Cádiz is widely regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe. It was founded by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC.
It was from here on the west coast of Andalucia that Christopher Columbus set sail on his second and fourth voyages to the New World. However, it took more than two centuries for Cádiz to reap the benefits. This happened when the Spanish government transferred the monopoly on trade with its American territories from Sevilla to Cádiz, which had better access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Although the Spanish Empire was already in decline, the trade led to significant economic growth and brought the city another golden age. Many of the historic buildings in the old town date from this period.
The city’s strategic location on the Atlantic coast made it a prime target for naval attacks. The response to these threats was the construction of strong defensive structures. The main fortifications include two castles (Castillo de Santa Catalina and Castillo de San Sebastian) and a wall that encircled the coastline, interspersed with watchtowers, ramparts and bastions. There were also other defensive structures such as the Baluarte de la Candelaria fortress and city walls with gates.
Reflects its history as
a fortified port
Together with the civil structures, these elements give Cádiz a distinctive character that reflects its history as a fortified port. The fortifications proved effective, as subsequent attacks by English and French forces in the 18th and 19th centuries were successfully repelled.
