Plaza Viudas

The Plaza de las Viudas, in Cadix

The Plaza de las Viudas is a small peaceful square of old Cadix that, under its simple appearance, keeps striking memories. The Cadix audio-guided tour stops here, with respect and gravity, to evoke the birthplace of the anarchist Fermín Salvochea and the painful memory of the executions that took place there during the Civil War.

The discreet memory of old Cadix

At first sight, this small square seems simple and quiet, but it nevertheless keeps some striking memories. It is here that was born in 1842 Fermín Salvochea, one of the most emblematic figures of the Spanish anarchist movement. This current, very powerful in Spain at the end of the nineteenth century, advocated a more just society founded on individual liberty, equality and the absence of imposed authorities. Very established among the workers and the working classes, notably in Andalusia, it defended solidarity, mutual aid and the collective organisation of work; Salvochea embodied its most humanist and social version, devoted to the common good. But this square was also, more darkly, the witness of executions during the Civil War of 1936, a painful episode of which the district keeps the memory. It is fitting to evoke these pages with gravity and contemplation, in memory of the victims of this tragic period of Spanish history. Today, despite these traces of the past, the Plaza de las Viudas remains a peaceful place where you feel all the discreet and profound soul of old Cadix, far from the tourist bustle. It is a place that invites silence and reflection, where history, even painful, is an integral part of the identity of the town. A place of memory and a haven of quietness, the Plaza de las Viudas is discovered with respect.

What to see

Here you discover, with respect, a small peaceful square of old Cadix, birthplace in 1842 of Fermín Salvochea, a humanist figure of Andalusian anarchism; more darkly, it was the witness of executions during the Civil War of 1936, a painful memory that the district keeps. Far from the crowds, it is a place of quietness and reflection. The Plaza de las Viudas is a place of memory of Cadix. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Plaza de las Viudas lies in old Cadix, away from the great tourist axes, reachable on foot. It is a small public square freely accessible, peaceful, that invites contemplation. You discover it during a walk in the historic centre.

Who was Fermín Salvochea, born on the Plaza de las Viudas in Cadix?

One of the most emblematic figures of the Spanish anarchist movement, born on this square in 1842; he embodied the most humanist and social version of this current very established among the working classes of Andalusia, that advocated solidarity, mutual aid and equality. The square was also, more darkly, the witness of executions during the Civil War of 1936.

Where is the Plaza de las Viudas in Cadix?

In old Cadix, away from the great tourist axes, in Spain.