Cordoba for Culture

Visit - Mezquita, Alcazar, Botanical Gardens, Roman Bridges & a Zoo

Feb 25, 2008 Rachel L. Webb

As a contender for 2012 City of Culture, Cordoba has an array of monuments and history, to explore, what better sales pitch for this beautiful city could there be?

Cordoba was once the largest and most important city in Western Europe due to the mighty River Guadalquivir. It was a lively and wealthy city founded by the Romans who used the river to transport olive oil and wheat back to Rome from their new European power base. The enormous Roman Bridge El Puente Romano which still straddles the Rio Guadalquivir is just one of their legacies.

Cordoba then became the capital of the Moorish kingdom which was known as El Andalus, and The Moors began work on the Mezquita, after many improvements and additions it became the largest Mosque in the world.

Cordoba’s jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the magnificent Mezquita, which is now Cordoba’s cathedral where regular services are held. The Mezquita is exciting and evocative of the past - a fabulously preserved glimpse into the customs of cleanliness before prayer in one of the most amazing Islamic buildings ever.

These days ships cannot sail up to the city now, after the centuries of neglect Cordoba has become one of Andalucia’s most prominent towns once again. It’s a beautiful city with narrow streets and hidden patios and history at every turn.

Other monuments well worth a visit are the Alcazar a fortress built in 1328 by the Christians, the Calahorra Fort, and the medieval Jewish synagogue in La Juderia the Jewish quarter and the numerous pretty little plazas like the Plaza de Potro.

There can be no other place with such extravagant flower-filled patios as Córdoba. Visit in early May and you’ll come across the Cruces del Mayo - The Crosses of May which is followed by the Festival de los patios and the Feria de Mayo in the last week of May.

Take an aimless wander through the narrow maze-like streets and try out one or two of the bars of the the tapas bars that are open from early morning until late at night

The traditional crafts of Cordoba are embossed leather cuero repujado, local pottery and the silver jewellery (especially the filigree). And of course there’s an array of colourful flamenco dresses on sale.

For the garden lovers the botanical gardens need a visit with glass houses, fossil exhibition, sensory garden and rose gardens. After this a well-deserved rest with an evening of foot- tapping hand-clapping entertainment at an exciting Flamenco show. A good place to go is the Tableo Cardinal where a table can be reserved for an exhilarating display of dance, song and guitar skills. Be mesmerised as the rhythm and beat consume your thoughts and emotions.

Throughout its long and bloody history, its change of peoples and religions Cordoba’s metamorphosis has produced a vibrant beautiful city – one not to be missed, and a worthy contender for the 2012 City of Culture competition.

Go here for more on Cordoba and Andalucia.

The copyright of the article Cordoba for Culture in S Europe Travel is owned by Rachel L. Webb. Permission to republish Cordoba for Culture in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Roman Bridge, Cordoba

Cordoba