cadiz, spain orientation · give: pastries, cakes, chocolates, flowers, drinks, etc. spanish time...

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Cadiz, Spain

CADIZ, SPAIN ORIENTATION



Cadiz, Spain

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Living in Spain o History o Spanish Culture o Cultural Differences o Religion o Language: El Castellano o Map of Spain o Conversions & Measures o Shopping Sizes

Cadiz – Your Host City o History o Food o Beaches o Language o Orientation o Nearby Sites

School Info o Universidad de Cantabria Information o Classes o Grading & Participation

Excursion Guide o Madrid o Segovia o Bilbao o Biarritz & St. Jean de Luz o Toledo

Important Contacts Sheet



Cadiz, Spain

Living in Spain History Spanish history dates back to the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century when Spain was held by a barbaric white tribe, the Visigoths. Though they were Christians, their brand of Christianity was cruel and unjust. For this reason, Spain's Jews, serfs, and slaves aided the Islamic conquerors called Moors, and took over Spain. The Moors ruled for more than 700 years and were perhaps the greatest influence on artistic and intellectual strength in Spain. Despite periods of instability, Spain flourished as a center of learning, trade and culture characterized by a blend between the Christian and Arab worlds. Following Columbus’ revealing of the New World in 1492, the century saw a culmination of Spain's power and influence on a global scale. For 150 years, no Spanish army was defeated in a pitched battle. Spanish kings controlled all or parts of what are now Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy and France, and was a great power in Europe for a long time. Unfortunately, imperial ambitions brought on excess that eventually slowed the strength of Spain. By the late 1800s, the country nearly lost all of its colonial possessions. The 20th century began with an economic disaster as its traditional culture clashed with modern political and social forces. The culminating turmoil snapped in 1936 at the start of the horrific Spanish Civil war. Fascist dictator, General Francisco Franco, ruled until he died in 1975. Spain was then taken over by King Juan Carlos I, who led Spain toward democracy. As a fruit of its new freedoms, the country celebrated a cultural renaissance in the 1980s and 1990s.

Spanish Culture Spain has much more to offer than its famed Flamenco music, dance, bullfights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine. It is, and has been for thousands of years, one of the cultural centers of Europe. Spain has an extraordinary artistic heritage. The dominant figures of the golden age were the Toledo-based artists El Greco and Diego Velasquez. Francisco Goya emerged in the 18th century as Spain's most prolific painter and he produced some wonderfully unflattering portraits of royalty. The art world in the early 20th century was influenced by a remarkable group of Spanish artists: Pablo Picasso, Juan Gris, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí.



Cadiz, Spain

Spain's architecture ranges from prehistoric monuments in the Balearic Islands, the Roman ruins of Tarragona, the decorative Lonja in Sevilla, Gothic cathedrals, castles, to the fantastic modernist monuments such as Gaudí's intricate architectural style. Spanish food has a deservedly fantastic reputation, and tapas (small portions of food which are served in bars before lunch and dinner) are probably one of the most civilized inventions. Paella, gazpacho and chorizo may be familiar to most Western diners, but Spanish cuisine goes well beyond these, with a wide assortment of rich stews, soups, beans, seafood and meats, all of which have been influential in Latin American cooking. The guitar was invented in the 1790s when a sixth string was added to the Moorish lute, and gaining its modern shape in the 1870s. Spanish musicians have taken the humble guitar to dizzying heights of virtuosity and none more so than Andrés Segovia who established classical guitar as a genre. Flamenco, music rooted in the cante jondo (deep song) of the gitanos (gypsies) of Andalusia, is also experiencing a revival.

Cultural Differences As mentioned before, there are a number of cultural differences between Spain and the US. Here are a few culture tips to make your transition a little smoother: The Spanish People (La gente española)

Personal pride and individualism are highly valued.

Modesty is valued over assertiveness. Flaunting superiority, intelligence, or ability is not appreciated.

Be patient. Nothing is done in a hurry. Spanish trademarks are procrastination and delay. Meeting and Greeting (Reuniones y Saludos)

Men may embrace each other when meeting (friends and family only).

Women may kiss each other on the cheek and embrace.

Expect to be interrupted when speaking. Body Language (Gestos-Gestures)

Never touch, hug or pat a Spaniard you do not know well, unless a friendly Spaniard touches you first.

Generally, Spaniards stand very close when talking. (As close as 12 inches!)

Spaniards speak a lot with their hands. Dining and Entertainment (Gastronomía y Entretenimiento)

It is acceptable and common to be late by 15-30 minutes for social meetings.



Cadiz, Spain

Lunches/dinners are vital to establishing a relationship. It is a time to see if the chemistry is correct and to develop trust.

No bread and butter plate is used. Bread is set directly on the table. Restaurants generally charge for bread by the piece.

Spaniards don't waste food. It is better to decline food rather than leave it on your plate. Dress (Vesitir)

Appearance is extremely important to Spaniards. They dress elegantly, even for casual occasions.

Dress conservatively. Avoid bright or flashy colors.

Shoes are the most important element of dress. Shabby looking shoes can ruin a very nice outfit. Gifts (Regalos)

When invited to someone's home, it is common to bring a small gift.

Give: pastries, cakes, chocolates, flowers, drinks, etc. SPANISH TIME Perhaps because of the benign climate and the long hours of sunshine in Spain, Spaniards tend to get up later in the morning and stay out later at night than the rest of their European neighbors. Shops and businesses are usually opened from 9-9:30 am to 1:30pm and from 4:30-5pm to 8-8:30pm though it has become more and more common for businesses to stay open through the traditional "siesta" hours. Business establishments are usually closed for a day and half per week, most often Saturday afternoon and Sunday, while many shops close only on Sunday. In tourist areas and during the summer, business hours are often expanded to 10-11pm with stores open 7 days a week. Restaurant hours are varied, with the norm being from 1:30 to 3:30pm for lunch and from 8:30 to 11:30pm for dinner. In summer, these hours are often expanded, with many establishments offering continuous service and still other serving food into the small hours of the night.

Religion Catholicism is the predominant religion in Spain and is celebrated in the many churches and cathedrals you will see and visit. Regardless of your beliefs, experiencing a religious service in your country of study is an important part of understanding the culture. Due to Spain’s history and strategic location on the Iberian Peninsula, its religious history is solidified by its beautiful cathedrals that coat the Spanish countryside.

Language: El Castellano The emergence of modern Spanish, or castellano, more or less coincided with the re-conquest of Moorish Spain, which was completed by Isabella of Castile & Ferdinand of Aragón. The city of Toledo is



Cadiz, Spain

where the first set of Spanish grammar books were recorded. Isabella & Ferdinand pronounced Castilian (Spanish) the official language of the territory and that language still remains today. Spanish is one of the most widely dispersed languages with nearly 400 million speakers around the world. The largest numbers of Spanish speakers are in Mexico followed by “la madre patria,” the mother country, Spain.



Cadiz, Spain

Map of Spain



Cadiz, Spain

CONVERSIONS, MEASURES & SHOPPING SIZES Spain, along with the rest of Europe, uses the metric system. Measurements of clothes and shoe sizes are also different.

Weight multiply by

ounces to grams 28.35 grams to ounces 0.035 pounds to kilograms 0.45 kilograms to pounds 2.21

Length & Distance multiply by

inches to centimeters 2.54 centimeters to inches 0.39 feet to meters 0.30 meters to feet 3.28 miles to kilometers 1.61

kilometers to miles 0.62

Volume multiply by gallons to liters 3.79 liters to gallons 26

Temperature oC to

oF multiply by 1.8 and add 32

oF to

oC subtract 32 and divide by 1.8

Fahrenheit: 0 14 32 41 50 68 77 86 95 104 Centigrade -17 -10 0 5 10 20 25 30 35 40

Clothes: Women’s Dresses US: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Europe: 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 Men’s Shirts US: 14 14.5 15 15.5 16 16.5 17 17.5 18 Europe: 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 Men’s Pants US: 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Europe: 71 73 76 79 81 84 86 89 91

Shoes: Women’s Shoes US: 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 Europe: 35 35.5 36 37 37.5 38 39 39.5 40 Men’s Shoes US: 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 10.5 11 Europe: 40 40.5 41 42 42.5 43 44 44.5 45



Cadiz, Spain

CADIZ-YOUR HOST CITY

Cadiz is famed for being the oldest city in Europe. It stands on a peninsula jutting out into a bay of the Atlantic, and is almost entirely surrounded by water. First named Gadir by the Phoenicians, who founded their trading post in 1100 BC, it was later controlled by the Carthaginians, until it became a thriving Roman port. It sank into oblivion under the Visigoths and Moors, but attained great importance in the early 16th century as a launching point for the journey to the newly discovered lands of America. Cadiz was later raided by Sir Francis Drake, in the struggle to gain control of trade with the New World, and managed to withstand a siege by Napoleon's army. In the early 19th century Cadiz became the bastion of Spain's anti-monarchist,

liberal movement, as a result of which the country's first Constitution was declared here in 1812. Some of the city's 18th century walls still stand, such as the Landward Gate. The old, central quarter of Cadiz is famous for its picturesque charm, and many of the buildings reflect the city's overseas links. Worth a visit are the city's Cathedral and churches of Santa Cruz and San Felipe Neri, which is famous throughout Spain as the place where, in defiance of Napoleon's siege, the provisional government was set up with its own liberal Constitution. Other points of interest are La Santa Cueva, home to several paintings by Goya, and stately mansions such as the Casa del Almirante and Casa de las Cadenas. The old city looks quite Moorish in appearance and is intriguing with narrow cobbled streets opening onto small squares. The golden cupola of the cathedral looms high above long white houses and the whole place has a slightly dilapidated air. It just takes an hour to walk around the headlands where you can visit the entire old town and pass through some lovely parks with sweeping views of the bay. Unlike most other ports of its size it seems immediately relaxed and easy going, not at all threatening, even at night. Perhaps this is due to its reassuring shape and size, the presence of the sea making it impossible to get lost for more than a few blocks. It also owes much to the town's tradition of liberalism and tolerance which was maintained all through the years of Franco's dictatorship, despite this being one of the first cities to fall to his forces and was the port through which the Republican armies launched their invasion. Cadiz Carnaval As elsewhere in the Catholic world, carnival is celebrated before the 40 days of Lent. Most Andalusian towns stage some kind of parade, and there is usually a dance and a "Carnival Queen" contest. As one of



Cadiz, Spain

Spain’s major ports during the 16th century, Cadiz copied the carnival of Venice, a city with which it had much trade, and since then it has become the liveliest and most dazzling carnival town in mainland Spain, famous for its amusing and creative figurines and satirical song groups. The carnival is the fiesta of the people. It is a reaction against the abstentions and prohibitions of all types. This fiesta attempts to break social order and liberalize instincts, helped by wearing masks and fancy dress. During the Civil War, General Franco abolished the Carnival in rebel areas. After the war there was still much opposition to the Carnival by the rulers so Franco abolished the Carnival in 1937. The festivities continued in Cadiz however.

SCHOOL & CLASS INFORMATION

CENTRO MUNDOLENGUA is exclusively dedicated to the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language principally for high school and university students, along with specialized courses for groups of professors. They collaborate directly with the Spanish Departments of many prestigious secondary schools and universities/colleges worldwide, working together to organize custom-designed Spanish language programs in Spain. As such, their programs serve as an invaluable and necessary complement to the serious Spanish language student desiring to significantly improve his/her communication skills and cultural knowledge. Centro MundoLengua has created their own curriculum that compliments the AP courses taught in the U.S.. Their highly accredited teachers teach classes in the mornings at their own center located in a private high school in the new part of Cadiz. SPANISH CLASSES Classes will be held Monday-Friday in the mornings for four hours a day including breaks. Directors will inform you of exact class schedules upon arrival. It is important to come prepared for class each morning and to take advantage of each intensive, yet fun, class. The teaching method is unlike what is used in your U.S. classroom. All classes – grammar, culture, conversation – are focused on improving your speaking and understanding of the language. A placement test will be administered on the first day of classes to place students in the appropriate class levels. GRADING & PARTICIPATION Once classes have started it is your responsibility to attend regularly and to take advantage of all learning opportunities by participating actively. No matter how much you already know, you will learn exponentially more Spanish in your classes. These are college level classes and you are expected to behave in an appropriate manner. You will be evaluated on your participation and grades on exams. Grades will not be reflected on your diploma but you must not miss more than 1 day of class to receive credit. IMPORTANT



Cadiz, Spain

Directions to School Your host family will help guide you to school on your first day.

Address: Colegio Salesiano “San Ignacio” Avda. Maria Auxiliadora, 7

Tel. 954 004 265

The school is located in the NEW PART of town near the hospital.

It is important to save all of your coursework, including exams. Most colleges and universities require students to show the work they did while attending a foreign language school.

EXCURSION GUIDE

MADRID ¡Bienvenidos a Madrid, el Centro de España! Madrid sits at the center of the Iberian Peninsula and serves as Spain’s political, intellectual, and cultural hub. Surrounded by cities of far greater importance such as Toledo, Segovia, and Valladolid, Madrid was little more than a fortified village when Felipe II decided in 1561 to make it the permanent capital of the Spanish empire. Madrid is the largest city in Spain and boasts a population of over 3 million people. The city sits atop an arid plateau, making it the highest capital in Europe. Madrid is strategically situated at the hub of both road and rail networks in the country, and incorporates boundless energy, blue skies, art, culture and some of the most exhilarating and exhausting nightlife in Europe. Like any large city, please be observant of your surroundings when touring Madrid. Madrid relatively safe, but pickpockets are active near busy tourist sites. MUSEO DEL PRADO The Museo del Prado is one of the buildings constructed during the reign of Charles III to embellish this area of Madrid. The importance of the Prado is in its “royal collection.” The wealth of foreign art (including Dutch, German, Italian, and French) reflects the historical power of the Spanish crown. Founded as a museum of paintings and sculptures ranging from the 12th to 19th centuries, it also has important collections of drawings, prints, coins and medals, and decorative objects.

INTERESTING FACTS: Many of the museum’s rooms are devoted to 3 of Spain’s greatest artists: Velazquez, El Greco, and Goya. Be sure to make note of Velazquez’s Las Meninas, where he depicts himself in the painting with the king and queen. El Greco’s La Crucifixion and San Andres y San Francisco are his most striking works, characterized by long, slender figures. Finally, Goya is the most extensively represented artist in the Prado. La Maja Vestida and La Maja Desnuda are probably his best known paintings. The portraits are of an unknown woman, but many believed her to be Goya’s lover.



Cadiz, Spain

MUSEO DE ARTE REINA SOFIA On the September 10, 1992, Royal Highnesses King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain inaugurated the Museo de Arte Reina Sofía as a substitute for the Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art. To date, the artistic ground exhibited there has been constantly growing. The gallery’s collections are arranged chronologically from the ground up, starting from the beginning of the 20th century to present day works. INTERESTING FACTS: The highlight of the museum is Picasso’s Guernica. This 1937 Civil War protest painting was inspired by the mass air attack on the Basque town of Gernika-Lumo by German pilots flying for the Nationalist air force. It hung in a New York gallery until 1981, reflecting the artist’s wish that it should not return to Spain until democracy was re-established – after the rule of Franco. LA PUERTA DEL SOL Once the site of a city gate, La Puerta del Sol or “Gateway of the Sun” is Madrid’s most central point. It is also one of the city’s most popular meeting places. The “square” is shaped like a half moon, and in the center proudly stands the statue of Bourbon King Carlos III. This is also the gathering of New Year’s

Eve – where Spaniards swallow a grape on each stroke of the clock, a tradition that is supposed to bring good luck for the rest of the year. INTERESTING FACTS: Look for the small plaque on the southern side marked “Km 0.” This is where distances along the country’s highways are measured. The bronze statue of a bear reaching for a fruit of a strawberry (madrono) tree is the symbol of Madrid PALACIO REAL (ROYAL PALACE)

This vast and lavish royal palace was definitely built to impress. It had been occupied for centuries by a royal fortress, but after a fire in 1734, Felipe V commissioned construction which lasted for 26 year. All the construction was done vaulted, in stone and brick, so that no fire could destroy it. The palace was home to the royal family until 1931, when they moved to the outskirts of Madrid, but the Royal Palace is still used today for various government occasions. INTERESTING FACTS: The Dining Room, decorated in 1879, is filled with chandeliers, ceiling paintings, and tapestries, evoking the grandeur of regal Bourbon entertaining. The Throne Room maintains the original décor of Carlos III, with two gold and scarlet thrones. The Porcelain Room is entirely covered from walls to ceiling in royal porcelain. Most of it is white and green, depicting cherubs and wreaths.



Cadiz, Spain

GRANADA Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and was known as Ilbyr. When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada. It was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon. One of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th C. This mighty compound of buildings – including the summer palace called Generalife, with its fountains and gardens - stands at the foot of Spain's highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, and overlooks the city below and the fertile plain of Granada. At the centre of the Alhambra stands the massive Palace of Charles V, an outstanding example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Other major Christian monuments found in the city are the Cathedral, including the Royal Chapel where Isabel and

Ferdinand lie buried, the Monastery of La Cartuja and many churches built by Moorish craftsmen after the reconquest, in Granada's unique "mudéjar" style. The hill facing the Alhambra is the old Moorish casbah or "medina", called the Albaicin, a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses with secluded inner gardens, known as "cármenes". The Plaza de San Nicolas, at the highest point of the Albaicin, is famous for its magnificent view of the Moorish palace. The Sacromonte hill, which overlooks the city from the North, is famous for its cave dwellings, once the home of Granada's large

gypsy community. The name Granada is ancient and mysterious. It may mean "great castle", for the Roman fortress which once stood on the Albaicin Hill. When the Moors came here, the town was largely inhabited by Jews, for which they called it Garnat-al-Yahud - Granada of the Jews. The Jews are said to have been one of the first peoples to settle in Spain, even before the Romans.

SEVILLA According to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilization. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya with the Moors. Its high point in its history was following the discovery of America. Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace.



Cadiz, Spain

Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain) , plus convents, parish churches and palaces. It has hosted two international exhibitions (1929 and 1992) and is the administrative capital of Andalucía. The quarter of Triana on the other side of the river, La Macarena, Santa Cruz and San Bartolomé, the street of Las Sierpes, plus La Maestranza bullring, María Luisa park and the riverside walks are all representative images of Sevilla.

For all its important monuments and fascinating history, Sevilla is universally famous for being a joyous town. While the Sevillians are known for their wit and sparkle, the city itself is striking for its vitality. It is the largest town in Southern Spain, the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro. The Sevillians are great actors and put on an extraordinary performance at their annual Fería de Abril, a week-long party of drink, food and dance which takes place day and night in more than a thousand especially mounted tents. But above all it allows the men to parade on their fine horses and the women

to dance in brilliantly coloured gypsy dresses. Immediately before that is Holy Week, Semana Santa, a religious festival where hooded penitents march In long processions followed by huge baroque floats on which sit Images of the Virgin or Christ, surrounded by cheerful crowds. Both of the Spring events are well worth experiencing. In Sevilla, you will want to visit the old city, with the Cathedral and the Giralda tower at its heart. (You can climb

the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City). Very close by are the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens and the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades, hidden patios... Other sights not to be missed are, in the old city, the Casa de Pilatos, a large sixteenth-century mansion where Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles blend harmoniously amidst exuberant patios and gardens and, crossing the Triana bridge over the large Guadalquívir River, the lively popular quarter of Triana with charming narrow streets around the church of Santa Ana and traditional ceramic factories.

JEREZ DE LA FRONTERA Jerez de la Frontera became famous throughout the world for its sweet wines named after the town, which the British pronounced "sherry". It is called "de la Frontera" because it once stood on the frontier between the Moorish and the Christian realms. Jerez is also famous, throughout the world, for its fine horses and



Cadiz, Spain

brilliant singers and dancers of flamenco. The distinctive wine in Jerez has been exported for centuries, it was even praised by Shakespeare. It is distinctive because the strong sun gives the grapes a high sugar content. British merchants have been involved in the wine trade here for centuries, producing and shipping a fortified wine known as sherry. Famous names of these dynasties can be seen here over the doors of the bodegas; Sandeman, John Harvey, Domecq, Gonzalez Byass. The Spanish word bodega means "cellar", but its generic meaning is"wine manufacturer". You can take a guided tour of the many Jerez bodegas. Some of the companies such as Gonzalez Byass, Pedro Domecq and Sandeman – British winemakers have been active here for centuries, which is why many of the names have an Anglo-Saxon ring to them – provided guided tours of the cellars on weekdays, followed by sampling of the various types of wine produced.

CORDOBA Cordoba was founded by the Romans and due to its strategic importance as the highest navigable point of the Guadalquivir River, it became a port city of great importance, used for shipping Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Ancient Rome. The Romans built the mighty bridge crossing the river, now called "El Puente Romano". But Cordoba's hour of greatest glory was when it became the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus, and this was when work began on the Great Mosque, or "Mezquita", which – after several centuries of additions and enlargements – became one of the largest in all of Islam. When the city was reconquered by the Christians in 1236, the new rulers of the city were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns, and creating the extraordinary church-mosque we see today. As well as the unique mosque-cathedral, Cordoba's treasures include the Alcazar, or Fortress, built by the Christians in 1328; the Calahorra Fort, originally built by the Arabs, which guards the Roman Bridge, on the far side of the river from the Mezquita, and the ancient Jewish Synagogue, now a museum. Cordoba's medieval quarter, once the home of the Jewish community, is called "La Judería" (The Jewry), a labyrinth of winding, narrow streets, shady flower-filled courtyards and picturesque squares such as La Plaza del Potro. In early May, homeowners proudly festoon their patios with flowers to compete for the city's "most beautiful courtyard" contest.

TOLEDO An important city in the middle ages, Toledo was Spain's capital until the 16th century. Nearly all the different stages of Spanish art are represented in Toledo. In the middle ages, Toledo was a melting pot of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish cultures. The three religions lived together in the same city in harmony, a phenomenon that has yet to re-exist in the world today. In the 16th century the painter El



Cadiz, Spain

Greco came to live in Toledo, and today the city is home to many of his works. Be observant of the various architectural styles present in Toledo due to the Moorish, Christian, and Jewish background. EL GRECO Born in Crete, Greece in 1541, El Greco came to Toledo in 1577 to paint the altarpiece in a convent. Enchanted by the city, he stayed; painting religious portraits and altarpieces for other churches, and soon became one of the most famous artists in Spain. The first completely personal work by the artist

is “El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz” (The Burial of Count Orgaz), located in the Church of Santo Tome. It depicts the soul of Count Orgaz (the baby figure in the middle of the painting) ascending to heaven while his physical body is being lowered into a coffin. The soul is being assisted in its ascent by an angel. The painting is very clearly divided into two zones, the heavenly above and the terrestrial below, but there is little feeling of duality. The upper and lower zones are brought together compositionally. The powerful emotion expressed by the group of participants is sustained through the composition by the splendor, variety and vitality of the color and light. TOLEDO CATHEDRAL This massive cathedral reflects its history as a celebration of Christian power after the re-conquest from the Moors. The entire structure is built like an entranceway to heaven, with the entrances such as Hell, Pardon, or Judgment Door leading you deep inside. The Cathedral was built on the site of a 7th century church, and work began in 1226 until completion in 1493. The long period of construction explains the cathedral’s mixture of styles: French Gothic exterior, and various Spanish styles for the interior. INTERESTING FACTS: Inside, the High Altar reredos, one of the most beautiful polychrome reredos (ornamented wall that rises behind the high altar of a church, forming a background for it), depicts scenes from Christ’s life. Also inside, the Transparente, depicting the uniquely Spanish style, Churrigueresque, is an altarpiece made of marble, jasper, and bronze which stands out from the mainly Gothic interior. “Toledo is a constant reminder of the power of faith and of our own humble existence here on earth.”



Cadiz, Spain

On-Site Director Cell Phone Numbers: (Will be provided upon arrival) SPI Head Director: ____________________ Assistant Director:____________________ Assistant Director:____________________ SPI Main Office: From US: 1-866-502-7505 From Spain: 001-512-502-7505 SPI Email: [email protected]

Centro Mundolengua: Director: David Hirsch & Rocio Cobo (+34) 954 004 265

IMPORTANT CONTACTS Emergency Numbers: General Emergency 061 (Similar to our 911) National Police 091 Local Police 092 Fire 085 Ambulance 061 Policía Municipal Office Plaza San Juan de Puerto Rico Policía Nacional Avda. de Andalucia, 28 Tourist Info Centers: Oficina de Turismo de Junta de Andalucía Main Tourist Office Avda. Ramon de Carranza, s/n Tel. 956 258646 Tourist Dept. of the City Plaza San Juan de Dios, 11 Edificio Amaya Tel. 956 241001 www.cadizayto.es/turismo Hospitals: Hospital Puerta del Mar Avda. Ana de Viya

Hospital de Mora Near Caleta Beach C/Callejón de Hospital Medical Clinic (Old Part) C/Diego Arias (near Gran Teatro Falla)

U.S. Embassy Madrid: c/ Serrano, 75 28006 Madrid SPAIN

Tel. 91 577 40 00 x2090 (Customs)

Public Transportation Main Bus Station (Routes outside of Cadiz) Plaza de la Hispanidad, 1 Info: 956 807059 City Buses (look for your nearest bus stop) €0.85-1/ride Bonobus Pass €5/10 rides Taxis Look for a taxi stand near main plazas before trying to hail one down. To call a cab: 956 212121 OR 956 212123 Post Office Plaza Topete Tel. 902 197197 Train Stations RENFE – Main Railway Station Plaza de Sevilla Tel. 902 240202 For Schedules: www.renfe.es

Tel. 91 587 22 00

mailto:[email protected]

cadiz, spain orientation · give: pastries, cakes, chocolates, flowers, drinks, etc. spanish time...

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