Cordoba

Cordoba is situated in the Andalusia region of Spain. When the Moors conquered Spain in 711, they made Cordoba their capital and during the 11th Century it grew into one of the largest and most cultural cities of Europe. Great monuments include the Moorish mosque, or Mezquita, called Medina Zahara, “Alcazar de los Reyes” with its statues and garden; Puente Romano Bridge, Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus and Museo Arqueologico.

As well as its culture, Cordoba is a very lively town in the best Andalusian tradition; a town of Flamenco and bullfighting, and certainly one of the most attractive destinations in southern Spain.

Cordoba was founded by the Romans and due to its strategic importance as the highest navigable point of the Guadalquivir River, it became a port city of great importance, used for shipping Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Ancient Rome. The Romans built the mighty bridge crossing the river, now called “El Puente Romano”. But Cordoba’s hour of greatest glory was when it became the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus, and this was when work began on the Great Mosque, or “Mezquita”, which – after several centuries of additions and enlargements – became one of the largest in all of Islam.

When the city was reconquered by the Christians in 1236, the new rulers of the city were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns, and creating the extraordinary church-mosque we see today.

As well as the unique mosque-cathedral, Cordoba’s treasures include the Alcazar, or Fortress, built by the Christians in 1328; the Calahorra Fort, originally built by the Arabs, which guards the Roman Bridge, on the far side of the river from the Mezquita, and the ancient Jewish Synagogue, now a museum. Cordoba’s medieval quarter, once the home of the Jewish community, is called “La Judería” (The Jewry), a labyrinth of winding, narrow streets, shady flower-filled courtyards and picturesque squares such as La Plaza del Potro. In early May, homeowners proudly festoon their patios with flowers to compete for the city’s “most beautiful courtyard” contest.

Getting Around
Trains
The AVE high-speed train links Cordoba with Sevilla and Madrid. The Cordoba central station was opened in 1994 and is located in the northwest of the Cordoba.

Coaches
The main coach station is located near Cordoba central train station. It is convenient and well signed with plenty of ticket windows, an information desk and a shopping mall.

Buses
There are frequent urban buses which travel throughout Cordoba and are easily accessible. If you wish to use the service you should pay the driver when boarding. Many bus stands have clear route maps and diagrams. From the Coach or train station a number 3 or 13 bus will go to the centre of the city.

Taxis
There are a large supply of taxis in Cordoba. To identify them you should look for white cab with a logo on the door, which displays their official number. One problem that may be encountered is that the drivers don’t often speak English. The fare is calculated on a meter, however it should be noted that a supplement may be added after midnight and during fiestas or public holidays.

Things to do/Places to Visit
The main focus of Cordoba is the la Mezquita; an impressive Arabian mosque which is the third biggest in the world with an extension of 23.000 square meters. It was built between 785 and 1002. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful and original building of all Spain.
Highlights include the Great Hall, which is characterised by horseshoe arches of alternating white stone and red brick, the Patio de Los Naranjas, the Ablutions Courtyard in which orange trees and fountains for ritual purification before prayer can be found, and the Mihrab, (prayer niche). In the 16th century the mosque was transformed into a Christian church with the building of a Renaissance Choir.
North of La Mezquita lies the Juderia, Cordoba’s old Jewish quarter, with its fascinating network of lanes.
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos; The Palace of the Christian Kings, was built in 1328 by Alfonso XI. This historic monument is surrounded by beautiful gardens, and has retained many of its original features such as its Keep Towers, originally, of which there were four, however only three remain. There is also a valuable collection of roman mosaics and remarkable Arabian baths.
At the Eastern limit of the gardens there are fortification-walls and the Door of Seville, with a monument to the poet Ibn Hazm.

Various Squares that may be of interest include;

Plaza de las Tendillas; the central square, with its clock that sounds like a guitar
Plaza de la Corredera; this is the square where bullfights took place in 17th century.
Plaza del Potro; known from Cervante’s Don Quijote.

Córdoba Fairs
May is a month of festivities in Cordoba.

Crosses of May Festival or Cruces de Mayo is 1st, 2nd and 3rd of May which is Santa Cruz day) The crosses identify distinct zones of the town which compete for the prize of the best florally decorated cross. The preparations take place secretly in the preceding months when women and children use this opportunity to sing and dance. In older times it was an excuse for young single people to meet. The event is organized by brotherhoods and financed by voluntary contributions in the neighbourhood. With the preparations made the crosses are dressed and the fiesta lasts various days. Representatives from each brotherhood act as judges to vote on the best dressed cross. The local tourist office will give you a map, as in Cordoba you may need help to find the crosses.

Patio Contest (4th to 16th May). in which home-owners compete for the prize awarded to the most beautifully decorated patio.

Summer Feria takes place the last week in May. The municipal fair ground is on the north bank of the River Guadalquivir a few kilometers to the south-east of the city.

Museums
Archeological Museum
This is deemed as one of Spain’s finest. It is situated within a Renaissance palace and includes pieces from Iberian, Roman, Visigothic, Muslim, Mudéjar and Renaissance.

Museum of Fine Arts
This museum is relatively new and is located at the 15th century Episcopal Palace and includes a collection from Baroque, renaissance and contemporary artists including, Zurbaran, Murillo, Goya, Sorolla and Mateo Inurria.

Bullfighting Museum
This is dedicated to the somewhat controversial sport of bull fighting and featured prominently are Lagartijo, Guerrita Machaquito, Monolete, El Cordobes.

Julio Romero de Torres Museum
The museum focuses on the life and works of the Cordoba born artist, Julio Romero. He was specially known for his pictures of the Women from Cordoba.

Torre de la Calahorra
This audiovisual museum highlights the different three cultures, which were followed in Cordoba in the 10th century AD. These cultures were Christianity, Muslim and Judaism.