CORDOBA
Getting There
Distance from Seville is approx 145 km and the best way to travel is by train.
Trains leave Seville at least once and hour and twice an hour during rush hour.
Journey time between Seville and Cordoba is around 45 minutes.
The monuments are around 20 minutes walk from the railway station but there are
taxis available.
There is also a bus service from Seville to Cordoba and the journey time for this is
around 90 minutes.
What’s Best to do during a Short Visit?
The historic city walk comes highly recommended. It is suggested that a leisurely
stroll through the city taking in the Jewish Quarter should be followed by a visit to
the Alcazar and, of course, the Mosque.
Opening Hours
Will need checking closer to the time but the general schedule in Autumn is:
Mosque-Cathedral is open:
Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm
Sunday more limited opening tbc
NB Many of the museums in Cordoba are closed on a Monday including the
Alcazar, Synagogue, Julio Romero de Torres Museum and Medina Azahara
Some history of Cordoba
The origins of Cordoba are lost in the mists of time. Its position by the river and the
fertile farming land of the Campiña made it a perfect place for the first prehistoric
settlements. However, it was not until the late Bronze Age (8th/9th century B.C.)
when the first proper settlement was established. After the arrival of the
Phoenicians and Greeks on the peninsula, the city became known as an important
mining and commercial centre, since the River Guadalquivir was then navigable as
far as Cordoba. This facilitated the spread of artistic and commercial products and
made for easier communication with the main cities of the period.
What can you see in Cordoba?
The Cordoba Mezquita and Medina Azahara are ranked as two of the most
desirable tourist attractions in Andalucia.
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CORDOBA’S GREAT MOSQUE Arguably one
of the most beautiful examples of Islamic
workmanship Cordoba's great mosque (La
Mezquita) is the jewel in the crown of the
Province of Cordoba, and possibly the whole
of Andalucia.
Construction of Cordoba's Great Mosque
begun in 784 A.D. and took well over two
centuries to be completed. Once finished it
was the most magnificent of all the mosques
in Cordoba and at the time it was also the second largest of all the mosques in the
Muslim world.
Once inside the outer walls there is a pleasant courtyard/garden. The interior is
most notable for the symmetry of the 1000 plus columns that support the high
ceilings.
The columns are made from marble, granite, onyx and jasper that were originally
from pieces of a Roman temple that lay on the same site.
The conversion of it from an Islamic Mosque to a Christian church is very obvious
as the interior walls are decorated with tributes to prominent people of the
province and there is a large altar located in the centre of the building.
MEDINA AZAHARA
The 1000 year old ruins of the forgotten city of
Medina Azahara are a remarkable site.
Built approximately five kilometres from the
city of Cordoba the ruins were buried until
about 95 years ago.
However, before it was buried Medina Azahara
was the largest known city in Western Europe
to have been built with a new canvas - there
were no previous ruins.
The site of the city was very strategic. Located between the sierra and the plains it
has wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. The entrance to the site is at
its highest point and as you enter the view is spectacular as you can basically
make out the entire layout of the city.
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ALCAZAR DE LOS REYES CRISTIANOS
The Alcazar palace was built in the 13th century by
King Alfonso XI, and until the late 15th century, the
kings of Spain used the Alcazar as a royal residence.
The palace has two courtyards and Arab baths. On
display in the Inquisition Tower are impressive 2ndC
Roman mosaics-discovered in Corredera Square-and a
3rdC Roman sarcophagus carved from one piece of
marble. The renaissance gardens, refreshed by
abundant fountains and pools, are in Arab style.
THE JEWISH QUARTER
The Jewish Quarter is the best-known part of
Cordoba's historic centre, which was declared a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 and is one
of the largest in Europe. To the northwest of the
Mosque-Cathedral along the city wall, its
medieval streets have a distinctly Moorish flair to
them, reminiscent of the Jews' prosperity under
the Caliphate of Cordoba.
FINE ARTS MUSEUM
The Fine Arts Museum of Cordoba was created in
1844 and houses some of the most impressive
Spanish art to have been present in here. The
paintings are mostly Christian in theme and span
Medieval and Renaissance periods to Modern and
Contemporary Art.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
The Archaeological Museum of Cordoba is located
in a pleasant little square with a charming 'tapas'
bar just outside. The Museum itself is full of
historical discoveries from the region. Features
include Roman Culture, Visigoth Art and AlAndalus.
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VIANA PALACE COURTYARDS
The Courtyards of the Viana Palace are an excellent
tribute to the 'patio' culture of this Province. There are
12 courtyards and a large garden within the palace
and each of them provides visitors with unbelievable
photo opportunities.
For more information, please visit: www.turismodecordoba.org
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