Cadiz: 10 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About the Oldest City in the West

1. The Oldest City in the West

Cádiz was founded over 3,000 years ago by the Phoenicians and named Gadir. This makes it the oldest continuously inhabited city in the West. Throughout the centuries, it has witnessed the presence of Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, and Christians, leaving a unique cultural imprint.

2. An Island or a Peninsula?

Although it looks like a peninsula at first glance, Cádiz was originally an island. Over the centuries, humans have modified its geography, connecting it to the mainland via a narrow sandbar. But if you look at a map, you'll see that Cádiz is still almost entirely surrounded by water.

3. The Origin of Spain's Most Famous Carnival

The Carnival of Cádiz is one of the most important in the world, but did you know it has Italian influences? In the 16th century, the city had strong trade ties with Genoa, and it was from there that they brought the tradition of dressing up and singing satirical songs. Today, the chirigotas and comparsas remain the heart and soul of this festival.

4. The Great Mirage of the Lookout Towers

During the 18th century, Cádiz experienced its golden age thanks to trade with the Americas. To monitor the arrival of ships, merchants built lookout towers on their houses. Today, some 120 of these towers are still preserved, the most famous being the Tavira Tower, with its camera obscura, an optical system that allows you to see the city in real time.

5. Inspiration for 'Treasure Island'

Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, drew inspiration from Cádiz to describe the port in his famous novel. In the 18th century, the city was teeming with merchants, sailors, and privateers, making it the perfect setting for pirate adventures.

6. The first Spanish Constitution was born here

In 1812, while Spain was invaded by Napoleon, Cádiz became a refuge for liberals and the seat of the Cortes. It was here that La Pepa, the first Spanish Constitution, a revolutionary document for its time, was promulgated.

7. The Roman Theatre Hidden for Centuries

In the heart of the Pópulo neighborhood, beneath several modern buildings, an impressive Roman theater from the 1st century BC was discovered in 1980. It is one of the oldest and largest in Hispania, but it spent centuries buried and forgotten until its accidental discovery.

8. La Caleta Beach in the James Bond Films

If you're a movie fan, you'll surely remember the iconic scene from Die Another Day (2002) where Halle Berry emerges from the water in an orange bikini. Although the film is supposed to be set in Cuba, it was actually filmed on La Caleta beach in Cádiz.

9. Cádiz, the City of Two Sunsets

If you've ever been to Cádiz, you know that the sunsets here are magical. But there's a curious phenomenon: from some points in the city, such as the Castle of San Sebastián, it's possible to see two sunsets in a single evening, thanks to the refraction of light on the horizon.

10. An Aqueduct That Still Works

The Romans built an aqueduct to supply Cádiz with water from the springs of Tempul, in the Sierra de Cádiz mountains. Incredibly, some parts of this hydraulic system are still in use today, more than 2,000 years later.

Cadiz, An Unforgettable Destination

Every corner of Cádiz holds history, culture, and curiosities that make it unique. If after reading this you're eager to discover it in person, we recommend staying at Taiga Conil , Taiga Puerto Santa María , or Taiga Punta Paloma —two perfect options for enjoying the essence of Cádiz in comfort and charm.

Because Cádiz isn't just visited... it's lived!