Things to Do in Cordoba

The Mezquita of Cordoba is one that would easily make the list. Built in 785 AD by the local ruler of the time, it remains one of the city's most outstanding tourist attractions. Original mosaics still cover the walls and floors. Its red and white arches beckon visitors to enter and see them. The large horseshoe shapes were constructed from onyx, marble and granite and would be considered works of art anywhere.

Once inside, even older parts are visible, including the remains of the Visigothic church on which Moors built the mosque. 'New' features are just as prominent, including the 13th century nave built after the Moorish rulers were driven out during the long Reconquest period. Walking among the dozens of columns it's easy to imagine living in those days.

Next door is the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fortress built by and for the conquerers. Today, that war is an item in history books that won't intrude on the peaceful atmosphere created by the numerous gardens and fountains in the interior. Watermills on the nearby Guadalquivir River supply the water that irrigates the plants.

Begun in 1328 AD, it was the site at which Queen Isabella received Christopher Columbus before he set sail. It also served as one seat of the Holy Inquisition, begun by her in 1492. Walking past the gardens one finds many ancient Arab-style baths covered with Roman mosaics. This is typical of the cosmopolitan city that is Cordoba.

Behind the mosque is La Juderia, the ancient Jewish quarter. This warren of narrow passageways holds many of Cordoba's finest restaurants, some of which date back to the Middle Ages. There are also souvenir shops, bars and sidewalk cafes.

Along one of the streets is a synagogue built in the 14th century. Among other delightful sights, it holds a monument to the famed philosopher Maimonides, who lived in the city during the 12th century.

An excellent view of these sights, and many others, can be gained from atop the Torre de la Calahorra. Built in 1369 to serve as a defensive tower, it now supplies one of Cordoba's most spectacular tourist thrills.

Located next to the ancient Roman Bridge, the tower was used as a prison in the 18th century and later, in the 19th, as a school for women. Today it houses the Living Museum of Al-Andalus, which contains many interesting bits of information about this Andalucian city.

One of the sights visible from the tower is the Palacio Museo de Viana, one of the few royal palaces accessible to visitors here. Just past the entrance is the carriage house where one can see many examples of this fine mode of transport used by its former residents.

Visitors can enjoy any of twelve different courtyards, each with a distinctive air. Some of that air is scented with jasmine, bougainvillea and wisteria. The sights are equally lovely, thanks to the orange and lemon trees, along with an ancient Holm oak.

Be sure to leave time to visit the Museo de Bellas Artes in Plaza del Potro. It offers many works by Spanish masters, including Goya, Murillo and Zurbaran. The museum houses paintings and sculpture from the 14th through the 20th centuries. Outside is an outstanding sculpture of a stallion in a fountain created in 1557.

The Mezquita of Cordoba

Europe is full of magnificent churches, cathedrals and other religious structures. But few are as unusual as the famed Mezquita of Cordoba in the region of Andalucia.

Begun at the end of the 8th century while Spain was under Moorish rule, it continued to evolve long after the Reconquest in 1236 AD. The result is a fascinating mixture of medieval mosque, Gothic church and early 16th century cathedral.

The Islamic influence is clear throughout the Mezquita (Spanish for 'mosque'). The most obvious are the hundreds of pillars made of granite, onyx and marble. Refashioned from parts of a Roman temple and other buildings that occupied the site centuries earlier, they support traditional-looking red and white striped high arches that draw the eyes up to the magnificent ceiling. Though traditional in style, the effect is tremendous, especially since there are two rows, the upper level supported by the lower.

Another prominent Moorish feature is the late-10th century mihrab, a domed shrine that is covered with Byzantine mosaics. This section of the Mezquita alone would make the structure famed throughout the art world. The honeycomb design is covered with blue tiles that clearly mark the Moorish influence. Covered with their easily-recognized floral and geometric designs, it is considered one of the finest examples of Islamic art in the world.

After the Reconquest by King Ferdinand, changes were in store for this amazing site. During the 13th century Alfonso X began construction of the Villaviciosa Chapel. Another was added by Enrique II in the 14th century, a stellar example of the Mudejar style. The nave was later built under the watchful eye of Carlos V, Holy Roman Emperor of the mid-16th century.

It was also during this period that the early-Baroque cathedral inside was begun. Many mosques were simply torn down or converted over the centuries before the final conquest of the Moors in 1492. In the case of the Mezquita, the structure was modified instead, mostly in the interior. The cathedral, complete with choir stalls, is one of the most prominent examples of that.

Another is the Torre del Alminar, a minaret once used to call the Muslims to prayer, later surrounded with a Baroque belfry, one of the few changes to the outside of the building. Visitors can climb to the top and obtain one of the best views of Cordoba through its arched openings.

Unlike many European-style cathedrals, the mosque was designed as a more open structure. As a result, the interior is not the only outstanding area that will delight visitors. The exterior offers the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Orange Trees). In spring, with the orange trees in bloom, delicate scents add to the enjoyment of the beautiful sights. From here, visitors then could make out many of the nineteen separate naves inside.