25th September 2017
Part 3
In another area we came to a small tree-lined square and noticed a particular building on a corner. It was called Royalty Cafe and so we decided it was time for coffee and maybe something to eat.
Whether this destination was arrived at by
design or chance I didn't question, but one glance inside the entrance doors
suggested it would be wonderful. It was,
and appeared to be late Art Nouveau styling. We were welcomed and offered a
table with good views around the Cafe, the Menu promised all kinds of delicious
things to eat and the service was excellent.
We chose to eat Tapas with drinks, and enjoyed looking around the
beautiful decorations whilst waiting for the food.
A first view
Ladies Cloakroom
View through to another area
Nearby tables
Another area of tables
I loved seeing this ceiling
We chose Tapas to eat
The Tapas we could choose
Cafe Royalty Menu
Another eye-catching ceiling
An unusual coffee machine and cash register
I later discovered the Royalty Cafe Cadiz was built for Cadiz business man Gómez Doreé in 1912 with sumptuous decoration, exquisite products, furniture, rich paintings, carpentry and original plaster covered with fine gold leaf. On the eve of the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s the highly popular Cafe Royalty decided to close its doors. It subsequently became a warehouse and then a bazaar, beginning its decline and being forgotten for the next seven decades.
In 2008, the Serna Martín family bought the establishment and decided to restore it. After meticulous research, they brought together a group of artists and restorers, employing the same techniques and materials that were used in the early 20th century. They carried out a long process of restoration, always being faithful to history and taking care of the original 1912 decoration down to the last detail.
This was what we could see and marvel at today.
To be continued...
