University of Cordoba (Universidad de Cordoba)
About Cordoba, Guide and Top Tourist Attractions
(Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain)
Cordoba is a province located in the south of Spain. It has a rich history that fuses Muslim and Christian elements, resulting in a city that exhibits the best of both cultures through its architecture, food, and lifestyle.
Cordoba's history dates back to 711, when Moors inhabited the city. It is distinguished in European history as having fostered a Muslim community at a time when Christian domination was rampant throughout Europe. It had one of the largest communities and most sophisticated cultures in Europe before the Middle Ages, and at one point it serv ed as the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba. From 935 to 1013, Cordoba was believed to be the largest city in the world.
Today, Cordoba has shrunk to a moderate size but remains a major economic and commercial player in Spain and Europe. It is also a primary cultural centre, with many historic buildings and forts reminding people of its glorious past.
What to do in Cordoba
In July, visitors can check out the Cordoba Guitar Festival, one of the largest gatherings of musicians and fans in the world that celebrates the sensual music of the guitar. The festival holds free seminars and workshops in classical, flamenco, and jazz guitar. Visitors can also get the chance to meet famous guitarists such as B.B. King and Carlos Santana and see them perform.
Other cultural festivals worth seeing are the Cruces de Mayo (May Crosses) and the Patio Festival, during which the city is decorated with colorful streamers, banners, and flowers to celebrate their religious and environmental heritage. The Cordoba Festival is held later in the month.
Cordoba is known for its high-quality spas and relaxation centres. Pamper yourself with the famous Arabic Bath - many salons offer excellent service in and around the city centre. Massages and saunas are excellent in the city as well.
Tourist Attractions
The city's main attraction is La Mezquita, a beautiful Arabian mosque-turned-Catholic-cathedral. An estimated 1.5 million people of different faiths travel to Cordoba to see this elegant historical structure. It is the largest place of worship in the world, with a floor space of more than 24,000 square metres. Expensive building materials such as jasper, quartz, and marble were used to make the 856 columns that hold up the massive structure.
Cordoba is also famous for its floral patio arrangements. A sense of competition exists between the residents for the most beautiful patios, and to the passerby, each patio is a pleasure to look at. Take a walk around one of the villages to see some of the best-designed lawns in Europe.
An even grander display of Cordoba's well-preserved flora can be found at the many gardens and parks in the city. The Cordoba Botanical Garden, located beside a stretch of the Guadalquivir River, is known for its pristine green lawns and rich flower fields, beautifully set off by ancient Arab mills. Also take note of the many Spanish fir trees, a rare species indigenous to the area.
