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History

In the south of Spain, deep in the heart of Andalucia, lies the province of Cordoba. The history of its main city, Cordoba, goes back many centuries - and is documented in the annals of many cultural traditions. Washed by the waters of the River Guadalquivir, the city has been a melting pot of different cultures and a meeting point for civilisations.

The city was founded by Iberian tribes, but was soon converted into a Patrician colony at the time of the Roman Empire. In this period Cordoba was an important cultural centre, but it fell into a period of decline during the era of the Visigoths. This was followed by the era of Arab rule, when the city became once again a focus for cultural activity.

It was in this period that Cordoba, chosen by the Omeyan Abd-al Rahman I as the capital of the Arab kingdom of Al-andalus, flourished into one of the most splendid cities in the known world.

Cordoba took its place as a leading cultural light in the western world and produced important figures in all the main branches of knowledge. Great monumental buildings were erected, such as the palatine city of Madinat-Al Zahra and the Mosque. As we visit this impressive building, its history unfolds before our eyes, like some huge rose made of stone, opening up petal by petal to reveal the secrets of its fascinating past.

Allow yourself to be drawn in by the charms of Jewish, Christian and Moorish Cordoba, and led on by the scents of Jasmine and Orange blossom, enjoy its charming little squares, its narrow winding streets and the welcoming warmth of its people.

Monuments

Jewish quarter or Juderia
This is the main area of historical interest in the city, and has the greatest concentration of monumental buildings.

Historically speaking, the Jewish Quarter was a part of the old Moslem town, or Medina, where the most sumptuous palaces were built, and whose narrow, winding streets follow very much the same plan today as they did then, with lines of whitewashed houses leading to enchanting little squares which evoke the atmosphere of their oriental past.

Nowadays, the area’s fascinating history draws tourists and the tourist trade, with a wide array of souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. Pride of place is given to those around the mosque, or Mezquita, which is far and away the city’s best-known monument.

We suggest you take a stroll around the Jewish Quarter, down its most picturesque streets (Deanes, Albucasis or Judios, to name but a few) and its enchanting little squares (with names like Salazar, Judá Leví or Concha). Relax and enjoy the atmosphere - or have a chat with the locals and try to understand their way of living and their particular outlook on life.

Daily life usually rotates around the hub of an attractive interior courtyard or patio, the real focal point of the house, and yet another legacy of Moslem culture.

The Mosque/Cathedral
Far and away the city’s best-known monumental building is the Mosque or Mezquita, situated on the banks of the River Guadalquivir in the Jewish Quarter. It symbolises all the grandeur and power of the city under Arab rule by the Omeya dynasty, and is considered by some the most significant Arabic monument in the western world, on a par with the Omeyan Mosque in Damascus or the Al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo.

It was built in three distinct stages, between the reigns of Abd Al Rahman I and Hixem II (759-1009), and after Ferdinand III "The Saint" conquered the city for the Christians, all the necessary changes were made to transform it into a Catholic church. A Cathedral was built right in the middle of the Mosque towards the end of the 15th century by Alonso Manrique, which meant knocking down a sizeable part of the original building.

The impressive "forest of columns" (856), the Orange-Tree Courtyard, the Prayer-niche, the Cathedral and its majestic bell-tower are the most attractive features of this vast building.

Medina Azahara
This was a royal residence, almost the size of a town, belonging to the Caliphs or Arab rulers, and no expense was spared to make it into one of the most luxurious palaces of its day in the western world. Building work commenced in the reign of Abd Al Rahman III in 936, and it was completed by Alhaken II 35 years later. Its name means "City of the Orange Blossom" and, according to legend, it was built in honour of Azahara, the Caliph’s favourite wife.

It was divided into three levels: on the upper level stood the Caliph’s palace, the central level was made up of gardens, and on the lower level there were shops and mosques. The whole area was surrounded by a double city wall with towers. It even had its own fresh water supply, brought by aqueducts from the nearby mountains. However, the city was razed to the ground by Berber tribesmen, and its remains were pillaged over the centuries. Only in 1910 did archaeological work begin to preserve what remained, and so far one of the royal halls has been reconstructed, while work still goes on to restore the mosque.

The Christian Monarchs' Fortress, or Alcazar
Building work on this fortress, or Alcazar, in Gothic military style, was started in 1328, during the reign of Alfonso XI. However, its most famous hosts were Ferdinand and Isabella, the "Christian Monarchs", who used it as their royal residence for eight years, and were even visited by Christopher Columbus there, before his voyage to the new world. Most people go to see its wonderful gardens, but the interior also holds some interesting surprises such as a 3rd Century Roman sarcophagus and a fine collection of 2nd Century Roman mosaics, on show in the appropriately-named Mosaics Room.

_________________Useful Addresses  

TOURIST OFFICES

PALACIO DE CONGRESOS Y EXPOSICIONES
c/ Torrijos, 10
Telf: 957 47-12-35

OFICINA MUNICIPAL DE TURISMO
Plaza de Juda Levi, s/n
Telf: 957 20-05-22

TOURIST GUIDES

ASOC. PROF. DE INFORMADORES TURISTICOS
c/ Torrijos, 10
Telf: 957 48-69-97 y 957 41-06-29

TRANSPORT

RENFE
AVD DE AMERICA S/N
TELF. 957 40 02 02

RENFE OFICINA DE VIAJES:
RONDA DE LOS TEJARES, 10
TELF. 957 47 58 84

ESTACIÓN CENTRAL DE AUTOBUSES
GLORIETA DE LAS TRES CULTURAS, S/N
TELF. 957 40 40 40

AUCORSA (Urban bus)
C/ ARTESANOS. S/N (PolÍgono de Pedroches)
TELF.957 76 46 76

IBERIA
RONDA DE LOS TEJARES, 3
TELF. 957 47 26 95

TAXIS DE CORDOBA
TELF. 957 76 44 44

CAR HIRE

AVIS
Plaza de Colón, 35
Telf: 957 47-68-62

COALSA
Pol. Amargacena
Telf: 957 29-23-11

EUROPCAR
Hotel Los Gallos
Avda. Medina Azahara, 7
Telf: 957 23-34-60

HERTZ ESPAÑA
Gta.C. Guadalhorce
Telf: 957 47-72-43

SILLERO MARQUEZ
Avda. Medina Azahara, 7
Telf: 957 47-21-87