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Cordoba
Make the most of your time in Cordoba, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.
Founded by the Romans and formerly the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba, the city of Cordoba is a picturesque setting boasting particularly impressive architecture. At the height of its rule Cordoba was the most populous city in Western Europe with 500,000 people, although today, 1,000 years later, the population has decreased to around 320,000. Cordoba takes up a position to the north of Spain’s southernmost Andalucia district and lies on the Guadalquivir River. The city is well-positioned providing easy access to the Sierra Morena’s coal, zinc and lead mining areas while in days gone by it acted as a useful stop off point when situated closer to the sea for trade; it was an important port which shipped Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Rome when it was under Roman rule. More recently in 1984 the old part of the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, while even more lately the additions of the likes of Zoco and the RENFE train station show a more contemporary side. All the while, Cordoba is clothed in a Mediterranean climate with mild winters mixed with some of Europe’s highest maximum temperatures during the summer.
Cordoba’s most impressive structure is the Mezquita mosque turned cathedral. Construction began in 784 after the Moors took over in the region in 711. The area had previously been ruled by the Byzantines and the Visigoths having been founded under the rule of Claudius Marcellus of the Roman Empire. When the Umayyad Caliphs were removed from Damascus in 750 they went to Cordoba and ruled there until 929 and it was indeed during the 10th century that it really became an attractive and powerful region. At this time it featured 1,000 mosques, 600 public baths, gardens, fabrics and coins all under the successive rulerships of Add-ar-rahman III, Al-Hakam II and Al-Mansur-Ibn Abi-Amir up until 1002. However it fell away soon after and was replaced by smaller Reinos de Taifas such as Sevilla, Valencia and Granada. The Caliphate’s successors lacked any stability in their leadership and the area became vulnerable to attacks from the north. And so, in 1236 the Spaniards regained control during the Reconquista. Aimed at rivalling the impressive mosque, King Charles V ordered the construction of a cathedral that would be higher but without destroying the previous building. By this time, however, Cordoba had been through its greatest period and experienced something of a decline in the years thereafter.
The medieval section of Cordoba was formerly home to the city’s Jewish community called La Juderia, and features a number of narrow and winding streets as well as picturesque squares. There was also a 14th century Jewish synagogue which has since been transformed into a museum. Among the other places of interest and sights worth seeing are: Plaza de San Jose, Las Dezcalzas Convent, Almodavar Castle and the Alcazar with its gardens. There are also various museums in the city such as the Archaeological Museum, the Bullfighting Museum and the Palacio Museo de Viana. Cordoba really is steeped in much history which is enhanced by its reputation as a birthplace for famous philosophers, poets and Flamenco artists throughout the ages.
The month of May sees a mass of celebration engulfing the city in a number of fairs, festivals and competitions. Firstly there is the May Crosses Festival which is celebrated most prominently in Cordoba and sees Cordobans competing for the best florally decorated cross from the first until the third of the month. Following this festival is the Patio Contest dating back to 1918 where prizes are awarded for the best decorated patio in the city. Finally, towards the end of May is the Summer Feria or Cordoba Fair which takes place just a few kilometres outside the city.