Córdoba Favorites

Favorite thing: take a walk in the juderia, the old judish quarter. It is the area around the mosque and is full of windling strret full of Andalousian flavour: whitewashed walls and flowerpots everywhere. This is a picture of the famous Plaza del Potro, where you can visit the Museum Romero de Torres, a local painter, who is said to have painted the Andalusian woman as never someone had done it before. It is really worth a visit.

Fondest memory: Cordoba is full or romantic corners: little churchs and small squares. The one I like best is where the Cristo de los Faroles is.

Favorite thing: you should visit La Mezquita: it is an impressive Arabian mosque, the third-biggest in the world with an extension of 23.000 square meters, the most beautiful and original building of all Spain.
So should walk inside to feel the peace.

This Mezquita initiated the so-called Califal style, which combined Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Syrian and Persian elements and was the starting-point of all Arabian-Hispanic architecture of the centuries to come, up to the Mudéjar-style of Arabians living in the Spain reconquered by Christians.

the hall consists of 11 naves with 110 columns, the capitals of which were taken from old Roman and Byzantine buildings. Above there is a second row of arcs, then an architectonic novelty, creating a unique ambience of light and shadow.
Later 8 more arcs were added, with columns of white marble taken from the Roman amphitheater of Mérida. In 961 the minaret was built, Mihrab, and the Kliba with its cupola of entangled arcs in 961, both being among the major attractions today. The last an most important enlargement was made in 987, doubling the original size of the mosque and adding columns of blue and red marble. As the enlargement could be made only towards West, the river Guadalquivir in the South and the palace of the caliph in the East being very close, the mosque of Cordoba is the only one that doesn't have the Mihrab as its central point. The other particularity is that it is not orientated towards Mecca, but towards Damascus - perhaps because of nostalgic feelings of Abderramán I, who expressed in his poetry how much he was missing the mosques of his home-town.

Favorite thing: LA MEZQUITA - CATHEDRAL. This is Cordoba's outstanding monument, formerly the principal mosque of Western Islam (and still known as Mesquita), third largest mosque of the world and finest achievement of Moorish architecture in Spain.

Favorite thing: Entrance - Mosque of the Caliphs

Fondest memory: Now a Catholic Cathedral this was originally named the Mosque of the Caliphs built by the Moors

Favorite thing: visit the various archaeological sites in and around the city. The locals in Cordoba are very fond of their history, and it would be a shame to visit such a place and not experience any of its past, or culture. However the nicest thing in Spain is the coffee.

Fondest memory: My fondest memory of Cordoba was the differnt people I met. One of the reasons I was in Cordoba was because I was studying Spanish, therefore I was able to meet a range of different people, which included some international students. It seemed as though everybody here was helpfull and very friendly.

Favorite thing: Take a tour of the Holy Cathedral Church, former Mosque of Cordoba - The Mezquita. I strongly suggest getting a personal tour guide - our guide made a huge difference in explaining all of the history behind this incredible building - well worth the $ spent. I don't think I would have gained the appreciation I have for this amazing building had it not been for the knowledge of our guide.

Fondest memory: Being awe-struck by the number and variety of columns in the mosque. To think of the work that took place as early as the 8th Century is mind-boggling and then to see the transformation that took place by the Christians from a mosque to a cathedral is one of the most incredible things I have ever seen.

Favorite thing:


The Alcázar of the Christians Kings

It is a building of military character that was built following gothic style by order of King Alfons XI. Here the Catholic Kings resided approximately 8 years, during the period of the Spanish Reconquest. It was here were they received Columbus prior to his voyage to the Americas. Its elegant gardens and its contents are magnificent and priceless, with Roman mosaics and sarcophaguses of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. It also offers an excellent view to the rover and the Roman Bridge, that crosses the Guadalquivir River. As part of the complex, it has several towers with lodgings that are covered with pointed arches, such as the Tower of the Homage or the Lions’ Tower facing the garden of the Martyred Saints. It also maintains the baths, of the caliph tradition, located under the Mosaics’ Hall, which nowadays is used to celebrate weddings.

Favorite thing:


Fortress Tower of Calahorra:

Built by order of Henry II of Trastamara in 1,369 over a Muslim foundation. Today is the headquarters of the Institute for the Dialogue of the Cultures, as well as contains an audiovisual museum featuring different epochs and ideas.