Cordoba
Cordoba is a city of philosophers, beautiful flowery streets and sophisticated patios where culture, history and architecture were shaped by three great religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Cordoba was founded by the Romans and quickly gained importance due to the strategic location of the Guadalquivir River. Due to the numerous and magnificent monuments that testify to the presence of many civilizations, the city was entered on the UNESCO list. Its greatest treasure is the Great Mosque (La Mezquita), which is considered to be one of the greatest works of Islamic architecture. It was built by order of the last prince of the Umayyad dynasty from 785 to the end of the 10th century on the foundations of a Roman temple and on the walls of the then existing Visigothic basilica, whose columns became the basis for the new construction. Over the centuries, it has undergone numerous modifications due to the ruling rulers. In turn, after the conquest of Cordoba by the Christians, they built several chapels in the mosque, and in the 16th century a Cathedral was built in the place of the prayer hall. Today, La Mezquita is the most important attraction of Córdoba, which attracts numerous tourists (admission 8 euro). However, it is a place that you must see, and its unusual and rarely found anywhere else in the world combination of cultures and religions makes a real impression and amazes!
One of the most magnificent viewpoints over the old town of Cordoba and the Mosque is the restored Roman bridge: Puente Romano (Roman Bridge). At its southern end there is a fortified watchtower from the Muslim era (12th century), Torre de la Calahorra. Its task was to defend the crossing to the other side of the river by Christian knights. Today, it houses the Museo Vivo del Andalus, presenting the achievements of three cultures coexisting in Cordoba.
Another must-see when visiting Cordoba is Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, which surprises with the beauty hidden inside its defensive walls, because the courtyards and gardens sparkle with countless exotic trees, shrubs and flowers. The fountains located here are worth seeing, especially on summer evenings, when a magical light and water spectacle is organized.
Cordoba is one of those cities where it is worth simply "getting lost". Walking between the numerous narrow streets decorated with flowers (the most famous is Calleja de las Flores), we can admire the real Spanish atmosphere, coming across numerous squares filled with restaurants, or open buildings with patios inside. One of the most beautiful parts of the old town is the former Jewish district, the so-called JuderÃa., Of which the most important monument is synagogue built in 1315, one of three preserved from that period in all of Spain.
In particular, it is worth going to Cordoba in May, because then the Fiesta de las Crices and Fiesta de los Patios Cordobeses take place, when residents compete in the competition, open their patios and the flower carpets hidden inside them, hand-made Arabic mosaics, refreshing fountains and beautiful terraces.