PLAZA DE ESPAÑA, Cádiz, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Plaza de España is a large open square in Cádiz, beside the port and the old town. It is best known for the monument to the Constitution of 1812, which honours the Cortes that met in the city during the Peninsular War. It is a natural starting point for a walk through Cádiz.

The story behind it

Cádiz played a central role in Spanish history in 1812, when the Cortes gathered here and approved the country's first liberal constitution, nicknamed La Pepa. The monument on Plaza de España was begun to mark the centenary of that event and was completed in the late 1920s. It was designed by the architect Modesto López Otero, with sculpture by Aniceto Marinas.

The square also connects to the city's character. Cádiz is affectionately called La Tacita de Plata, the little silver cup. Several theories explain the name. One says it comes from the city's shape, a small cup on a plate of sea, and from the white houses that shine in the light. Another points to the wealth the city gained from its trade with America in the 18th century. Nobody knows which is right, and the composer Manuel de Falla, born in Cádiz, grew up in the city that carries the nickname.

What to look for

• The monument to the Constitution of 1812 is a monumental stone composition with sculpted groups, and it rewards a slow walk around it.
• The sculpture carries allegorical figures linked to the Cortes and to Spain, so look closely at the faces and the carved details.
• The Diputación Provincial building on the square shows the formal civic architecture of the city.
• Look towards the harbour: the square opens to the sea, and you can feel why Cádiz grew as a port city.

Tips for your visit

• The square is an open public space, so visiting is free and you can stop by at any time of day.
• Allow 15 to 30 minutes for the monument and the square, longer if you want to sit and watch the harbour.
• Late afternoon is pleasant, when the light is softer and the heat of the day has eased.
• The port and the old town streets are close on foot, so combine the square with a wander towards the historic centre.

See it on a quest

Discover Cadiz Town Center: A Story Adventure passes through this area on foot. You reach Plaza de España as one stop of a longer route through the centre, the app tells you about the place when you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in front of what you see. One ticket covers the whole group.

Cádiz Detective Mystery: Infiltrate a Secret Society. is a good pick if you like a mystery theme with your sightseeing. You walk to the square as part of the route, hear about it in the app and work out a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.