Sights of Cadiz: list, photos and description. Guide to Cadiz: travel, city attractions, reviews and active leisure, shopping Theater in Cadiz
The Grand Teatro Falla is a theater in Fraguela Square in Cadiz, built at the end of the 19th century.
Construction of the theater building began in 1884, however, it continued until the 20th century.
The theater was built in the classic neo-Mudéjar style of red brick and has three entrances in the form of horseshoe arches. The theater hall is designed for 1,214 spectators.
The name of the theater was given in honor of the famous composer Manuel de Falla, who was born in Cadiz.
The theater hosts various productions - concerts, plays, musicals and, in rare cases, operas.
Roman theater in Cadiz
The Roman theater is an ancient building that was built around the 1st century BC. This theater was one of the largest in the Roman Empire.
The diameter of the theater building is more than 120 meters, it could accommodate 20,000 spectators. The theater's stands are divided into three sectors. In their lower part, vaulted galleries with columns have been preserved in very good condition. The materials for construction were stone and concrete.
This grandiose structure was discovered in Cadiz in 1980 by accident during archaeological excavations.
Grand Theater de Falla (Cadiz, Spain) - repertoire, ticket prices, address, phone numbers, official website.
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A fine example of the intricate Andalusian Mudejar style, in which Spanish and Arabic motifs are intertwined, the Grand Theater of Cadiz named after Manuel de Falla is interesting not only for its remarkable “appearance”, but also for its excellent performances. The theater troupe is rightfully considered one of the best in Spain: it has repeatedly won various prizes at theater festivals. But even if you don’t speak Cervantes’ language, this is not a reason to deny yourself a visit to the theater: flamenco and classical guitar concerts are often held here, exhibitions and festivals are held. And every February, the Falla Theater hosts a competition for artists to participate in the Cadiz Carnival - and this spectacle is definitely worth seeing.
On the ceiling of the Teatro de Falla, in addition to the luxurious chandelier, it is worth considering an allegorical image of paradise, the work of the 19th century master Felipe de Arias.
A little history
The first city theater in Cadiz was built in 1871. Its fate, however, was short-lived: just ten years later it burned to the ground. In 1884, a competition was announced for the design of a new theater - it was won by the Cadiz architect Adolfo de los Rios, and in 1886 construction of the current theater began. However, it didn’t work out either: the mayor’s office did not have enough money, which is why the work was completed only in 1905, under the leadership of another architect, Juan de la Torre, who made significant changes to the original project. In 1910, the first performance took place here, and in 1926 the theater was named after a native of Cadiz, composer Manuel de Falla. In the 1980-1990s, the theater underwent a large-scale restoration.
Grand Teatro de Falla in Cadiz
What to see
The Grand Theater named after Falla is a bright and rather pompous building, without a doubt, adorning the face of the old city of Cadiz. You should start getting acquainted with it from the facade. The alternation of elements made of red and light yellow stone, especially the “striped” arches characteristic of Andalusia, creates a festive impression: it seems that the theater is literally blooming with bright colors!
Three side-by-side entrances lead into the theater, the tops of which are also decorated with arches with glass “rosettes”. In the large lobby you will be greeted by the furnishings of the early 20th century: stucco, figured lamps and furniture in the style of those times. Along the internal stairs you will ascend to the tiers of the theater - to the amphitheater, mezzanine and balconies. The auditorium is made in the best traditions of classical European theaters: red velvet seats, stucco and gilding and seats 1,200 spectators. On the ceiling, in addition to the luxurious chandelier, it is worth considering an allegorical image of heaven, the work of the 19th century master Felipe de Arias. The stage boasts a respectable size of 18 by 25 meters, which allows the director’s most ambitious plans to be realized.
During the theater season, a local troupe gives performances here and touring groups perform here. Classical music concerts, opera and flamenco performances are often held.
Practical information
Address: Cadiz, Plaza Fragela, Gran Teatro de Falla.
Visiting the theater is only possible as part of a performance. You can get acquainted with the repertoire on his Facebook page.
The Roman theater was discovered by accident when the foundry workshops were dismantled in 1980. It is located next to the Church of Santa Cruz.
The Cádiz Roman Theater (Teatro Romano de Cádiz) is located in the Populo district. His in the 1st century. BC. Lucius Cornelius Balbus the Younger wished to build it. At that time, the theater could accommodate up to 20 thousand people, was more than 120 m in diameter and was one of the largest Roman theaters, surpassed only by Cordoba. According to archaeologists, the building confirmed the greatness of Gades (as the Romans called Cadiz), whose population was about 50 thousand people.
Cadiz at that time was the main trading link of the Atlantic, a thriving Roman city. In the IV century. AD the theater stage fell into disrepair, and the Arabs built their buildings on the ruins until the 13th century, when King Alfonso X ordered the construction of a fortress here.
The Roman theater was discovered by accident when the foundry workshops were dismantled in 1980. The construction is in many ways similar to Greek theaters, although with some features of Roman buildings. Thus, uneven soil was used in construction, and steep cliffs became the basis for the amphitheater. The upper and middle parts of the amphitheater were covered with crushed ceramics and lime, and the lower part adjacent to the orchestra was used for benches.
The amphitheater itself is created in the shape of a horseshoe. This shape allows for good acoustics. The structure is oriented towards the sea to the north, so that from it one can observe the entire Bay of Hades. The outer wall, in addition to its main function, was a place for posters, and they were painted directly on it. Openings were created on the outer wall connected to the amphitheater to illuminate the gallery.
The theater building was richly decorated. In the Cadiz Museum there is part of a marble cornice decorated with delicate floral designs. Among the decorative elements found there is also a fragment of a statue showing a male figure. Two rabbits sit at its base, eating fruits and leaves. The remains of a ceramic dish decorated with domestic rabbit bones and snail shells are very interesting. The residents of Hades valued rabbit and snails so highly that they turned the dish into a decorative element of the theater’s interior.
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Three thousand years ago the first settlers appeared here. Did they know that their buildings and structures would survive for so long and continue to amaze humanity? The Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Spaniards - all had a hand in how this Spanish city looks today. You may not find its name on the first lines of the ratings of the most popular cities among tourists! But travelers from all over the world have long loved it for its antiquity, uniqueness, originality and amazing nature.
Cadiz attractions (Cadiz)
There are, of course, wonderful beaches that are beloved by tourists. But I want to dwell not on them, but on man-made attractions. This ancient city with a thousand-year history is worthy of skipping the description of the beaches and devoting time to reviewing the unique and beautiful monuments of architecture, history and culture. I’ll take a quick look at the fortresses and museums, mention, of course, the Cathedral, talk about the most extraordinary object (the Besser Rock), touch on the topic of parks and theaters - I’ll draw up a rough itinerary for the sights of Cadiz. A little bit of everything so that you get a certain idea about this Andalusian city, in which two cultures and two styles are mixed - Arabic and European. If you plan your trip wisely, you can travel around all the legendary sights of the city of Cadiz (Spain) in just a few hours.
Cathedral of the Holy Cross (Catedral de la Santa Cruz)
The first thing worth visiting among the attractions in Cadiz is, according to many, of course, the main cathedral of the city.
Suffice it to say that the cathedral is a Cathedral - and it will no longer need further description. The status of the Cathedral speaks for itself and means that this religious building is graceful, solid, monumental, pompous, the most important of its kind in the city. Catedral de la Santa Cruz is one of the largest cathedrals in Spain. It was built over a century. And he began to work only in the first half of the 19th century.
As usual, it mixed different architectural trends.
Surprisingly, you won’t see gilding, intricate decorations or other luxury on the façade. The grandeur of the appearance is created by elements of skillful carving and a smooth, classic silhouette.
The internal museum, traditional for such temples, houses unique works of sculptors and painters. Moreover, the ashes of the famous composer Manuel de Falla rest here. By the way, the Grand Theater of Cadiz is named after him, which I will talk about at the end of my note.
Tourists can see the Cathedral building itself from afar. Its two tall bell towers and bright mustard-yellow dome are excellent landmarks visible from a distance. Visitors are allowed to climb one of the towers (North) to view the city landscapes and surroundings from above.
Fortress of San Sebastian (Fortaleza de San Sebastian)
The castle's roots go back to the Middle Ages. He stands silently, not divulging all the secrets and events that he has seen in his lifetime. And the castle stands opposite the central city beach called “La Caleta”. If he could speak, we would have long ago learned everything that Cadiz experienced - this tasty morsel for the Mediterranean countries. Local legends say that before the castle, in this very place there was a Temple of a formidable god named Chronos (father of Zeus). Then the Venetians immediately built a chapel to shelter from the raging plague epidemic.
There is a lot of mysticism here, which we are even tired of talking about. And why remember? It’s better to tell us what we have today. And it has a castle-fortress, open to visitors. The beach near this ancient fort is quite picturesque. Being on the coast, you can see all the beauty of both the bay and the city itself. Convenient location of the attraction.
By the way, according to one of the main versions today, the fortress grew from a lighthouse, which was built here in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th, the lighthouse acquired electricity. At that time, it was the second electrified lighthouse existing in Spain. Today the lighthouse is located outside the castle. Its height exceeds 40 meters.
You can get to San Sebastian on foot on an artificially created artificial highway. If you are lucky, then at the time of your visit one of the many exhibitions of paintings or sculptures, or some other event may be taking place on the territory of the fortress.
Fortress of Santa Catalina
Santa Catalina is one of the most visited tourist sites. It can be classified as “attractions near Cadiz”.
This is a whole complex of defense structures. It was built in the 16th century. Then the townspeople were able to defend their city, protecting it from a powerful and sudden attack by sea robbers. Apparently, then the idea was born to strengthen Cadiz for real, in an adult way and for centuries. However, in reality everything turned out not as planned. Something went wrong in the construction, and the final appearance of the fortress faintly resembled a formidable fortification.
Today any tourist is allowed into the fortress. As a rule, visitors strive to get to the top of the building to look at the panoramic views of the Atlantic. And in the evening there is, of course, an amazingly beautiful sunset and successful selfie photos.
This is today, but at the time of the appearance of the Santa Catalina fortress, it was a serious help for the townspeople in their task of protecting their hometown. Fortress walls, forts, watchtowers - all this significantly increased their chances of victory over the invaders.
Rock of Becerra (La roca de Becerra)
Becerra Rock is an amazing attraction, unusual and unconventional, as it has now become fashionable to say. It was not built specially, it was not dedicated to an outstanding event, and fabulous sums and effort were not spent on its creation. Nature itself “threw” the landmark to the townspeople, and they managed to use it to their advantage.
It all started with a dangerous nuisance when a huge piece of stone fell from a mountain onto the city. No one was injured, but one of the buildings was damaged. They did not get rid of the stone - they repaired the destroyed structure, and even added new floors on top of the stone. All for the sake of exoticism. How they looked into the water. The exotica truly turned out to be unique and impressive. Crowds of tourists began to come here. And over time, this wonderful object was included in all guidebooks and reference books as an official landmark of Cadiz.
Come and see for yourself - you are unlikely to see this anywhere else.
Genoves Park
Genoves is a city park in the central part of the city. Next to the park is Kalet Beach. What can we say? This is not a historical park with outstanding architecture and landscape. This is simply a well-groomed city park, which is groomed and cherished, keeping it orderly and clean. The locals are very kind to Genoves. The trees and bushes here are all bizarre shapes and outlines. There are exotic trees, flowers, and a palm garden. There are waterfalls with a bridge and a duck pond. Interestingly, there are an unusually large number of cats in the park. I didn't understand why. Either they were brought here intentionally, or the cats are simply comfortable here. And this says a lot. We all know that cats will not live in a place with bad energy.
Tower of Tavira (Torre Tavira)
Tavira is an unusual tower. Yes, it is one of six dozen other city towers. All of them date back to the Middle Ages. But for some reason many tourists want to go to this tower. The answer lies in its “trick” - it is a camera obscura. Medieval engineers built something similar to modern photographic equipment. The device projects picturesque views of the surrounding area onto a special screen made of linen fabric. An interesting invention that you don't see often. Come here, climb to the height of the 45-meter Tavira and look at the Cadiz panorama yourself or with the help of a pinhole camera.
The appearance of the tower is also worthy of attention. It is snow-white, with an elegant plastered facade, patterns, stucco molding and decorative bricks.
The tower has long been commercialized. There is an administration office, a ticket office, and a souvenir shop. In the premises of Tavira there are many photographs, paintings and other exhibits that will tell you about its history and the fate of the entire city. And when you go out onto the terrace, you can use stationary binoculars to get a better look at the city landscapes in all details.
Old Town (Ciudad Vieja)
An area with old buildings is interesting, no matter what city it is in. It is always a special atmosphere and flavor. There is such an area in Cadiz. It occupies an entire peninsula, stretching for 9 km. At one time, Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine and Arab masters made their contribution to its structure. Elements of their traditional architecture can be found in the ancient buildings of the Old Town. 1100 years ago, the first settlers began to build, raise and improve their “dwelling”.
Those old quarters that have survived to this day appeared here in the 15th century. This applies to surviving independent buildings and areas. But there are elements and details of individual buildings that are of a fairly early age.
Today they talk about four surviving old quarters: Santa Maria, Populo, Vigna, Mentidera. How to find their exact location? It's better to look on a map or in guidebooks. But it’s easier not by district, but as a whole - the Old Town. But all the ancient sights are collected together.
Roman Theater (El teatro romano)
This object, like no other, testifies to the oldest age of the city. Cadiz is already 3,000 years old. You can find the Roman Theater in the Barrio del Populo quarter. There is an extremely popular object among tourists on the very ocean coast. And around it are Andalusian houses with high-quality typical plaster on the walls. The humid coastal climate and winds did their job - the theater could have been preserved better if not for their influence.
The date of construction of the Roman theater is the 1st century. This is the heyday of the ancient city. Capacity – up to 20 thousand spectators. The diameter of the spectator stand is 120 meters. Then the object was considered the very best not only in Spain, but throughout the entire Roman Empire. Even Cicero and Strabo give a description of it in their memoirs. This means that the building was truly significant and special.
In the 13th century, a fortress was erected on the ruins of the theater by order of the Castilian ruler. This completely hid the theater from the eyes of the people. And so the Roman Theater would have sunk into oblivion if builders had not discovered it during the restoration of a residential building in the 80s of the 20th century. Since then, restorers have been working hard to restore it and bring it back to its divine form.
Museum (Museo de Cadiz)
This museum is considered the best of its kind in the entire province. In some ways it looks like museums of the former USSR. First of all, the lack of modern innovations. Everything here is, so to speak, the old fashioned way. In short, an ordinary museum about the history of the city and its citizens.
And the value of the exhibitions is that visitors can see the most ancient Phoenician sarcophagi, frescoes, paintings by Rubens and other authors, Greek amphorae, figurines of deities, ancient jewelry, and so on. There is also an interesting collection of dolls that were used during traditional carnivals. In general, there is everything here to trace the history of the population of this area along the entire route.
Well, perhaps, the museum is also attractive due to its venerable age. The first exhibits began to be collected and exhibited in the first half of the 19th century. True, until the 70s of the 20th century, all exhibits were exhibited in separately existing museums - archaeological and fine arts. It was later that they were united into a single Museum of Cadiz.
Souvenirs and books about the history of the city can be purchased in the shop located on the ground floor.
Grand Theater de Falla (El gran teatro de Falla)
The intricacy of Spanish and Arabic motifs, the amazing architectural style of Mudejar - this direction was chosen for the construction of the Grand Theater named after Manuel de Falla.
Tourists usually praise both the appearance of the building and the talents of the artists performing here. The Bolshoi troupe is considered one of the best theater troupes in all of Spain.
Construction of the theater began towards the end of the 19th century. The old one burned to the ground, and the city was left with nothing. They announced a competition among projects, chose a winner, and began to build.
The theater received its first spectators only in 1910. A major restoration took place in the 80-90s of the 20th century.
Yes, the theater building is really pompous and ambitious. This is a special feature in the portrait of the entire city.
The facade of the building is alternating red and yellow stone, striped arches. Such a variety of bright colors creates the impression of a holiday.
The main lobby has stucco, elegant lamps, and furniture from the early 20th century. The chairs in the hall for 1200 people are covered with red velvet, stucco and gilding are everywhere. Start examining the details not with a hanger, but with a luxurious chandelier. Allegory is cleverly used here to depict heaven. And the stage, its dimensions are impressive - 18x25m. Directors have freedom here to realize their large-scale stories.
If your trip to the city falls in February, be sure to go to the city carnival competition. Folk and professional artists - everyone can compete for the right to take part in the carnival procession.
The Spanish city of Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the second millennium BC. It was owned by the Vandals, Visigoths, Arabs, and Romans. The city was subject to pirate raids. During the Great Geographical Discoveries, Spanish expeditions to America departed from Cadiz. In the 19th century, the Spanish navy was based there. At this time it was the main port of the country.
Today it is the administrative center of the province of Cadiz and a port on the Atlantic coast of Spain. According to the National Institute of Statistics, it is home to about 119 thousand people. Situated on a picturesque peninsula, Cadiz is a wonderful place for recreation and tourism. There are many memorable places and attractions here.
In Cadiz, 128 watchtowers have been preserved since the Middle Ages. Of these, the 45-meter Tavira Tower stands out. This snow-white building is made in the classic style characteristic of Andalusia. The tower is perfectly visible from any place in the city. Its upper gallery is a wonderful viewing platform from where you can see the entire city. A unique feature of the tower is the presence of a medieval camera obscura, which allows views of the city to be projected onto a screen.
Location: Calle Marques del Real Tesoro - 10.
The architecture of the Grand Theater of Cadiz, named after the composer Manuel de Fallo, is extraordinary and immediately attracts attention. It reflects the Arab influence on traditional Spanish architecture.
The result was an amazing example of a distinctive Andalusian style. The theater team is considered one of the best in the country. Its artists become laureates of theater festivals and competitions. Every February there is a spectacle-competition for artists to participate in the city carnival.
This park on the Cadiz waterfront is distinguished by the fact that many of its plants were brought from America. Thanks to the fertile Mediterranean climate, they have taken root here perfectly and delight visitors with their luxurious vegetation.
Huge dracaenas, ficuses, palm trees, plane trees, and cypresses are affected. The park is neat and well maintained. Coniferous trees are trimmed in an amazing way. It is pleasant to stroll along its paved paths between waterfalls and fountains, which are illuminated in the evening. From here you can clearly see the San Sebastian Castle.
Location: Dr. Gómez Ulla, 13.
Directly opposite the central beach of La Caleta, on a small island stands the medieval fortress of San Sebastian. There is a legend that there was a temple of the god Chronos at this place.
The Venetians who survived the plague built a chapel here. The castle and the adjacent picturesque beach, which can be reached on foot along a causeway, invariably attract tourists. From here you have amazing views of the city and the bay.
Location: Paseo Fernando Quiñones.
The city's annual February carnival takes place over the course of a week. Its scope and colorfulness, abundance of masks and all sorts of festive tinsel attracts a huge number of tourists to the city.
It is believed that the traditions of holding a carnival in the city were founded by Venetian and Genoese merchants. A memorable element of the carnival is the festive procession with the display of current miniatures and parodies. Traditionally, artists for the carnival are selected through a competition held at the Grand Theater of Cadiz.
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross stands out with its mustard yellow dome and two tall bell towers. The temple is clearly visible from every place in the city. It was built intermittently for over a hundred years.
As a result, its appearance represents a mixture of different architectural styles. This gives a special charm to this building. Here the neoclassical bell towers are combined with rococo, and the strict central vault with a base made in the baroque style. There is an interesting museum of religious utensils. Famous people are buried in the temple.
Location: Plaza Catedral.
One evidence of the reliable fortification of Cadiz and its ability to withstand enemy attacks is the fortress of Santa Catalina. It is located on La Caleta beach and stands out among other defensive structures.
This is the oldest medieval fortification building in the city. It was capable of providing all-round defense thanks to its star-shaped shape and five powerful bastions. On the contrary, in the middle of the bay there is another fortress - San Sebastian. Today, Santa Catalina is a favorite location for filming and festivals.
Location: Playa de La Caleta.
This museum is not famous for its modern multimedia systems, but for real artifacts that help to understand the rich history of the city. In 1970, it emerged as a result of the combination of the collections of the museums of archeology and fine arts.
Its exhibition includes unique Phoenician sarcophagi and numerous works of art. Here you can see rare frescoes by Francisco de Zurbaban from the monastery of Jerez de la Frontera, works by Murillo and Rubens. The museum's funds are constantly replenished.
Location: Plaza de Mina.
This is the name of one of the most famous churches in Cadiz. It was built in the 18th century. Its architecture is characterized by a neoclassical style. Its history is connected with two outstanding masterpieces of visual and musical art.
In its Upper Chapel you can see a triptych by Francisco Goya. Inside the temple is an impressive crucifix, which inspired Joseph Haydn's musical work, The Seven Last Words of the Cross.
Location: Calle Rosario - 10.
Plaza San Juan de Dios
This medieval square is located in the center of the old part of the city. This is one of the most pleasant places to stay in Cadiz. It is bordered by many cozy cafes where city guests and residents love to sit and watch the sparkling fountain jets.
In the evening, when the fountains are illuminated in color, the square is filled with people. A notable architectural monument here is the neoclassical town hall built in 1800.
Cadiz beaches can rightfully be classified as important city attractions. They are located in the city and are not spoiled by numerous hotels, shops and restaurants. Tourists are attracted to the beaches for their cleanliness and picturesque location.
The warm Mediterranean climate makes them a favorite holiday destination for Spaniards and visitors to Cadiz. The most popular beaches are Caleta, Cortadura and Victoria. They have everything necessary for a good rest on the water.
Puerta de Tierra means “earth gate” in Spanish. This is the name of the ancient gate in the mighty fortress wall that was built around the city. Its strong masonry provided protection for Cadiz from land and sea.
Over time, the wall suffered partial destruction. However, the gate is well preserved and fulfills its function, allowing cars and pedestrians to enter the old quarters and new areas of the city.
Location: Plaza de San Juan de Dios - 11.
To get confirmation of the ancient history of Cadiz, it is enough to see a real Roman theater in the Barrio del Populo quarter. It was built on the ocean in the first century, when the city flourished. The theater was one of the largest in the Roman Empire and the largest in Spain. It accommodated 20 thousand spectators.
Today this ancient structure is surrounded by snow-white Andalusian houses. After restoration and restoration of spectator rows, performances are held there, attracting tourists and city residents.
Location: Calle Meson, 11-13.
Ancient Cadiz is beautiful with its colorful Old Town quarters. Evidence of the presence of different peoples who left their mark on history is everywhere visible here. The People's Quarter shows traces of the prosperity of the Middle Ages, and the Santa Maria Quarter is where you can learn about the history of flamenco. Despite the fact that the unique quarters of the Old Town date back to the Middle Ages, you can find sights from earlier periods here.
In its modern form, this city university has been operating since 1979 and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Spain. It allows 18 thousand students to obtain diplomas in 69 professions in the humanities, medicine and technology. The university originates from the medical college founded in 1749.
Location: C/ Ancha, 16.
