Cordoba

     Mosque-Cathedral
  RELIGIOUS BUILDING 
  8TH-18TH CENTURY
  MEDIEVAL.MODERN ERA 
  SITUATION: C/TORRIJOS-CARDENAL HERRERO-MAGISTRAL

  GONZÁLEZ FRANCÉS-CORREGIDOR LUIS DE LA CERDA

  The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is arguably the most significant monument in the whole of the western Moslem World and one of the most amazing buildings in the world in its own right. The complete evolution of the Omeyan style in Spain can be seen in its different sections, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian part. 
The site which the Mosque-Cathedral occupies has been used for the worship of different divinities since ancient times. Under the rule of the Visigoths, the Basilica of San Vicente occupied this very site, and later, after the Moslems bought part of the plot of land, a primitive Mosque was built. The basilica was rectangular in shape, and for a while was shared by Christians and Moslems. As the Moslem population increased, the ruler Abderraman I acquired the whole site and demolished the basilica to make way for the first Alhama (main) Mosque in the city. Some of the original building materials from the Visigothic basilica can still be seen in the first section of the Mosque built by Abderraman I. 
The great Mosque is made up of two distinct areas, the courtyard or sahn, with its porticos (the only part built by Abd al- Rahman III), where the minaret stands - nowadays, encased in the Renaissance tower - and the prayer hall, or haram. The area inside is made up of a forest of columns with a harmonious colour scheme of red and white arches. The five separate areas of the Mosque correspond to each of the five extensions carried out.

     Medina Azahara
  PALACE BUILDINGS 
  10TH CENTURY 
  MEDIEVAL (CALIPHAL) ERA 
  SITUATION: CARRETERA DE PALMA DEL RÍO 
  The history of Medinat al-Zahara, the magnificent, enigmatic city palace which was built for Abd-al Rahman III at the foot of the Sierra Morena mountains five miles from the city, is shrouded in myths and legends. According to popular belief, Abd al-Rahman III, after proclaiming himself Caliph in 929 A.D., after eight years in power, decide to build the city-palace in honour of his favourite, Azahara. However, recent research strongly suggests that the real reason for the Caliph founding Medina Azahara was to promote the new image of the recently-created independent western Caliphate as a one of the strongest, most powerful kingdoms in Medieval Europe. 
  The city was built on three terraces, surrounded by a city wall, with the Royal Castle situated on the highest and the middle levels. The lower level was reserved for living quarters and the Mosque, which was built outside the walls. Historical sources mention ten thousand people working daily on building the palace complex, on which no expense was spared by Abd al-Rahman in order to achieve the desired propaganda effect: he would project the image of the new city like the flagship of the powerful kingdom he governed. Rich marbles of violet and red, gold and precious stones, as well as the skilled work of artisans from the best quarries and the now legendary Byzantine contributions, helped to make the palace take on its full glory.
  The part of the Castle which was public was where the official visits took place. In the highest part, stood the High Hall, with five naves decorated with arches. Further down was the Rich Hall: this room was divided into three naves with red and bluish marble arches, with the sides of the building closed, but open in the centre. The Ataurique decoration (carved plant motifs) and the expensive materials used gave the name to this hall, which also had baths and opened out onto the beautiful High Garden. This garden was divided into four parts, with a summer house in the middle and four ponds. Legend has it that the pond in front of the Rich Hall contained mercury and lit up the area with thousands of flashing colours. A series of steep, narrow streets leads us to the great eastern gate, where important foreign emissaries were received by the Caliph. In front of this gate is a large square where the troops were drilled and the ceremonial staff prepared for the new arrivals. Outside the city walls stands the Mosque, which is said to have been built in just over one month.
  The site was completely destroyed by the succession of Civil Wars which ravaged al-Andalus at the turn of the 11th century, and Madinat al-Zahra is now in ruins. The immense effort taken to create this fantasy city was smashed to pieces after only seventy years, too short a life for what was the first Caliph's «favourite».

     Puente Romano (Roman Bridge)

     CIVIL CONSTRUCTION 
  ORIGINALLY 1ST CENTURY WITH 13TH-19TH CENTURY    ADDITIONS 
  CLASSICAL-MEDIEVAL-CONTEMPORARY ERA 
  SITUATION: END OF BRIDGE -RONDA DE ISASA 
  The view over the Mosque-Cathedral, with the river, the Gate of the Bridge and the Roman Bridge itself, is one of the most wonderful sights of Cordoba, especially at disk, when the last rays of the sun linger on and make the stone surfaces glow a deep golden red. The bridge was first built in the 1st century A.D., but has been rebuilt many times since then, and in its present form dates mainly from the Medieval period, with the latest changes being made in 1876. There are sixteen arches, four of which are pointed and the rest semi-circular. Halfway along the railing on one side is a 16th century statue of San Rafael by Bernabé Gómez del Río.
     

     Synagogue

    The Synagogue, situated in the heart of the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba, is unique in Andalusia and one of the three best preserved Medieval synagogues in the whole of Spain. According to the inscriptions found in the building, it was built between the years 1314 and 1315, and was in constant use right up until the Jews were finally expelled from Spain. A small courtyard leads to a narrow entrance hall.  On the right, a staircase leads to the women's area and in front lies the main hall, which is rectangular in shape and decorated with Mudejar-style plant motifs. The wall supporting the women's tribune has three arches with exquisite decorative plasterwork. The Jews were expelled in 1492, and afterwards, the building was used first as a hospital, then as the Hermitage of San Crispin and finally, an infants' school. It was declared a National Monument at the end of the 19th century.

      Torre de Calahorra:
  Torre de Calahorra is an Arabian edifice to be found at the southern conclusion of Puente Romano. 
     The citadel was built by Enrique II of Trastamana in 1369 to defend the city from attack by his brother King Pedro I the Cruel of Castile. Over the centuries, this bastion has been utilized for many purposes. At one point in time, it served as a detention center, and subsequently became an exclusive institution for girls. At present, the edifice houses the Institute for Dialogue between Cultures. This captivating museum features audio visual presentations which will help one understand the interesting way of life of the Christians, Muslims and Jewish people living together in Cordoba during the 10th Century AD. 

  At the zenith of this tower awaits a magnificent view of the Mosque and the rest of Cordoba.

     The Calahorra Tower
  CIVIL CONSTRUCTION 
  13TH CENTURY 
  MEDIEVAL ERA 
     SITUATION: END OF THE BRIDGE -PLAZA EL RASTRO 
  At the south end of the Roman Bridge stands this external tower on the foundations of an earlier Islamic building. It was built by Enrique II de Trastamara during the Civil Wars with his brother Pedro I 'the cruel', and its strategic position as gateway to the city lent it great importance in military history. Polygonal in shape, with hardly any openings, the two main towers are linked by an archway, which leads to the inside. It was named a Historic-Artistic Monument at the turn of the 20th century, and nowadays, after various uses, such as a prison or a school, it houses the Roger Garaudy Museum of the peaceful co-existence between the Jewish, Christian and Moslem cultures.

     Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos:
  Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos or The Palace of the Christian Kings was re-erected in the year 1328 by King Alfonso XI, the Spanish King of Castile and Leon. The entire castle covers over 4,000 square meters and in its interiors are impressive Arabian baths, Roman mosaics and a sarcophagus of marble from the 3rd century. Even if this structure was built during the Christian period, its gardens are characteristically Moorish in design comprising of ponds, water cascades and sweet ambrosial plants. At the eastern perimeter of the gardens are the walls and the Door of Seville, situated alongside a shrine of the renowned poet Ibn Zaydun. Originally, there were four towers at the corners of the Alcazar, three of which can be seen up to today: the Torre de Los Leones, the oldest, which forms the entrance to the palace, the octagonal Torre del Homenajeand the round Torre del Rio. The fourth tower, Torre de la Vela, was unfortunately destroyed in the 19th century. 

   Roman Temple
  RELIGIOUS BUILDING 
  LATE 1ST CENTURY A.D. 
  CLASSICAL ERA 
  SITUATION: CALLE CLAUDIO MARCELO 

  Next to the Town Hall of Cordoba stands the only Roman temple in Cordoba for which we have archaeological evidence. The sheer size of the building is remarkable: it was dedicated to the cult of the Emperor, and along with the Circus Maximus, formed part of the Provincial Forum. It originally stood on a raised podium and had six free-standing Corinthian columns in the entrance. In front of this was the ara or altar. The present reconstruction was carried out by the architect Félix Hernández, and has left Cordoba yet another reminder of the splendour of the city in Roman times. Some of the original pieces from the museum are on display in the Archaeological Museum or in unusual but attractive places dotted around the city, like the fluted column lying in Plaza de la Doblas.

     La Juderia:
  During the days of the Romans and the Goths, this Jewish area served a purpose of imperative cultural and scholarly value. Several shrines are found here to pay homage to the prominent people of Cordoba from past generations such as the Roman philosopher Séneca, Arabian philosopher Averroes and Jewish philosopher Maimonides. At present, a few tabernacles from the ancient times still exist in the Juderia. This is also an ideal spot to find outlets of jewelers and silversmiths.

     Plaza de las Tendillas:
  There are more than a few plazas in Cordoba that are surely worth a visit. In particular, the Plaza de las Tendillas is the central square in town that exhibits intricate concrete carvings and charmingly lined with little trees on the side. 

     Plaza de la Corredera:
  Plaza de la Corredera is a wide cobble stoned square that is bursting with activity as it has always been in the past centuries. During the 17th century, this quadrangle was a much loved spot for the ever popular bullfights.

     Plaza del Potro:
  This square was featured as Posada del Potro in Miguel de Cervantes’s literary masterpiece Don Quixote. 
     The renowned author and playwright, who was born in Henares de Alcala, had lived in the premises of this quaint quadrangle for a long time. The surroundings of Plaza del Potro are somehow subdued, making it a great place to conjure up such literary works. Nowadays, this plaza frequently hosts earthenware and arts exhibits.

     Palacio de Viana:
  Palacio de Viana of Cordoba is visited by over seventy thousand people every year. It covers an area of over 6,000 square meters, of which, more than fifty percent is a grand oasis of bright flowers and greens. The visitors of this outstanding palace are always mesmerized by the well-designed courtyards and the welcoming aura of the fortress with its colorful, aromatic rooms. The attractive field is even said to be a virtual museum of patios. Conceivably, the Palacio de Viana was acknowledged as a National Monument and important Artistic Garden. 

     The Cueva de los Murciélagos:
  The Cueva de los Murciélagos or the Cave of the Bats is to be found on the perimeter of the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park. The said park has up to five dozens of registered caverns, the most important one being the Cueva de los Murciélagos. The said cave is famous among archaeological aficionados worldwide due to its graphic representations, exceptional artworks on rocks, and significant relics dating from Neolithic times.