Cordoba has an Old City, where you can see the cultural and historical sites, especially many of them from the time of the Caliphate of Cordoba, founded by the Moors and occupied in the Middle Ages, almost the entire Iberian Peninsula.
Top 10 Sights of Cordoba
After ancient Rome, Cordoba was conquered and destroyed by barbarians, and later, in the 8th century, by Arab armies. In the 10th century, the Caliphate of Cordoba and the city of Cordoba reached its heyday and became the center of Arab science.
In the 13th century, during the Reconquista, Cordoba was conquered by the King of Castile. Since then, all of Cordoba’s history has been closely tied to Spain and the Catholic Church. Cordoba’s rich history has given the world many architectural and historical monuments.
Mesquite
This cathedral mosque of the caliphate was erected in the 8th century on the site of an older church. And in the 13th century, after the fall of Moorish statehood, it became a Catholic temple. Mesquita is one of the masterpieces of Moorish architecture.
The temple, originally built according to ancient Roman canons, has been rebuilt many times. It was the most beautiful mosque in Cordoba, where in Moorish times there were at least a thousand of them. Each victory of the Arab armies added a new mosque.
The Alcázar of Cordoba
During the Early Middle Ages, an ancient fortress built by the Visigoths stood on the site of the alcazar. After the conquest of these lands by the Caliphate of Damascus, the fortress was rebuilt. It was used as their palace by many sheikhs.
Gradually the alcazar expanded, with Arabic baths and gardens. Water mills were set up on a nearby river. Here was the largest Arab library. It was later the seat of the Spanish Inquisition.
Jewish Quarter
The Jews had lived in Cordoba since Moorish rule, but after the Reconquista with the arrival of the Catholic Church, the Castilian kings decided in the late 15th century to expel Jewish families from Cordoba.
The Jewish quarter of Chuderia is a historical landmark of Cordoba and has preserved the spirit of Mauritania. Even today you can wander through the narrow medieval streets and see Jewish homes that haven’t changed in centuries.
Roman Bridge
This bridge was built in the 1st century AD. in the era of the ancient Roman rule over Cordoba. It is part of another historical monument – the road of Emperor Augustus. The Moors came later and repaired this bridge.
Interestingly, up until the middle of the 20th century, thanks to the quality of construction, it was in working order. There were cars driving on the bridge. Only at the beginning of this century did the authorities of Cordoba decide that only pedestrians could walk on it.
Roman Temple
The ruins of this ancient temple were discovered by road workers in a busy part of the city, at an intersection in the middle of the last century during repair work. Archaeologists believe it was the city’s main temple during Antiquity.
It was erected in the 1st century AD. according to the rules of Roman architecture of the time. Historians have concluded that Roman emperors were worshipped and sacrificed here, as the colonies were supposed to do.
Merced Palace
This palace is a beautiful example of Spanish Baroque, it was built in the 18th century on the site of a Christian basilica and monastery. In the 1960s, the palace was damaged in an arson attack by a madman, and restoration is still going on.
In the center of the palace is the church. The front staircase is made of marble. Inside the palace are luxurious interiors. The interior patios are built in the style of the Spanish Renaissance, there you can see Flemish paintings, sculptures, etc.
Vianna Museum
The building of the future museum was built in the 14th century on the ruins of a Roman villa. Two centuries later, a new facade of the palace was erected, which the citizens and visitors of Cordoba see today.
This building was last reconstructed and restored in the mid-20th century. At that time it was owned by a local bank, which founded the museum. Today, magnificent art collections are on public display here.
Bullfighting Museum
The Spaniards believe that bullfighting was born in Andalusia, and its last fight will take place here. In this museum you can learn a lot about the history and rules of bullfighting, the most famous bullfighters, their best bullfights and more.
Here you will see the clothes and weapons of famous toreros, in which they performed in the arena, their personal belongings, photographs, etc. For Spaniards, bullfighters are the greatest “stars,” real idols, which they worship.
Archaeological Museum
This museum is located in a palace that once belonged to one of the city’s most influential aristocratic families. It was built in the 16th century, and today it is in excellent condition.
The museum houses a rich collection of Roman, Visigothic and Moorish artifacts discovered by archaeologists in Cordoba over the centuries, confiscated from the church and donated to the city.
Flower Street
Cordoba is home to the ancient Arab Quarter, where this one of the city’s most beautiful streets is located. Flower Street has long been one of the hallmarks of Cordoba: the walls of houses and courtyards here are decorated with fresh flowers.
With the onset of spring, the entire street blooms, filled with gorgeous scents. Residents of the street invite tourists to their floral patios, for a fee you can walk around all the courtyards and enjoy their beauty.
Video overview of the sights of Cordoba
Cordoba is a city and one of the provinces of Spanish Andalusia. It has an ancient history dating back to the days of Phoenicia and ancient Rome. Today it is a modern, developed city with a population of over 320,000 people.
