Cordoba, the former capital of Al-Andalus

Córdoba, a great incentive destination in Andalucía in the South of Spain, is the former capital of Al-Andalus. Being the seat of throne of the Spanish caliphate since the year 719 AD the town kept growing to a metropolis and was the most populated city in Europe during the 10th century. It set the tone of Hispano-Arabian arts, and one can still find many monuments in Córdoba that are leading back to this highly prosperous period.

The “Mezquita”, actually the cathedral of Córdoba, is one of the biggest mosques in the world, and one of the most famous landmarks of the islamic architecture worldwide. Construction began in the 8th century, and it was enlarged several times over the centuries. After the catholic “Reconquista” of Córdoba in 1236, King Fernando III. erected a cathedral inside the mosque. The “Cathedral–Mezquita” is one of the most important and most beautiful cultural monuments of the world, and was declared a Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

The heart of Córdoba is the “Judería”, a labyrinth of narrow little streets of whitewashed houses with windows and corners beautifully decorated with flowers. Here you can find the synagogue, another witness of time, which was set up about 1315 in Mudéjar style. The women’s gallery and the stucco works with hebrew inscriptions are extraordinarily remarkable.

The “Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos” is a medieval fortress next to the Guadalquivir river that crosses the city.This complex of buildings and gardens reached major significance in the 15th century when the Catholic Kings Isabel and Fernando were residing here during 8 years. The main attraction of the Royal Fortress is its magnificent backyard gardens with its beautiful fountains, basins and well-cut hedges.

Contact us for more information on Córdoba, and the neighbouring Andalusian cities of Sevilla, Carmona, Granada, Ronda, Jerez, Cádiz and Málaga at info@ambiance-incentives.com