Heinblog: Cordoba

Cordoba was the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba. The most famous landmark from that era is the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, built mostly in the 10th century.

In Cordoba, even the parking structures are fortified!

One great restaurant we ate at was Casa Rubio.

Rabo de toro - bull tail

Berenjenas - eggplant

Pastel Cordobes

The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos was built in the 14th century after the Reonquista.

It served as one of Isabella's and Ferdinand's primary residences.

This Roman sarcophagus is from the 3rd century. Romans founded Cordoba; it was sacked by Caesar during his war with Pompey.

A mosaic from the 2nd century.

The Alcazar was built on the old Umayyad alcazar. The Umayyads built their castle on the site of the old Visigothic fortress.

Cordoba is full of beautiful gardens and the Alcazar's is no exception.

Christopher Colombus had his first audience with Isabella and Ferdinand here in 1486.

Goofy

A monument to the Archangel Raphael, the guardian angel of Cordoba

The Roman bridge, built over the Guadalquivir River, originally built in the 1st century B.C.

The inhabitants of Cordoba want to make sure you know the reason for the season.

The exterior of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is impressive in its own right.

The mosque was originally built on a Visigothic cathedral.

One of the most breathtaking sights in Europe waits inside.

Construction began on the Mosque in the 8th century.

The Moorish style is a mix of Arab influence with existing Roman and Visigothic structures.

The double tiered arches, an innovation of the mosque, may have been based on Roman aqueducts.

They may have also been practical; the existing Roman and Visigothic arches weren't tall enough, so another set of arches had to be added.

Tradition has it these mosaics were done by Byzantine craftsmen in the 10th century as a gift to the Umayyad Caliphate from the Byzantine Empire.

The Umayyad Caliphate collapsed in the 11th century, and work on the mosque ceased.

In 1236 Castile conquered Cordoba and converted the mosque into a church.

Charles V allowed the first major changes to the Mosque-Cathedral. He later remarked of the new Capilla Mayor, "you have destroyed something unique to build something commonplace."