Spotlight: Córdoba, Spain

Spotlight: Cordoba was conquered by Rome in 206 BC, and many remnants of Roman life remain in evidence today. After the fall of Rome, the Visigoths took over until the 8th century AD, when the Muslims invaded the peninsula and made Cordoba the capital of the Umayyad Dynasty. Under Muslim rule, Cordoba thrived. It not only became the second largest city in Europe, it was also the best educated. Cordoba was home to more than 80 libraries and institutions of learning, creating a center of learning that far exceeded the rest of Europe in medicine, astronomy, mathematics and botany. Cordoba continued to thrive until 1009 AD, when internal strife within Al-Andalus broke into a long period of civil war between competing caliphs. Eventually, the Caliphate was replaced by an Oligarchic Republic. In 1236, the city fell to the Christian forces under Fernando III of Castilla, adding the prize city of Andalusia to the growing kingdom of Castilla-Leon. The Great Mosque of Cordoba was so grand that the conquering Christians broke with tradition. Rather than tear it down, as was the common practice of conquered mosques, the Christians converted it into a cathedral, while retaining much of its Muslim décor. The result is the Mezquita-Catedral - the most unique cathedral in all of Spain.

Activities:

La Mezquita-Catedral: The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, AKA the Cathedral of our Lady of the Assumption, is supposed to be built on the site of an old Visigoth church known as the Basilica of Vincent of Saragossa (mid-sixth century). The Great Mosque was built in 785 AD by Abd al-Rahman, the founder of the Emirate of Cordoba. The Minaret was added in 958. When Christian forces under the command of the Crown of Castile captured the city in 1236, they decided to leave the magnificent structure intact, and convert it into a cathedral. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that a Renaissance style nave and transept, called Villaviciosa Chapel, were inserted into the center of the massive structure.

La Mezquita-Catedral (as seen from the bell tower)

The excavated Basilica in the
basement of the Great Mosque

        To enter the complex, visitors pass through the "Door of Forgiveness" (next to the Minaret). From there, you pass through the Orange Tree Courtyard to enter the Mosque Cathedral. The cathedral, which still holds mass daily, is a study in contrasts. The center section has been decorated in the Catholic style, with paintings and statues of saints, angels, cherubs and of course a crucifix of Jesus. Meanwhile, the structure surrounding the central cathedral retains the décor of an Islamic mosque, decorated with geometric patterns including the iconic candy cane style arches. The orange trees were planted by Bishop Francisco Reinoso in rows as a continuation of the columns in the prayer hall. The Minaret was converted into a bell tower, which has been restored at various times due to storms and earthquakes. From the Minaret, you can get a great view of the cathedral from above as well as the surrounding city. Today, the whole complex has been designated an World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The iconic "candy cane" arches

The cathedral

The Bell Tower Minaret

- Location: C. Cardenal Herrero, º 1, Centro, 14003 Córdoba

- Hours: 10 am to 7 pm (Mon. - Sat.; March to October); 10 am to 6 pm (Mon. - Sat.; November to February); 8:30 am to 11:30 am & 3 pm to 6 pm (Sundays)

- Cost: 13 euros; 10 euros for students (15-26) and senior citizens (65+);7 euros for children ages 10-14; The Bell Tower costs an additional 3 euros

- Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos: This fortress was built in 1328, on orders of Alfonso XI of Castilla, to replace the Islamic-era Umayyad Alcazar. Although the fortress only incorporates a small portion of the previous alcazar, Alfonso decided to use the same Mudejar style, giving the Alcazar its Islamic appearance. It later served as one of the primary residences of Fernando II of Aragon and Isabel, the so-called Catholic Monarchs, for whom the fortress is named. The Monarchs used the Alcazar as one of the first permanent tribunals during the Spanish Inquisition. It also served as their home base of operations for their final thrust into Granada in their effort to defeat the Muslim forces there. In 1486 or 1487, the Alcazar hosted the first meeting between Christopher Columbus and the monarchs regarding his plan to establish a trade route with India by sailing west. With the ongoing war between the Christians and the Muslims, they initially turned him down, but he returned following the fall of Granada, initiating the voyage that would change the course of history. One of the best things about the Alcazar are the gardens, which many beautiful plants, fountains and statues. The fortress is part of the Historic Centre of Cordoba, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.

The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos

Exploring the walls

Fountains in the courtyard

The gardens

Statue commemorating the meeting
between Columbus and the Catholic Monarchs

- Location: C. Caballerizas Reales, s/n, Centro, 14004 Córdoba

- Hours: June 16 - Sept. 15: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm (Tues. - Sat.); Sept. 16 - June 15: 8:30 am to 8 pm (Tues. - Sat.); 8:30 am to 2:30 pm (Sun. & bank holidays); closed Mondays

- Cost: 5 euros; 2.5 euros for students and senior citizens (65+);children ages 0-13 are free

- Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Roman Bridge: The Roman bridge that spans the Guadalquivir River was originally built in the first century BC as part of the Via Augusta that connected Rome with Cadiz. Although it has been reconstructed several times, it retains the same style as the original bridge. Most of the current structure dates back to the Arab reconstruction in the 8th century. However, the 14th and 15th arches remain from the original construction. In the center of the bridge is a 16th century shrine and statue of Saint Rafael, created by Bernabe Gomez del Rio. On the southern end of the bridge stand the Calahorra Tower, erected in 1333 to protect access to the bridge. On the northern end is the Puerta del Puente (Door of the Bridge), a Renaissance Gate built in the 16th century to commemorate the visit of King Felipe II. It was constructed on the site where the original Roman gates stood at the entrance to the city. The bridge, tower and Puerta are all part of the Historic Centre of Cordoba - a World Heritage Site. The bridge was the only one that served the city for two millennia, until the San Rafael Bridge was built in the mid-20th Century. Since 2004, the bridge has been converted into a pedestrian bridge.

The Roman bridge

La Puerta del Puente

Walking toward the Calahorra Tower

- Location: Av. del Alcázar, s/n, Sur, 14009 Córdoba

- Hours: open all day every day

- Cost: free

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Medina Azahara: The Caliphate city of Medina Azahara is an archeological site also known as Madinat al-Zahra. The archeological dig is uncovering the original capital city of the Caliphate of Cordoba. Medina Azahara, "The Shining City," lasted for less than a century before being destroyed in a civil war that occurred in 1009-1010 AD. The remains of the city, which are located on the western outskirts of Cordoba, were discovered in the early 20th century. Archeologists are discovering a treasure trove of information regarding life in the Western Islamic Civilization of Al-Andalus at its peak since it has remained underground and untouched over the past millennium. Thus far, only about 10% of the city has been excavated in an organized, methodical way. Visitors can view the plethora of artifacts that have already been uncovered and read about how life was in the Caliphate 1,000 years ago.

Madinat al-Zahra

archeological dig

Remnants of Medina Azahara

- Location: Ctra. Palma del Río, km 5, 5, 14005 Córdoba

- Hours: 9 am to 6:30 pm (Tues. - Sat.; closing times vary depending on the season); 9 am to 3:30 pm (Sundays and bank holidays); closed on Mondays

- Cost: 1.5 euros; guided tours - 18 euros

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know:

- In the middle of Cordoba, you can see the remains of an old Roman Temple.

Roman Temple

- Mondays are often a bad day for tourists in Spain. Many tourist sites are closed. When planning a visit to Spain, it is a good idea to plan your Mondays first based on what is going to be open.

Nearby: El Caminito del Rey - a fabulous hike (153 km south of Cordoba); Antequera - a typical Andalusian city 120 km south of Cordoba); Sevilla - Spain's most important city during its colonial days (145 km SW of Cordoba); Parque Natural Sierra de Hornachuelos - Natural Mountain Park (65 km west of Cordoba); Granada - home to La Alhambra (173 km SE of Cordoba).