Cordoba, 1000 years after

An October 2000 trip to Cordoba by Adelaide

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Cordoba was one of Europe's most important cities in the year 1000 AD, when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived in harmony. One millenium later, it preserves important monuments from its glorious past.

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  • 4 photos
The most famous attraction of Cordoba is the Mosque of Aljama, housing a Christian cathedral in its heart. It was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

Wander through the ancient narrow streets of the well preserved Jewish Quarter and its white houses.

Quick Tips:

For more information and images, check my Travel Notes: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/4363/travnote/

Best Way To Get Around:

Everything I saw was within walking distance.

I didn't actually stay there, because it was full, but I visited it and liked it very much. As usual with Youth Hostels, it has a friendly relaxed atmosphere and gives us the opportunity to exchange experiences with other travelers, especially when you are travelling alone.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 11, 2000

Albergue Juvenil de Cordoba
Pza. Judá Leví Cordoba, Spain
957 290166

Mosque Of AljamaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Mosque of Aljama"

Cathedral
Cordoba's main attraction is the fascinating mosque, built from the 8th to the 10th centuries. Considered one of the best examples of Moorish religious art in Spain, it was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984. This enormous mosque - the third-biggest in the world - has countless columns topped with superimposed arches and magnificent mosaics, some of which were given by the Byzantine emperor Constantine VII.

This mosque initiated the so-called Califal style, which combined Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Syrian and Persian elements and was the starting-point of all Arabian-Hispanic architecture of the centuries to come, up to the Mudéjar-style of Arabians living in the Spain reconquered by Christians.

After the reconquest of Cordoba in 1236, a baroque church was built inside it and today it is the Cathedral of Cordoba.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 11, 2000

Mosque Of Aljama
Downtown Cordoba, Spain

Juderia - Jewish QuarterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Judería - the Jewish Quarter"

Juderia
Narrow winding streets invites us to the well preserved Jewish Quarter and its white houses. Jews helped the prosperity of this city, which housed Jewish academies that made of Cordoba a cultural and intellectual center.

Here you can find also one of the few synagogues existing today in Spain, this one built in 1315.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 11, 2000

Juderia - Jewish Quarter
Downtown Cordoba, Spain

Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos - The Palace of The Christian KingsBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos"

The Palace of the Christian Kings, built in 1328 by Alfonso XI, was the fortress where they lived during the reconquest period, but unfortunately it was closed during my visit. It was here that the Catholic Kings received Columbus prior to his voyage to the Americas. Its elegant gardens and its contents are magnificent, with Roman mosaics and sarcophaguses of the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 11, 2000

Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos - The Palace of The Christian Kings
Downtown Cordoba, Spain

PatiosBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Patios"

Patios
Many houses in the historical area have patios with fountains and flowers, introduced by the Moors - cross any gate and you will probably find one. Flowers and gardens are a characteristic of this city, once the capital of the Caliphate of Al-Andaluz.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Adelaide on November 11, 2000

Patios
Downtown Cordoba, Spain

About the Writer

Adelaide
Adelaide
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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