Cordoba

Guide to Cordoba, a historic city in the Andalucia region of Spain.

Cities of Andalucia - Cordoba

Cordoba Spain - At one time one of the largest cities in the world, Cordoba, capital of the Cordoba province of Andalucia, was a Roman provincial capital some 2,000 years ago.

Situated on the Guadaquivir River, Cordoba today has a population of 323,600 (2007) and is a medium sized, modern city with a wonderful historic and architectural heritage.

Cordoba’s golden age was during the Arab occupation of the Iberian Peninsular when it was the western capital of the Moorish Empire, at one time (during the 10th century), having a population of 500,000, a huge city in these ancient times.

Cordoba’s most famous landmark is the Mezquita, a great mosque originally built during the 8th century by Abd al Rahman I, reformed and extended over the centuries, it boasts a wonderful blend of architectural styles, including some ornate additions during the 10th century under Hakam II. Part of the old mosque was destroyed in the 16th century to make way for a new cathedral.

The most interesting areas of Cordoba are centred around the Mezquita in the old Jewish quarter, an area of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways which appear virtually unchanged since ancient times, whisking visitors back some 1,000 years to the times of Cordoba’s finest hours.

Around this area there are some fine places to visit including the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, a palace come fortress built by Alfonso XI in the 14th century, the Puente Romana, an arched bridge on its original Roman foundations, the Museo Taurino, with its many relics relating to the regions bullfighting history and the Palacio Episcopal, built in the 15th century on the site of a former Caliph’s palace and rebuilt in 1745.

Many of the cities Roman remains are housed in the Museo Arqueologico in Plaza Jeronimo Paez, amongst exhibits in this Renaissance building are also some important relics from the Moorish occupation.

Cordoba is located in northern Andalucia and is connected to Seville via the A-4 (E-5) and to Malaga via the A-45. While Cordoba does have its own airport, located 6 kilometres from the city centre, it does not serve as an international airport, the nearest major airports are at Malaga and Seville.

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