Cordoba was once the capital of Al-Andalus, the Moslem-occupied territories in the Iberian Penninsula during the middle ages. At the time, it was the most powerful and influential city in Europe. Glorious capital of the western world in the 11th century, Cordoba is not only a convenient stop in central Andalusia, but the essence of Spain–Iberian, Roman, Visigoth, Jewish, Islamic and Christian civilizations, captured in its stones, its monuments and its collective consciousness.
The Mosque of Cordoba (la Mezquita), Cordoba’s Cathedral since 1236, is one of Spain’s most visited attractions and the foremost example of Islamic architecture in Spain.
But there’s more to Cordoba than the Mosque and other monuments. This elegant city is large enough to offer travelers the variety of amenities they expect, yet small enough to walk everywhere. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, it’s a city which has not lost its soul to modernity or to mass tourism, a place where you can both relax and get the most out of your vacation in an authentic setting. In its extensive historic district and picturesque neighborhoods, you’ll get away from the crowds and right into the essence of today’s Andalusia. Here you’ll find the traditions of southern Spain are tastfully combined with modernity.
Cordoba, Spain is located in the center of southern Spain (Andalusia) and has always been a strategic crossroads–today it is no different for travelers who are short on time. For the tourist who has never visited Spain, Andalusia is an unforgettable experience; and Cordoba is one of three places tourists must see in Andalusia: Granada, Cordoba and Seville.
Trains: The Madrid-Cordoba-Seville high-speed AVE train line means short travel times between Cordoba-Seville (40 min) and Cordoba-Madrid (1 hr 40 min). If your flight is to Madrid or Seville, you can be at your hotel in Cordoba within a few hours. For those of you on budget flights from northern Europe, you can fly into Seville, travel to Cordoba and end your Andalusian trip in Granada, with another flight from there. Some flights from the US, and many from the UK, fly to Malaga, from which there are train and bus connections. It’s about a 3 hour drive to Cordoba from Malaga, and 1 1/2 hours from Seville. There are train and bus connections to major cities from Cordoba.
The Mosque of Cordoba was built during the 9th and 10th centuries and consecrated as the cathedral in 1236. A Jewel of Hispanics art, the Mezquita, with its 850 columns, double arches and Byzantine mosaics, is a legacy of the Umayyad Caliphate in Spain. In the center of its forest of columns rises a 16th-century cathedral.
The Alcazar palace was built in the 13th century by King Alfonso XI, and until the late 15th century, the kings of Spain used the Alcazar as a royal residence. The palace has two courtyards and Arab baths.
On display in the Inquisition Tower are impressive 2ndC Roman mosaics-discovered in Corredera Square-and a 3rdC Roman sarcophagus carved from one piece of marble.
The renaissance gardens, refreshed by abundant fountains and pools, are in Arab style. Statues of the kings of Spain are contemporary.
The Jewish Quarter is the best-known part of Cordoba’s historic centre, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and is one of the largest in Europe. To the northwest of the Mosque-Cathedral along the city wall, its medieval streets have a distinctly Moorish flair to them, reminiscent of the Jews’ prosperity under the Caliphate of Cordoba. This neighborhood’s history is a history of the Caliphate and of the West. Of special interest are the Synagogue and Souk.
Next to the City Hall are some of the columns, the foundation and altar of Cordoba’s Roman temple, probably dedicated to the Emperor Augustus
Ancient capital of Al-Andalus at the height of the Umayyad Caliphate’s power, (Medinat al-Zahra) was built 11 km west of Cordoba beginning in about 941. Today 10% of the city has been excavated, including Abd al-Rahman III’s palace, and the large archaeological site makes a great excursion.