Go sightseeing
- 1. Would you like to go sightseeing? Visiting Cordoba
- 2. Strolling through the heart of Cordoba
- 3. A World Heritage Site Different cultures have marked the city of Cordoba that was the Roman and Moorish capital city, the centre of Western Europe. Situated on the banks of river Guadalquivir, it welcomed great philosophers like the Roman Seneca or Maimonides the Jew, writers like Luis de Góngora, or painters like Julio Romero de Torres. It has great monuments like the Mosque, the ruins of Medina Azahara and a beautiful Jewish quarter which made it be declared by the UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site in 1994.
- 4. The Roman Bridge This could be an essential walk for sightseers and visitors to Cordoba who are anxious to see the major tourist sights. Let’s start with some images of the Roman Bridge .
- 5. The Mosque If we walk uphill from the Roman Bridge, we’ll find one of the most important monuments in Cordoba, the Mosque.
- 6. Plan of Mosque Cathedral Orange Tree Courtyard Al-Hakam II Abd ar-Rahman I Abd ar-Rahman II Al Mansur Cathedral
- 7. Some interesting facts about the Mosque The original Mosque and the first two expansions make up about two-thirds of the width of the current building’s expanse. Abd Al-Raman II’s expansion was the most altered by the construction of the cathedral in the 16th century. At the back of the Mosque, on the south wall, is the richly decorated Mihrab, and to the left, the Cardinal’s Chapel, now the cathedral museum. Almanzor’s expansion is the largest, but the most poorly decorated part of the Mosque. The cathedral was begun in 1523 with Gothic structure, Renaissance vaulting and domes and baroque choir stalls and pulpits. It’s in the centre of the Mosque.
- 8. The Mosque: what can you see inside?
- 10. The flower street This is one of the most photographed streets in Cordoba. You can find it easily just north of the Mosque. The walls are lined with flowers and there is a fountain in the little square at the end of the street.
- 11. The Jewish Quarter The Jewish Quarter is the best-known part of Cordoba's historic centre and is one of the largest in Europe. To the northwest of the Mosque-Cathedral, this neighbourhood's history is a history of the Caliphate and of the West. Of special interest is the Synagogue.
- 12. The Synagogue It was built in 1315 in Mudejar style by architects led by Isaac Moheb. It consists of a courtyard which leads to a hallway, followed by the prayer room. On the eastern side of the hall there is a staircase that leads to the women's gallery. The gallery overlooks the prayer room through three decorative arches. After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, the building was devoted to various functions. It was declared a National Monument in 1885.
- 13. The Alcazar Palace It is a medieval Alcazar located next to the Guadalquivir river and near the Mosque. Built in the 8th century as caliphate residence, this complex of buildings and gardens reached major significance during the Middle Ages, when Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella lived there for eight years.
- 14. The Alcazar 3D
- 15. The Tower of Calahorra On the opposite site of the Roman bridge you can see the Tower of Calahorra which was reformed in 1630. Today it houses a museum dedicated to the three cultures that lived together in Cordoba: Christian, Moorish and Jewish.
- 16. You can also visit: 1 The Arch of Triumph
- 17. 2 Corredera Square One of the most traditional and most beautiful sites in the city of Cordoba is the so called Corredera Square (Plaza de la Corredera). Located in the heart of historic downtown, Corredera Square is a great place for having a rest while strolling through the city and its sights in some of the bars and cafes which are nestled under Corredera’s beautiful arcades
- 18. The Viana Palace The Viana Palace or Palacio de Viana is a beautiful 17th century mansion which today is a museum. There are tapestries, furniture, porcelain and paintings on display but its real joy are the patios and gardens. With an official recognition as an Artistic Garden there is plenty to see and wander through here.
- 19. There are more interesting places There are lots of places you must also visit, such as The Cristo de los faroles or the Potro Square situated very close to the Guadalquivir riverside.
- 20. Madinat Al-Zahra : outside the city This video shows some of the most wonderful views of this archaeological site and museum. Have a look at it and have fun!