How to see the Camera Obscura in Torre Tavira (Cádiz): schedules, prices

Regular readers of Travel Guides You already know that, if possible, I like to start the visit of a city by going up to some terrace or gazebo to start seeing the best panoramas.

The question is often whether the city visited has an appropriate viewpoint for it, and in this way have the first visual contact with it, which puts you in a better position for the subsequent visit.

In the case of the Cadiz cityWithout a doubt that place is the Tavira Tower, which is strategically located in the geographical center and is the highest point in the historic center of this Andalusian city.

To understand the meaning of Tavira Tower, we must take into account the long tradition of Commercial City that has Cadiz since the time of the Phoenicians and the Romans.

History of the Tavira Tower in Cádiz

But actually the origin of the Tavira Tower is in the great boom that commercial activity had in Cadiz during the 1717th century, when from XNUMX through its port it acquired the monopoly of maritime trade with America, which until then it had had. Sevilla.

By then, the Council of the Indies and Contracting House they settled in Cadiz, which led to many Spanish and foreign merchants arriving.

These began to rise towers in their homes in order to control the arrival of the ships.

At that time there were up to 160 towers, most of them in houses in the northern and eastern areas, closer to the port.

Today, 129 towers are preserved in Cádiz, many of which can only be seen from the terraces of the buildings.

La Tavira Tower It was part of a typical merchant house, specifically, of the palace of the marquises of Recalo.

On the ground floor of these merchant houses were the offices and warehouses; The first floor was the residence of the lords of the house; and on the second floor, with a less noble decoration, were the servants' rooms.

Finally, on the terrace the tower stood, which became a symbol of the merchant's wealth.

In particular, the Tavira Tower It was declared an official watchtower in 1778.

After years in which the building was abandoned, you can now visit the tower very close to the flower square from the center of Cádiz.

How to visit the Camera Obscura in Torre Tavira de Cádiz

It was in 1994 when it was opened to the public after its rehabilitation to incorporate a very curious tourist attraction, a dark camera.

La Dark camera It works with the use of lenses and a tube that reaches outside, so that in a dark room, real moving images from outside are projected onto a curved white table.

The result is a very curious optical effect that allows you to see panoramic views of the city.

La first camera obscura settled in Edinburgh in 1853, and today this device can be seen in operation in various cities around the world, such as Cape, Brighton, Havana, Lisbon o San Francisco.

In Spain you can also see a camera obscura in some cities, such as Santander, Seville, Jaén or Jerez de la Frontera.

In this way you visit of the Tavira Tower It will be developed in various phases.

Is guided tours which begin on the first floor where they will explain What is a camera obscura and how does it work?.

In the room on the second floor of the tower you will delve into the history of Cadiz as a commercial city between the 18th and 19th centuries and you will learn about the function and characteristics of the lookout towers.

You will then enter the dark camera, where you can see this curious device in operation, and in this way get to know the different monuments and areas that can be seen in the city.

Finally you will go up to the viewing terrace, from where you will already have, without a doubt, the best panoramic views of Cádiz.

In short, a very interesting visit to understand the history of this Andalusian city.

Torre Tavira visit schedules

The Tavira Tower visiting hours They are, from October to April, from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., and from May to September, from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m.

The last session of the Dark camera It's half an hour before closing.

Torre Tavira ticket prices

The ticket prices are (2020), the general, 7 euros; the reduced price, 5,50 euros, for seniors +65, students, large families and people with disabilities.

Si vas a visit the Camera Obscura On a holiday or vacation time, I advise you to book in advance the time of your visit as the capacity of the Camera Obscura is limited.