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Cordoba straddles the Quadalqivir River. On both banks
are the reminders of the range of cultures
in the area. The 14th Century Calahorra tower at the end
of the Roman bridge now serves as a museum with
information about the overlapping influences of Islamic,
Jewish and Christian cultures. Cordoba was historically a progressive and tolerant city promoting
art, science and philosophy. (Wolfgang Manousek, Wikimedia Commons)
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Founded more than two millenia ago, the buildings, streets and
land around the city's historic centre are designated UNESCO
World Heritage sites. |
Cordoba was an imperial Roman city, the capital of Roman Baetica until the end of the
empire. Roman remains include a temple, a mausoleum, an
amphitheatre, and the 1st Century bridge.
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The Plaza de las Tendillas is the heart of Cordoban life. It
marks the intersection between the historic city centre and the
modern financial and business district. |
A walking tour on any of the streets radiating from Plaza Nueva
takes you past dozens of shrines, monuments, monasteries,
churches, palaces and office buildings spanning centuries of Cordoban life.
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Several Avenidas and Paseos are modern pedestrian walkways lined
with theatres, hotels and cafes, popular especially during the
evening promenade. |
The Convento de la Merced mirrors the complex history of the
city as it has been the site of a medieval baptistry, a
royal chapel, a convent, a hospital and now the seat of the
Provincial Deputy.
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Neglected and depressed for years during the Renaissance, and
later sacked by Napoleon's troops, the population and economy of
Cordoba only increased in the early 20th Century, and now
bustles with manufacturing and tourism industries. |
The Jewish quarter (Juderia) has evocative narrow streets and
quaint small squares embellished with wrought-iron grills,
shrines and flower pots. Calleja de las Flores provides an
enticing view of the Mezquita's tower.
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The most remarkable structure in Cordoba is the
Mezquita-Catedral, a cathedral within a mosque on top of a
temple, incorporating religious and architectural features of
Muslim and Christian faiths.
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The mosque, constructed between 780 and 1100 on original Roman and Visgothic buildings,
contained 1250 columns (870 remain). Innovations included the addition of rows
of double-tiered ablaq arches to gain height and space. |
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The sky-lit domes, lavish arches and gold mosaics within and
around the mosque's maksura used advanced construction
techniques for 10th Century Europe. |
The
mihrab (prayer niche) is the symbolic doorway to heaven. A
single block of marble is carved into a scallop shell, the
symbol of the Koran, which also served to amplify the voice of
the imam. |
For 3 centuries after the reconquest the mosque was unaltered,
until King Carlos gave permission to rip out the center to erect
an altar. Side chapels and other structures were added to the
cathedral over the next 250 years.
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During festivals and fairs, private establishments and homes
open their doors to allow views of the magnificent facades and
patios for which Cordoba is famous. |
We enjoyed watching the elegant guests gather for a wedding at
San Nicolas de la Villa Cathedral, one of the 13 churches built
in every neighbourhood in the 14th Century after Cordoba fell to the reconquista.
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