Cádiz takes up a very special position in the history of Spain. It was there where the first republican Parlament was established, weakening the King. It is said to be the oldest town in Europe and archaeological parts were found which are older than the ones of the Phoenicians.

Cadiz has a special place in Spanish history. It was here that the first republican parliament, the cortes was set up in defiance of the King. The city is believed Europe’s oldest, with archaeological remains going further back than those left by Phoenicians. It was relatively minor in importance during the reign of the Moors in Iberia, but gained importance in the 18th century as it replaced Sevilla as the main port of trade with the Americas. The old city is built on a peninsula

Gaditanos, as the inhabitants are called, are famously cheeky and independent-minded. They defied Franco’s order to suspend the largely satirical carnival they held each. The party is still held to this day, and attracts revellers from all of Spain. You have to be up on politics and Spanish to grasp all the references in the songs written and performed for the occasion by the bands that appear on floats, but the show is spectacular anyway.