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Places in Spain -
Cordoba
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Of
all
the
cities
that
we
have
visited,
Cordoba
is
one
of
the
most
attractive
and
the
most
pleasurable.
From
the
minute
you
enter
the
city,
the
welcome
is
obvious.
The
city
is
easy
to
get
to
via
major
highways
and
we
found
the
Cathedral
area
in
the
old
part
of
the
city
the
easiest
place
to
make
base,
for
visiting
all
the
attractions.
See
Cordoba
by
foot
or
by
horse
and
carriage.
Don't
try
to
navigate
the
maze
of
narrow
streets
by
car
and
parking
is a
severe
problem.
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Modern
Cordoba,
in
the
heart
of
Andalucia,
is a
small
city
with
a
big
heart.
The
modern,
pedestrianised
areas
in
Cordoba
merge
gracefully
with
the
narrow
streets
of
the
Juderia,
the
old
quarter
that
houses
the
world
famous
mosque.
Within
the
city
you
will
find
much
evidence
of
old
Spain.
Cordoba
was
established
by
the
Romans
in
152BC
after
which
it
enjoyed
6
centuries
of
rich
trade
in
olive
oil,
minerals
and
wool.
The
Moorish
conquest
in
the
8th
century
made
the
city
rich
in
Islamic
culture.
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Le
Mezquita
(Cathedral)
(pictured
above),
is
considered
the
most
important
Islamic
monuments
in the
western
world
and
although
it has
been a
Cathedral
since
the
Christian
re-conquest,
the
evidence
of the
former
Mosque
is
clear.
The
main
doorway
opens
up to
a huge
cobbled
courtyard,
the
Orange
Trees
Patio,
lined
with
low
trees
and
water
courses.
Construction
of
this
impressive
building
began
in 784
by
Abd-al-Rahman
II. As
you
wander
through
the
many
rooms
of the
Cathedral
you
will
see a
wide
variety
of
construction
styles
ranging
from
Islamic
to
Mudejar
and
Renaissance.
The
Cathedral
is
open
Mon-Sun
10am -
7pm
but
visits
are
interrupted
on
Sundays
for
services.
Entry
is
1.00ptas
including
a
ticket
to the
Alcazar
and
Torre
de la
Calahorra.
Staying
in the
vicinity
of the
Cathedral,
you
will
find
the
Puerta
del
Puente
(pictured
left),
and
the
San
Rafael
monument. |
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Before
you
move
on to
other
monuments
and
places
of
interest,
here
is a
good
place
to
call
at the
very
helpful
and
easy
to
find
tourist
office.
It is
known
to be
one of
the
most
unique
in
Spain.
It is
located
in the
Congress
Palace,
near
the
Cathedral.
The
setting
is a
chapel
and
has a
scale
model
of the
Cathedral
on
display.
The
museum
of
fine
arts
is
also
close
by and
worthy
of a
visit.
Here
you
can
take a
horse
carriage
around
the
city.
Follow
the
tourist
route
to see
the
Alcazar
de los
Reyes
Cristianos,
a
fortress
built
in
1327
by
Alfonso
XI. It
incorporated
a
Royal
house
and
the
gardens,
situated
alongside
will
leave
a
lasting
image
with
you,
forever.
Wander
through
the
cobbled
paths
along
a
series
of
water
courses,
well
stocked
with
fish
with
flower
beds
that
ooze
colour.
Original
Roman
carvings
and
columns
stand
as a
reminder
of
civilisations
gone
by. |
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Cross
the
main
road
and
then
cross
the
river
by
means
of the
Roman
bridge
(pictured
below,
right),
to see
the
Torre
de la
Calahorra,
dated
1369.
Originally
a
defence
tower,
it was
used
as a
jail
in the
18th
century
and a
school
for
women
in the
19th
century.
Today
it
houses
a
museum
and
has 14
rooms
for
you to
explore.
Open
Mon-Sun
10am-2pm
and
5.30pm-8.30pm.
Other
places
of
interest
include
the
Synagogue,
one of
only
three
such
buildings
in
Spain
today,
entrance
is
free
and
the
interior
plasterwork
is
quite
amazing.
Capuchinos
Square
is one
of the
most
significant
places
in the
city,
surrounded
by
whitewashed
buildings,
it was
built
in the
17th&18th
centuries,
together
with
the
convent
there.
In the
centre
of the
square
is the
most
worshipped
place
in the
city,
a
large
and
unusual
crucifix,
surrounded
by
iron
lamps.
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Palacio
de
Viana
dates
from
the
14th
century
and
because
of its
12
inner
courtyards
it is
named
the
museum
of
Cordovan
patios.
The
inner
rooms
house
rich
collections
of
porcelain,
mosaics,
paintings
and
firearms.
Entrance
is
approx.
1.000ptas,
Mon-Sat
9am-2pm.
Next
to the
town
hall
lie
the
newly
excavated
remains
of an
important
Roman
temple.
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There
are
many
plazas
in
which
to
rest
in the
city,
as
well
as
many
fine,
shady
parks.
All
over
the
city
are
statues
and
monuments,
churches
and
the
famous
flower
patios.
One of
the
major
squares
in
Cordoba
is the
Corredera,
(pictured
above),
formerly
used
for
bullfights
and
other
public
performances.
Take a
walk
through
and
sample
the
ambience
of one
of the
tapas
bars
or
restaurants.
At
weekends
it
plays
host
to a
flea
market.
Cordoba
has a
wealth
to
offer
the
visitor
and
local
handicrafts
are
popular,
including
the
handmade
leather
goods,
ceramic
ware
and
wickerwork.
The
southern
part
of the
province
of
Cordoba
is a
mountainous
region
scattered
with
tiny
villages
and
towns.
There
is
also
an
extensive
natural
park.
All
the
villages
have a
great
deal
to
offer
in the
form
of
culture
and
history.
Take a
few
days
out
exploring
them. |
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