"An Autumn Weekend in CORDOBA" a Córdoba Travel Page by Krystynn

Welcome to the beautiful Moorish city of CORDOBA, one of the most important capitals of Europe in the 11th century.

Whilst the rest of Europe was undergoing a particularly difficult period known as the Dark Ages, CORDOBA and the rest of Andalusia (i.e. southern Spain) was thriving economically and bustling with activities. It was THE center of medicine and science, language and art back then. Yes, the fabled city of CORDOBA in its heydays was as splendid and breathtaking as Babylon (read: Baghdad) in biblical times.

According to my trusted guidebook (Frommer's), the Islamic culture of al-Andalus was adopted by Christians and Jews living in that part of Spain. This culture continued even after the Moorish caliphate fell to Catholic rule. And the capital of this enlightened empire, until its fall in 1236, was none other than - yes, Cordoba.

As the capital of the most powerful kingdom in Islam (then), Cordoba boasted a population of half a million people. It contained thousands of mosques, tens of thousands of shops and libraries.... and was the envy of all Europe. Its palaces and baths were renowned for their opulence and it even had the first street lighting in Europe! Students and merchants came from all over Europe, Africa and even Asia to this cosmopolitan city which dominated Andalucia for three centuries.

Cordoba's charm, many centuries later, is still largely tied to its Moorish and Arab past. As you wander down its evocative streets in the restored heart of Cordoba - one of the largest medieval quarters in Europe - it is not difficult to imagine the days when Cordoba was one of the most important cities in the European continent.

Its great Mosque - The Mesquita (partly destroyed to construct a large cathedral inside) is one of the world's best known pieces of religious architecture consisting of hundreds of delicate marble columns and elegant arches.

And Cordoba's large Juderia is filled with charming shops and quaint cafes. For those interested in Jewish heritage, the tiny jewel-like medieval synagogue is one of last three remaining synagogues in Spain from before the Expulsion in the late-1400s.

CORDOBA is also a great town for hearing lovely Flamenco music. If you're as passionate as yours truly (read: ME!) about Flamenco..... this is definitely the place for you!

I hope you'll enjoy your virtual visit to this stupendous city just as much as we've enjoyed presenting this to you of our lovely autumm weekend.


"The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land."
- G. K. Chesterton

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Copyright (c) Krystynn 2003
Please do not take my personal pics without prior permission.
Thanks.