prosperity was accompanied by intellectual freedom and the spread of modern European ideas.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Cádiz’s historical importance skyrocketed again when, during the War of Independence against Napoleon, it was the only Spanish city that the French troops were unable to capture. It was here that the National Assembly met and in 1812 created Spain’s first liberal constitution, known to the people as La Pepa. This document laid the foundations of the modern Spanish state, proclaiming popular sovereignty and equality before the law, thus elevating Cádiz to the cradle of Spanish democracy.
Nowadays, Cádiz is a magical city, with its old town washed by the ocean on almost all sides and where every stone of history tells the story of a maritime adventure. The city is famous for its February carnival, one of the biggest and most cheerful events in all of Spain, reflecting the locals’ love of life and humor. Today, Cádiz has preserved its proud and independent character, where the salty sea air, the monumental dome of the Baroque cathedral and the endless horizon create a special atmosphere that makes every visitor want to come back.
