DESTINATION CORDOBA
Exploring Cordoba
Exploring Cordoba
Cordoba is one of the oldest cities, yet the capital of Andalusia. This hidden gem contains some of the most exquisite Moorish architecture and impressive historical monuments found in all of Europe. This Andalusian city has a glorious past and was the world's most populous city in the 10th century.
Cordoba, the city of four cultures (Roman, Arab, Jewish and Christian), offers a great legacy for visitors from all over the world. It has been a Roman outpost, an Arab capital, and a city eventually conquered by the Catholic Kingdom of Castile in the 1200s. During the 10th century, it was the greatest capital city of Europe, and remains a historical and cultural mecca with four (4) UNESCO World Heritage sites.
READ MORE...The city offers major landmarks for sightseeing, so start the exploration with a visit at" La Mezquita" or "The Mosque" or Cathedral, one of the first mosques built on the Iberian Peninsula. This building is characterized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is of incredible architectural beauty, revealing the city's Visigothic, Christian and Arab past. When the city was under Moorish rule, it operated as a Mosque, but at the time that Christians reclaimed the city in 1236, the mosque was converted into a church. The mosque-to-cathedral conversion created an unpredictable sense of design but serves as a reminder of Córdoba's multicultural heritage.
Apart from Muslims and Christians, the Jewish community is also a significant part of Cordoba's history. The old Jewish Quarter, where the Mosque-Cathedral is located, is also one of the city's UNESCO sites. In this part of Cordoba, the streets are narrow and the buildings white-washed and flower-filled patios, as they call the courtyards. In the center of the Jeweria you can find the Synagogue, which was used consistently for almost 200 years, up until Jewish people were forced out of Spain in 1492.
The newest UNESCO site of Cordoba sits 8km west of Cordoba's city and is the Medina Azahara. This Caliphate City was built during the mid-900s by Abd-ar-Rahman III to display the power and strength of his kingdom and in tribute to his wife named "Azahara". It had 3 levels, with a palace in the middle, which was built with marble, gold, and precious stones!
LEARN MOREThe best way to admire this city is to walk across the Roman Bridge and look back onto the old city and the Mezquita for spectacular city views. The bridge was built back in the 1st century B.C by the Romans and was rebuilt in the 8th century during the Moorish occupation of the city.
This bridge stretches across the Guadalquivir River and into Cordoba's historic center. On the one side, you can find the Calahorra Tower, a 12th-century gate tower that operated as part of the city's medieval fortifications. At the top of the tower, you can have a magnificent view of the city, not to mention that you will be able to take amazing photos!
Finally, you definitely have to explore the city on foot and enjoy delicious tapas in traditional Andalusian restaurants. You will be thrilled by the tastes, especially in tapas bars of the old town or in Plaza de la Corredera, the biggest square in Cordoba. End your day with a refreshing drink on a terrace, enjoying the city view!
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