Skyline of Cádiz in Caleta Bay by Silva Wischeropp

I discovered this maritime motif in the late evening hours of 1 September 2025. The photo was taken with a NIKON D800 (lens: NIKKOR 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8).

A special highlight of a visit to San Sebastián Castle is a walk along the long promenade. At sunset, you can experience a fantastic natural spectacle here. The sun sinking into the sea leaves a lasting impression, and not just on romantics. The view of the city, which is shown in its most beautiful light from the fortress walls, is also spectacular.

The Castillo de San Sebastián in Cádiz was built in the middle of the sea. The castle was once part of the fortifications that were supposed to protect the city from enemy attacks. Today, the castle in the bay of Caleta is a popular tourist attraction in Andalusia because of its fantastic view of the sea and the city.

Surrounded by the sea and connected to the city only by a long promenade, the Castillo de San Sebastián in Cádiz is located on a small rocky island. Even from a distance, the not-so-old 41-metre-high lighthouse welcomes visitors to the city.

The rest of the castle complex is considerably older. The fortress with its irregular layout is dated to 1706. In 1985, the Castillo de San Sebastián in Cádiz was declared a Spanish cultural asset.

The Castillo is located on historic ground. According to legend, the rocky island was once the site of a crown temple.
In 1457, a chapel was consecrated on the island in honour of San Sebastián. The chapel was built by the crew of a ship from Venice.
An old lighthouse served as the foundation for the chapel. In 1613, there were several lighthouses, one of which was converted into a watchtower. It no longer served as a guide for shipping traffic, but primarily for the defence of the city of Cádiz.