Cordoba
A city and a province

Cordoba, also correctly known as "Cordova," is built on the Guadalquivir River in the south-central area of Spain (located at 37.88° North, 4.77° West). Cordoba is the capital of the province of the same name, and is a very attractive spot from the point of view of architecture and history. In 2005, its population was 321,164

Cordoba is a perfect destination for any tourist who wishes to travel to Spain for a vacation in a place that is full of amazing ancient constructs and traditions, and also has many interesting historical events in its colorful past.

The city of Cordoba, among other things, is famous by being the hometown of many relevant philosophers, such as, for example, Abraham Cohen de Herrera, Seneca, Averroes, and Maimonides. Besides this, several famous artists were born and raised in Cordoba as well. Among the more noteworthy would be the flamenco dancer Paco Peña, the poet Lucan, Joaquín Cortés, and the flamenco artist Vicente Amigo.

According to historians, during the Roman times, the city of Cordoba had a larger number of cultural buildings that Rome itself, and was the capital city of the Province known as the Hispania Baetica. Nowadays, tourists can still visit some interesting remains from that great époque, such as remains from the Roman Bridge and the Roman Temple, both located at different locations within Cordoba.

Around the year 710, Cordoba was invaded and came under the control of the Moors. During this époque, Cordoba was the largest and most developed city in not only Spain, but the entire of Europe as well, and a great number of constructs that nowadays can still be seen were built in it showing the clear influence of a distinctive Moorish style. Towards the 10th century, Cordoba was at its best moment, being considered the capital city of the entire Iberian Peninsula. During that time, the city was the most developed city in Europe from a variety of points of view, such as in politics, architecture, culture, and bureaucracy.

According to what some experts affirm, between the years 935 and 1015, Cordoba probably was the largest city in the entire world. As this fact easily allows imagining, this town has a great amount of unique ancient buildings and spots which all those tourists who enjoy disciplines such as architecture, history, design, and anthropology would surely enjoy visiting.

One of the main attractions visitors can meet when they travel to Cordoba is the antique Mosque. This Mosque, also known as Mezquita, is considered a monument, and is the third largest mosque in the entire world. Other unique spots and monuments visitors should make sure of seeing during their vacation in this city are, the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, and the Ruins of the City of Azahara - located about 30 kilometers from Córdoba. The ruins of the City of Azahara were only discovered less than 100 years ago. The city, built by Abd ar-Rahman III (the Caliph of Córdoba) was a 'palace city' constructed to demonstrate his power. Shortly after the end of the first millennium, Islamic purists from North Africa attacked the city with such vigor as to make it lost to the world for a thousand years.

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos might be a particularly interesting spot for Americans, from the point of view of history, due to the fact that it was the place where Christopher Columbus formally got his permission to travel to what was known as the “Indies.” Besides this, tourists should also try to visit the Palacio de Viana, the Ducal Palace, the Jewish Quarter or Judería, the Cathedral of Cordoba, and observe with attention the city’s beautiful patio arrangements, which often make its inhabitants very proud.