Property Cadiz - Buy, Rent & Stay in Cadiz, Spain

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Cadiz

Cádiz is one of the eight provinces that form the Region of Andalucía in Southern Spain.

It is, in fact, Spain's most southern province and covers an area of 7,385 kilometres with a million inhabitants. It has approximately 1,260 kilometres of coast, of which about 200 kilometres are beaches. The most outstanding features of this province are its beaches and coastline with clean sparkling water. There are many different types of beaches from natural untouched coastline to more developed touristy areas. It has an average temperature of 34ºc in summer with fresher temperatures at night.

History of the Cadiz Province

The port city of Cádiz is considered to be the oldest city in Western Europe due to its strategic location on the coast dividing Europe and Africa. It is also the most southern city. Situated on the Bay of Cádiz and surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, it is united to the rest of the Peninsula by a narrow isthmus.

Cádiz is a city with a long history. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the year 1.100 B.C. and has been occupied by Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims. From the 8th century onwards it was taken over by the Moors. Then, in the 11th century, Alfonso X took control of the province reconverting it to Christianity. In the 13th century Cadiz gained importance as the place where Christopher Columbus set sail from on his discovery voyage to America.

Climate

A mixed climate partly Mediterranean and partly Atlantic with temperatures not usually rising above 34º in summer. Winter temperatures are usually quite moderate too with the average yearly temperature of around 18ºc. It has moderate rainfall and never snows. However it can often be very windy.

Its 3,200 hours of yearly sunshine guarantees more than 300 sunny days.

Average temperatures per season are:

Winter: 14º C. - Spring: 17º C.

Summer: 22º C. - Autumn: 18º C.

The average yearly temperature of the sea-water is 17º C.

Tourism

The province caters for every aspect of tourism.

The City has a fascinating atmosphere about it with its narrow alleyways, back streets, open squares and spectacular churches - all close to the immense blue waters of the Cadiz Bay. The town itself is relaxed and not at all intimidating, like some port towns can be. Cadiz also boasts the liveliest Carnival celebration in Spain (with the possible exception of Tenerife in the Canary Islands).

Today the city is also a departure point for ferryboats to the Canary Islands.

The old city, considered to be a historic monument, is partially surrounded by walls. Its most important monuments are the Cathedral, the Church of Santa Cruz, the Castles of Santa Catalina and San Sebastián and the Puertas de Tierra (the old gate of the city).

The city has many beaches: La Caleta beach, in the old part, and La Victoria, Santa María del Mar and Cortadura beaches in the new part of the city. Cádiz also has important sport facilities and cultural festivals.

Some places of special interest in Cadiz

Puerta Tierra - part of the city wall with two fortifications (San Roque y el de Santa Elena), built in the 18th century. The city entrance is in the middle of the wall.
San Sebastián castle - located on the small island off la Caleta beach. It was built in 1706 as a fort to defend the northern side of the city.
Santa Catalina Castle - a 17th century building built for defensive purposes to defend the northern side of La Caleta beach. It is now used as an exhibition centre and concert hall.
Baluarte de la Candelaria – a fort located in Cadiz bay. Built in 1672.
Teatro Romano - a roman theatre which was only discovered in 1980. Located in the area known as the Barrio del Pópulo between the old Cathedral and the Arco de los Blancos. It is thought to have been built in the 1st century B.C. during the time of Julia Ceasar.
Baluarte de San Roque y Santa Elena: Two forts located on either side of the city entrance in the city's wall.
Arco de los Blancos: Located next to the old Cathedral in the area known as the barrio de Pópulo. This is the Western entrance to the city built by Alfonso X el Sabio in the 13th century.
The Cathedral - construction of the cathedral started in 1722 and ended in 1838. During construction it had 7 different architects, which is reflected in its various styles.
The Church of Santa Cruz - widely known as the "Old Cathedral" as it was the Cathedral until 1838. L ocated in the area known as the Barrio del Pópulo, next to the Arco de los Blancos. It was built upon an ancient mosque under the orders of Alfonso X el Sabio.
Oratorio de San Felipe Neri Church: Located in the Plaza San Felipe Neri. 17th century church which during the French occupation was the place where Cadiz's parliament met. It is the place where the first Spanish constitution was written in 1812. Its walls are adorned with plaques commemorating those who took part in drawing up the constitution. Some of the members of Cadiz's parliament are buried in the crypt. There is an interesting painting by Murillo.

Cuisine of the Cadiz Region

The gastronomy of Cadiz is influenced, above all, by the wines and brandies which are produced in the province and by the wide range of fish that abounds along its coastline: sea-bass, plaice and cod. Other common sea-food incudes shrimp, lobster, sea-snails and the renowned prawns of Sanlucar.

Cadiz cuisine has clear phoenician, roman and arabic traits and differs according to where you are. Delicious fresh seafood, fish soups and rice dishes on the coast contrast with dishes made with game, beef, goat, pork, river trout and vegetable-based stews inland. There are regional hams and other pork products and local olive oil on offer in the mountain villages, along with excellent traditional cheeses.

Typical dishes from Cadiz include

Coastal areas - Tortitas de Camarones (small thin crispy omelettes with tiny prawns), calamares en su tinta (squid in its ink), fideos con gambas y almejas (noodles with prawns and clams), all kinds of shellfish including sea urchin, crab and lobster
Inland - The local vinegar and sherry produced in Jerez plays a key role in dishes inland. Perdiz estofada (partridge casserole), revuelto de esparragos trigueros (scrambled eggs with fresh asparagus), aceitunas aliñadas (marinated olives), ajo caliente (warm garlic).
Mountain villages - Caldereta de cordero (lamb casserole), guiso de rabo de toro (oxtail stew), wild game.

Wine is very important to the local economy in the province of Cadiz and there are important bodegas in Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, Sanlúcar de Barrameda y Chiclana de la Frontera.

The confectionery and pastry making of the province is clearly influenced by the province's links with the Arabian countries. Some of the delicacies which should not be missed include: creme caramel, the pastries of Medina Sidonia, the "turron" and "churros" of Cadiz and the delicious "pestiños", a Christmas sweet typical of all the province.

The numerous bars, restaurants, taverns, sea-food restaurants and "chiringuitos" (beach bars), provide plenty of opportunites to savour the varied gastronomy and sample the excellent wines - finos, amontillados, olorosos, manzanillas - and the brandies made within the province.

Arts & Craft in Cadiz

A wide range of craft products are produced in the province:

Leather work - Centred in Ubrique and the neighbouring towns of Prado del Rey and Villamartin.
Weaving - Blankets and ponchos woven in Grazalema.
Coopering and tack / harness making - In Jerez de la Fontera.
Wicker and rush weaving in Medina Sidonia, Setenil, Bornos and Vejer de la Frontera.
Basket and sandal weaving in Torre Alhaquime as well as La Palma and El Ganchillo in Paterna.
Hand crafted guitars made in Algodonales.
Pottery made in Arcos and Conil.
Traditional dolls made in Chiclana, with its own Museum.

Carnivals & Festivities in Cadiz

Carnaval de Cardez - with its choruses, fancy-dress processions, jokes, disguises and float parade. The Carnival centres around Shrove Tuesday. Cádiz celebrates the carnival with processions from the weekend before, to the weekend after.

The Falla's Contest - A Music festival held in the Gran Teatro Falla before Carnival itself and a relatively serious competition as the show is televised across Spain. Competition is keen, and contestants spend months in preparation.

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