History
Cordoba is situated in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in southern Spain. Cordoba was founded during the Roman occupation and was occupied by Muslims for many centuries before the occupiers were eventually pushed out. No other city in Spain has more historical significance than Cordoba. Once the capital of Moorish Spain, Cordoba was once thought to be the largest city in the world. It was also considered to be the most advanced with paved streets, sewage systems and street lighting – in the 11th century this was unheard of. Cordoba was also considered the world’s intellectual epicentre with libraries, early universities and research centres all over the city.
Cordoba has been an important area of the world in almost every era of human development. The region is known to have been the home of Neanderthal man, approximately 32000 years before the birth of Christ. A settlement is known to have existed 800 years before the birth of Christ, making it one of the first anywhere in Europe. The city was conquered by the Roman Empire in 206BC and it is known by historians that a Roman forum existed within the city around 113BC. During the reign of Julius Caesar, Cordoba was the capital of the Roman province, Hispania.
The city began a long and low decline during the renaissance of the 18th century and the population dwindled to just 20000 inhabitants. The city, with its rich cultural and historical past, was declared a world heritage site in 1984. The current population stands at just over 350,000. The city’s location, between the southern cities and Madrid, has made the modern Cordoba a city of great economic significance. The city enjoys fast rail links and a growing economy.
Places to visit
Plaza de San Jose – The Plaza de San Jose was started in 1813 and is an octagonal concourse designed by famous architect, Vicente Guttierez. It combines the Baroque and and neo-classical styles seamlessly.
Las Descalzas Convent – This is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture, built in 1671. There is a fantastic selection of works of art, carvings and intricate plasterwork.
Santa Maria del Soterrano Church – The legend of the church goes that during the construction of the church in the 1500s, the image of Mother Mary could be seen in an underground room, giving the church its name. The gothic structure was designed by Hernan Luiz in 1530. There are two Baroque style chapels in the church, built nearly one hundred years apart.
Clock Tower – The stunning clock tower of Aguilar was built in 1671 and is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city.
Almodovar Castle – The castle was built by the ruling Moors in the year 720. Standing at 252 metres tall, the castle was originally owned by the Caliphate of Cordoba but has been home to several regional monarchs throughout the years. The striking architecture of the Royal Fortress and its rich history make it a must-see. The spectacular vistas seen from the castle must be seen to be believed.
Convent of Santa Clara – The abbey is one of the key religious symbols of Cordoba and is home to the famous biscuit selling nuns. The nuns are forbidden to show their faces, a tradition that stretches back to the 1512 when the nunnery was originally founded. The convent includes Mudejar, Renaissance and Gothic architecture and reflects the different cultures that have influenced the building.
Castle of Montilla – The castle was started in the 15th century and stands on Montilla’s highest point. The citadel is so huge, it actually houses a palace and a patio for up to 400 horses. The ruins can still be made out along with the original towers and fortifications.
Casa de la Inca – This is now home to the Biblioteca Amercanista and the Ashlar marbles make it a truly unique building.
Church of Santiago – Completed in the 16th century, the church is now home to sculptures and various works of art.
Seville Gate – Built in the 10th century, the gate has both Christian and Muslim influences. The sculpture of Los Enamorados stands close by and depicts the Moorish port, Ibn Zaydun and his princess Wallada.
Cuisine
The city of Cordoba is full of international influences and nowhere is this more evident than in the cuisine. The Moors (Muslims) were the first people to trade in olive oil from the city and this is a huge influence in all Cordoban food. The north African influences are shown by the frequent use of almonds, oranges, dates and figs, all thought to originate from ancient Moroccan cuisines. Cordoban food is famed for its rich, full flavours and the startling use of colour from spices such as cumin and saffron. Although Cordoba is not a coastal city, fish is still the main basis for the local cuisine.
While Cordoba is famous for its paella, there are a number of dishes that are specific to the region. Cordoban gazpacho is a staple food of Andalusia and is a cold soup made with tomatoes, garlic and vinegar. Salchichon de Pozo Blanco is a very popular local sausage and the rabo de toro, or oxtail stew, is a Cordoban speciality. The local jamon, produced in the Alpujarran village is loved by the locals and should be tried when visiting the region. There are also a number of fantastic local desserts to try including tocino de cielo which is made with egg yolks. The alfajores is also a very popular local dessert, made with honey and almonds. The city is also well known for its tapas bars and restaurants.
Accommodation
There are a number of options for accommodation in Cordoba that cater for both budget holiday-makers and those looking for a little bit of luxury. The great thing about this city is that many of the hotels and apartments are authentically Spanish. This allows a visitor to get a real flavour of the region. Many of the hotels are buildings with hundreds of years of history, set in beautiful surroundings. Cordoba is not one of the main Spanish coastal resorts so rooms are at a premium, especially at peak times. The area is becoming increasingly popular so it’s vital that people book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Weather
Situated right in the middle of the Andalusian autonomous community, Cordoba lies on the Guadalquivir River, with its climate being typically Spanish. The area is influenced by the coastal breezes from the Atlantic and the nearby Sierra Morena Mountain. Cordoba in the summer is one of the hottest areas anywhere in Europe. It is not uncommon for temperatures to exceed 40C in July and August. Rain during these summer months is extremely rare with most summers not experiencing a single drop.
The winter months are relatively mild and pleasant. There are five hours of sunshine per day in December and January with very little rain. The rainy seasons in Cordoba tend to occur in the spring and autumn months. The winter temperatures can hover just above zero at their coldest, so it is important for tourists to remember that many homes in Spain don’t have central heating. Plenty of warm clothing should be packed!
Transport
Getting around Cordoba is easiest by taxi. If you are part of a group, this can often be the cheapest option. Taxis can be found in all parts of the city but are most prevalent at the major attractions and train station. Most hotels and restaurants will order a taxi by telephone when requested and this may be a good idea as taxis will not be found in the same numbers as most of the major Spanish resorts. Taxis will be coloured white and an official cab number will be painted on the side of the car.
Tourists should be wary of taxi drivers trying to negotiate a fare. City laws state a meter must be used and if this is not the case, another taxi should be sought. It is also worth remembering that drivers in this area very rarely speak English, so having a few words of Spanish in the vocabulary might be a good idea. There is a regular bus service but the convenience and relative low cost of local taxis make hailing a cab a much better option.
