During your time in the center of Cadiz stop by the Plaza de España to see the Monument to the Constitution of 1812. This towering structure is dedicated to the country’s first constitution, a significant step in the development of modern Spain.
The monument was commissioned to celebrate the constitution’s centenary and was unveiled to the public in 1929. Stand in front of the semicircular structure and study its reliefs and sculptures. On each arm of the monument, are bronze equestrian statues representing war and peace and between them are figures of citizens going to war and enjoying the fruits of peace.
Look for the statue of Hercules. According to legend, the mythical Roman and Greek demigod was the founder of the city. However, historians give credit to the Phoenicians, who established the town of Gadir around 3,000 years ago.
In the center of the monument is an empty throne with the coat of arms of the Bourbon family. This represents the legitimacy of Ferdinand VII, a Bourbon king of Spain who was overthrown by Napoleon in 1808 but was restored to the throne in 1813.
The monument’s principal feature is the tall central pillar which has a statue of a woman representing Spain at its base. Cast your gaze to the top of the column, which is crowned by allegorical figures holding aloft the constitutional document.
Leave the monument for a stroll around the plaza to view the architectural styles of the elegant 18th-century buildings that surround it.
The Monument to the Constitution of 1812 is located in the old town of Cadiz close to underground lots where parking is available for a fee. To learn more about the history and establishment of the constitution, walk a few minutes southwest of the landmark attraction for the exhibits and artifacts of the Cortes Museum. Among the items here are flags, medals and a beautiful 18th-century scale model of the city.
