Cordoba is famous for being the proud keeper of one of Andalucia’s three great architectural jewels: the Mezquita. However, Cordoba is more than that. Its rich cultural and religious history attracts millions of visitors every year. Cordoba is one of those places where the past is reflected everywhere you look and it is also in its people and the culture they still cherish. It was, for hundreds of years, a city where people from different religions coexisted in harmony and peace and it is still today one of the most vibrant and most welcoming cities in the world. Some call it “Constantinople of the Occident” or “Pearl of Moorish Spain”, to us Cordoba is Cordoba, and we invite you to visit, explore, discover and to love it. WOW Travel shares with you the Top 6 Things To Do In Cordoba.
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Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita)
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It all started as a Catholic Christian church but when the Muslims conquered Spain in 711, the church was divided into Muslim and Christian until 784. Since its beginnings, the Mosque has been the biggest building of its kind in the western Muslim world. In the 12th century, it returned to the hands of Spain and became a Roman Catholic church. This place is a treasure itself due to the ivory, jasper, porphyry, gold, silver, copper, and brass that were used in the decorations but it also hosts splendid historic artifacts like beautiful ivory crucifixes, portapaces, chalices and ciboria, silverworks and large crucifixes made of precious materials.
Roman Bridge & Calahorra Tower
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The tower is a fortified gate built during the late 12th century by the Almohads to protect the Roman Bridge on the Guadalquivir. The tower was declared a national historical monument in 1931. After Franco’s dictatorship, it became an Army Museum. In 1987 the City of Córdoba, turned the Calahorra Tower into the Living Museum of al-Andalus aiming to display the splendor of Córdoba and al-Andalus between the ninth and twelfth centuries.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
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The Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs is an ancient fortress which became the residence of the Catholic Monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon who met Christopher Columbus in this very same place as he prepared to take his first voyage to the Americas. It is located in the historical center of Córdoba next to the Guadalquivir River and near the Grand Mosque. This fortress keeps within its solid walls much of the architectural evolution of Cordoba.
Calleja de las Flores
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It is a typical Andalusian street yet it is embellished with beautiful whitewashed houses with hundreds of flower pots that invite all visitors to walk in and admire it. It is within the Juderia or Jewish quarter, very close to the main avenue Velázquez Bosco. This street ends in a small plaza that can make an excellent spot to rest and to take pictures of the main tower of the Mezquita, quite a sight to behold.
Judería (Jewish quarter)
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The former home of the great Jewish philosopher Maimonides and the mathematician Averroes, it is now one of the most fascinating historical districts in the world. This medieval ghetto takes us back to the time when the Moors ruled most of Spain and Jews prospered. Under the Caliphate of Cordoba in particular, the Jews who lived in Spain enjoyed complete religious and social freedom which interestingly enough helped Cordoba become the cultural capital of Europe for a time.
Plaza de las Tendillas
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It has been remodelled several times but it has managed to keep its essence and serves as the main meeting point for Cordoban people and visitors. The main avenues Cruz Conde y Gondomar meet here which makes of this square the most important social and commercial spot of the city.
Just So You Know…
- The best time to visit Cordoba is during May with the ‘Cruces de Mayo Festival‘, the ‘Patio Festival‘ and the ‘Cordoba Festival‘.
- Cordoba was a spot of peaceful coexistence of three different cultures: Jews, Muslims and Christians.
- Cordoba’s Botanical garden is the only museum in Spain that is dealing with the human relationship to plants.
- Spend at least one hour at one of Córdoba’s numerous Hookah Bars, that’s the best way to meet locals.
- Spoil yourself in traditional Hamam, an arabic bath.
- Two hours ride south from Cordoba is Júzcar; the World’s first Smurf Village.
- Just an hour away from Cordoba, is the city of Seville; the capital of the “Tapas”, home to Flamenco music and home to the famous Spanish sport, bullfighting.
- One of the many wonderful things about southern Spain is that there are so many little villages to discover. Check out The 10 Most Beautiful Towns In Andalucía.
Nearby Destinations:
- Two hours ride south from Cordoba is Júzcar; the World’s first Smurf Village.
- Just an hour away from Cordoba, is the city of Seville; the capital of the “Tapas”, home to Flamenco music and home to the famous Spanish sport, bullfighting.
- One of the many wonderful things about southern Spain is that there are so many little villages to discover. Check out The 10 Most Beautiful Towns In Andalucía.
Get Some Culture:
- The Palace-Museum of Viana Marquis – Houses a stunning collection of paintings, tapestry, statues, furniture and ceramics.
- Galeria de la Tortura – Takes you on a journey through one of Spain’s and Europe’s darkest chapters – the massive use of torture to enforce confessions between 13th and 19th centuries.
- Archeological Museum – With a large collection of Moorish art and Roman antiquities.
- Bullfighting Museum – Learn about one of Spain’s most famous cultural traditions. The museum collect all the relevant artefacts belonging to the five bullfighting ‘Caliphs’.
Grab A Bite:
- Casa el Pisto – True Andalusian Restaurant founded in 1880.
- Ziryab – Chic restaurant specializes in high end tapas.
- Zumena El Arbolito – Great little cafe with the best breakfast in own.
