Cadiz

In a land drenched in history Cadiz still stands out.  It may be the most historic city, or at least the oldest in Spain.  Founded over three thousand years ago by the Phoenicians it has layers and layers of the civilizations that have lived and conquered here. It lies about two hours by train from Seville and after a day of being nearly housebound by driving rain we decided to go there and explore.  The day started our a bit rainy but most of the rain had cleared by the time we arrived.  The center city still looks as it did in medieval times with narrow winding cobblestone streets hemmed in the four and five story housing constructed of stone.  After the Phoenicians the Romans came and in their typical fashion built huge structures.  One that was recently unearthed is a large amphitheater that looks like it could still be used for theatrical productions.  (See photo above,) It is still being restored.  Despite the narrowness of the streets, the town contains many expansive squares, most of which have monumental statues in the center and many trees, plants and benches to sit on so it is a visual feast and very relaxing.  There is, of course, a bar, restaurant or tapas place about every ten feet, many with outdoor tables.   We had a lovely lunch of tostas at a corner bar near the train station.

It is possible to walk from one end of town to the other in a few hours and we did so.  We did hop on a bus once.  The city is shaped like a small peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on three sides.  It lies on the southwestern corner of Spain, just beyond the straits of Gibraltar.  Looking westward over the ocean and seeing only the tempestuous tossing Atlantic and nothing on the horizon I was struck by the courage and adventurous spirit of the explorers who set out for the new world from here.  Even now, knowing that there is a continent on the other side of the water it is difficult to summon up the bravery it must have taken to set out in tiny wooden ships into that unknown water.