Caminando por las calles

Drizzle after classes today and I felt a cold coming on.  Managed a siesta and decided to get out and about,when it became dry and warm. I immediately felt better to be in the environment of Casco Antiguo.  It's unique and friendly.  

And I can see why they use it in film sets to pose as Habana.  

In the distance you can see San Lorenzo Martir. 

But I decided to head for the eighteenth century Hospital de Mujeres.  It is one of the finest Baroque buildings in the city, built as a hospital for women arriving in the port who got sick and frequently died in the doorways of public buildings. The hospital’s main chapel , dedicated to San Francisco, is an exuberant Baroque extravaganza and displays a brilliant El Greco, St Francis in Ecstasy.  

This painting is to be found in the main chapel, where I sat for a while thinking about my Mum. 

The hospital has  two elegant patios linked by an unusual double sided staircase.  

It has been painstakingly restored from a state of dilapidation. 

Afterwards, I investigated Maier, a craft brewery but it was shut up.  Have sent an email and hope to visit before I leave.  I am very encouraged to discover that Cadiz has such a place.  !!! 

I therefore cheered myself up in my local with a Galicia beer which was not bad at all.  

Today I was too late for La Iglesia de San Felipe Neri and the Museo de las Cortes de Cádiz, so I hope to visit tomorrow, my last day.   I am so keen to learn about how democracy moved forward in Spain in the early 19th century; the UK still has no constitution; but I also must 'ir de tapas com mis amigos' 

Vamos a ver.