Córdoba Favorites

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Favorite thing: As you walk through this wonderful Arch PUERTA DEL PERDON (c.1377) you are treated to the delightful "Patio de los Naranjos" (Courtyard of Orange Trees). You will also see Palm trees, olive trees and cypresses and wonderful views of the Minaret / Belltower.
Originally, entrance to the Mosque was gained via many doors, which were designed to let in the light. This door, Puerta del Perdon or "Gate of Forgiveness" is in Mudejar style and is now the only one open to the public.

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Favorite thing: The original Mihrab was not correctly aligned to indicate the exact direction towards Mecca, as the Great Mosque was built on the grounds of an existing building ( the former Cathedral ). To correct this many years later, everything was done to make the new MIHRAB unique and beautiful. Byzantine craftsmen were brought to Cordoba and made this Mihrab the finest of all Moorish religious architecture. Its roof is a high dome hewn from a single block of marble. It is decorated with a profusion of floral and geometric patterns and verses from the Koran in Arabic script. It is truly beautiful and one of the many highlights of the Mezquita.

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Favorite thing: The fourth longest river in Spain, the GUADALQUIVIR RIVER is also the longest in Andalucia. The name comes from the Arabic Al-Wadi Al-Kabir which means the "Great River".
The River is 657 kilometres long and begins at Canada de las Fuentes in the Cazorla Mountain Range, passes through Cordoba and Seville and ends at the fishing village of Bonanza, flowing into the Gulf of Cadiz in the Atlantic Ocean.
Views of the Guadalquivir River can be seen from the Roman Bridge.

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Favorite thing: Perhaps the most wonderful part of the El Alcazar is its fabulous GARDENS. We walked through the many paths leading in and out of ponds, waterfalls and fountains. There was one row of meticulously trimmed trees which looked so impressive to me. Also amongst the gardens was a monument with three figures of Queen Isabella, her husband Ferdinand and Christopher Columbus as it was here at the Alcazar that Isabella commissioned Columbus to seek the New World.

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Favorite thing: After passing under the Puerta del Puente or Bridge Gate, the first thing you notice is theTRIUMPHAL COLUMN OF SAN RAFAEL which stands between the Gate and the great Mosque and is erected on an embossed pedestal. The sculpture by Verdiguier which was completed 1781, was commissioned to pay homage to the archangel Rafael, the patron saint of Cordoba, for having spared the city during a devastating earthquake.

Favorite thing: After crossing the Roman Bridge, you come upon the 16th century PUERTA DEL PUENTE or BRIDGE GATE. Built in 1571 and designed by Hernan Ruiz III, the Puerta Del Puente with its impressive twin columns located on each side, is a Doric Triumphal Arch. Once you have passed under it, you are treated to your first views of the Mezquita Catedral.

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Favorite thing: After parking the car near Avenida Fray Albino, we, Hans & I, Carmen & Stace, walked over the ROMAN BRIDGE towards the Mezquita. There are good views of the Roman Bridge from the South Bank.
Crossing the Guadalquivir River, the Roman Bridge, with its 16 arches, is magnificent in its beauty and solidity, but reflects little of its Roman roots due to frequent reconstruction over many decades.
In the centre of the bridge, is a little shrine to the archangel St. Raphael who watches over the bridge.

Fondest memory: Without knowing it beforehand the second day of my stay in Cordoba (Oct. 24) was the festival of the patron saint of the city, San Rafael. Many businesses are closed and there are limited city services. The communist unions had called a transport strike for that day (though Im not sure how successful it was) I had met a policeman the previous day who seemed intrigued that an American could speak spanish so well.

Spaniards go out to the country with their families on this day and I was invited to join the policemans family. There was nothing special, really just hanging out and relaxing. They take a little barbeque sort of thing to cook and all the men compete, trying to show off their skills as chefs.

That evening there was an outstanding flamenco show at the Alcazar put on by one of the flamenco schools in the city. I was later told by flamenco fans that what i saw that night was probably one of the most genuine performances.