Córdoba is a very beautiful city at the river Guadalquivir, not too big and full of historic monuments. The califate of Córdoba was during the 9th century independent and had probably more power than the califate of Damascus.

Cordoba is a beautiful city on the Guadalquivir, not too big, and full of historical treasures. The caliphate of Cordoba was during the 9th century independent and arguably more powerful that the caliphate of Damascus. A splendid mezquita was built, large parts of which were left intact when Christian forces re-conquered the town and converted it into a cathedral. The mezquita’s exterior walls are adorned with some spectacular gates, some of which open into the patio of orange trees, but it is the interior of the Mezquita which provides the best history lesson. Here the visitor will be impressed by the mixture of Moorish and Christian elements. There are features from all the ages, including Islamic prayer walls, Christian altars, all mixed in the building’s various rooms in dubious harmony.

The judería, the old Moorish and Jewish quarter surrounding the mezquita, is one of Spain’s most typical pre-Christian city centres. Minuscule labyrinthine streets, water and flower-adorned patios, as well as inviting restaurants and tapas bars are the order of the day here. In May a festival called the the Cruces de Mayo (crosses of may) consists in food and drink booths set up and decorated with flowers at street corners, with the intention to create a monumental street party. This weekend event is followed by a whole week of open patios, during which the city’s most beautifully prepared patios are open to the public after the prize winners of a yearly competition have been selected. The handy guide tells you where the patios are and which ones have been awarded prizes this year. Take your camera and prepare to see some spectacular flower arrangements, both formal and informal.