One of the most picturesque and ancient cities in Spain, Cordoba has preserved many architectural monuments - both ancient and medieval. As the capital of the Cordoba Caliphate, the city reached a special heyday in the 11th century, although it was known even during the colonization of the Iberian Peninsula by the Phoenicians. The Reconquista played a special role in the history of Cordoba. The city came under the control of the King of Castile, and then Andalusia was part of Spain. The answer to the question of what to see in Cordoba can become a topic for a big and good book, and therefore it is better to buy a ticket and go to the south of Spain on an excursion.
TOP 10 attractions of Cordoba
Roman bridge
One of the most ancient sights of Cordoba appeared in the city in the middle of the 1st century. BC NS. The last battle of Gaius Julius Caesar against the republicans took place in the south of modern Spain, and after the victory in it, the dictator in every possible way strengthened the approaches to the empire and already existing communications. The August Road, which runs along the southern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, was of great strategic importance, and the bridge over the Guadalquivir became part of it.
The ferry is a structure consisting of 16 arches made of stone. It was repeatedly restored over the long 20 centuries, and it remained the only one in Cordoba until the middle of the last century. You can not only look at the bridge: since 2004 it has been given over to pedestrians and it is pleasant to walk along it to the opposite bank of the river.
Roman temple
Slightly younger, but still quite ancient, the Roman Temple is another architectural monument in Cordoba. It was built, according to research by scientists, in the second half of the 1st century. and is intended to symbolize the greatness of the Roman Empire. Architectural elements have been discovered in the vicinity of the temple, suggesting that the entire area was a forum from the 1st to the 2nd centuries.
The temple had a rectangular base. Its roof was supported by 32 columns, and the quality of processing of the found marble fragments and the preserved intact columns allows us to conclude that the skill of the ancient architects was high.
The foundation, altar, several columns of the Corinthian order and capitals have survived to this day.
Mesquite
On the right bank of the Guadalquivir, not far from the northern end of the Roman Bridge, you will see a grandiose structure that was once a mosque and later became a Roman Catholic cathedral. During the Middle Ages, Mesquita was the second largest mosque that existed then on the planet.
The building began to be built in 600 by the Visigoths. Almost immediately, the Arabs converted the temple into a mosque, but in 711 the first building was almost completely destroyed. 70 years later, the founder of the Cordoba Umayyad dynasty, Abd ar-Rahman I, bought the land and built a new mosque.
In the next few decades, Mesquita was completed and transformed. More than a thousand columns appeared in the interior, made of valuable types of stone - onyx, jasper, granite and marble. Gigantic arches formed a vault, prayer niches were decorated with gilding, and decorators inlaid the dome with blue tiles in the shape of stars.
In the first half of the XIII century. the Arabs were forced to leave Spain and Mesquita was consecrated anew in Christian tradition.
Calahorra Tower
On the opposite bank of the river, at the southern end of the Roman Bridge, stands a medieval watchtower. It was built in the second half of the 12th century. representatives of the Almohad dynasty, who ruled in those days in Cordoba. Torre de la Calahorra is considered an example of the fortification architecture of the late Islamic period in the Pyrenees. The reconquista almost destroyed many architectural monuments left over from the Arabs, but the tower was restored at the end of the 14th century. by order of Enrique II of Castile.
The tower houses the Museum of Three Cultures, where you can go on an excursion after arriving in Cordoba. The exposition is dedicated to the intertwining of Christian, Jewish and Islamic cultures and presents the united great heritage of the peoples who once fought in these parts.
Alcazar of Christian kings
The Alcazar in Cordoba has existed since the early Middle Ages, when the Visigoths built the first fortress here. The Umayyads who came to replace them rebuilt the fortification, and the representatives of the Cordoba Caliphate who overthrew them used the castle as a residence.
In the Alcazar of Cordoba, the brothers Alfonso and Enrique IV fought for power. The Spanish Inquisition held meetings of the tribunal within its walls and converted part of the premises of the palace to fit its needs. So the Alcazar became a place of executions and torture. Within the walls of the Alcazar, Columbus presented to Isabella of Castile his plan for the discovery of new lands, and in 1810 the palace served as a deployment site for the Napoleonic army.
The area of the castle is over 4000 sq. m., and its gardens, over which the best masters of landscape design work, occupy 55 hectares. The four towers of the Alcazar deserve special attention from visitors. Tower of the Inquisition, appeared in the 15th century. It is the tallest of the Alcazar towers. Chief among the four is the Tower of Respect, decorated with Gothic ornaments. The oldest of them is the Tower of Lions from the northwestern part of the fortress. The Night Guard Tower was rebuilt in the last century.
Medina al-Zahra
After driving a few kilometers west of Cordoba, you find yourself in the 10th century, when the Umayyad dynasty ruled the Pyrenees. One of them, Caliph Abd al-Rahman III, ordered the construction of a "shining city" that could become a symbol of power for the new Caliph and demonstrate his superiority over rivals in North Africa.
Medina al-Zahra is often called the medieval Arab Versailles. The architects used the difference in ground levels and designed terraces, between which all the main buildings were distributed.
The city was built for about 40 years, and the son of the previous ruler was already finishing the work. What is worth seeing in Medina az-zahra when taking an excursion from Cordoba? Pay attention to the Grand Portico - the solemn and most significant entrance to the palace grounds. Appreciate the artistic value of the Rich Hall, where sumptuous royal receptions were held. Marvel at the aerial arches of the House with a Pond, which served as a place of seclusion for the owners of the palace. Admire the craftsmanship of the builders who carved the platform into the rock on which the Royal House was erected with rich arabesques and inlays.
Unfortunately, in the Middle Ages, the "shining city" was plundered and partially destroyed, but recent restorations allow guests to fully appreciate the splendor and scope of the complex. The most impressive finds are on display at a museum recently opened in Medina al-Zahra.
Palace Merced
The Merced Palace stands on the site where the monastery of La Merced Calzada once stood. Excavations have shown that the palace appeared on the site of ancient Roman and medieval buildings, possibly the early Christian Visigothic basilica of Saint Eulalia. At the beginning of the XIII century. King Ferdinand III of Castile presented the basilica to Peter Nolasco, the founder of the Order of the Mercedaria, now canonized. He ransomed many Christians from Arab captivity, spending on this everything that his wealthy father bequeathed to him.
The palace acquired its present appearance in the 18th century. It was later restored in 1850 and 1960, and today the public service of the local municipality sits in the Palacio de la Merced.
Archaeological Museum
In 1987, a museum was opened in the palace building in Piazza Jerónimo Paesa, presenting archaeological finds and rarities discovered in and around Cordoba. The collection was collected long before the exhibition moved to the Palais de Paesa de Castillejo. For the first time, historical values were presented to the public in the middle of the 19th century.
The huge collection of the Archaeological Museum of Cordoba includes thousands of exhibits. In the halls of the museum you will see ancient Roman and medieval finds, objects from the times of Arab rule, original documents and historically important artifacts.
The most valuable exhibits of the museum: a ceramic vase from the Ramblas, dating from the beginning of the Bronze Age; Stele de Ategua depicting hunting scenes; statuette of an Iberian lion, dated to the 4th century. BC NS.; a set of silver bowls and coins of the Iberian Treasury; Roman copy of the sculpture of Aphrodite of Bithynia, 2nd century. n. NS.; mosaic on a marble slab depicting a bacchanalia, measuring about 7 sq. m. and dating back to 160 and much more.
Julio Romero de Torres Museum
One of the most significant museums in Cordoba offers visitors a collection of works by the renowned Realist artist who was born and lived in the city and dedicated his work to him and its inhabitants. In the building of the old city hospital, where de Torres's works are exhibited, you will also find the Museum of Fine Arts of Cordoba.
The museum displays the largest collection of the artist's works in the country, donated to the city by his widow after the master's death. In one of the rooms, photographs of the de Torres family, his home in Cordoba, are displayed. You will see the original furnishings, furniture, palettes and brushes of the master, as well as his guitar.
The dominant genre of de Torres is the portrait of a female nude, but the museum also displays many other works by the painter. The stands display posters and labels of various products designed by the artist.
Synagogue of Cordoba
For five hundred years, a large Jewish community lived in Cordoba, which built the most important synagogue in the country. Its construction began in 1315, and during the construction was used the most popular architectural style of that time - Mudejar. In 1492, Jews who refused to accept Catholicism were expelled from Spain. The synagogue turned into a hospital, and then completely into a Christian chapel.
The true value of the building came to light after many centuries. At the end of the XIX century. archaeologists discovered the date of construction, carved in stone, and soon the synagogue was declared an architectural monument. The luxurious decor has survived only in the upper part of the walls of the building, but the skillful stone carving still amazes the imagination of anyone who came to see the ancient synagogue of Cordoba.
