Spain Travel III - Cordoba - Best places to visit

Review:Iulia

Cordoba La Mezquita - the most beautiful and original building of all Spain. The Cathedral Puente Romano: Roman bridge over Guadalquivir river, consisting of 16 arcs and once forming part of the Roman Via Augusta. In the central part of the bridge was added a monument to San Rafael, the town's patron, in 17th century. Torre de Calahorra: Arabian fortification at the Southern end of Puente Romano, originally consisting of two towers connected by an arc, to which was added a third tower in 14th century. Along the river there are rests of Moorish mills, most important being the mill of Albolafia, which was pumping water up to the gardens of the Alcazar. Vis-a-vis there is a Baroque monument to San Rafael of 1781. Alcazar de los Reyes CristianosXI (very beautifull) The Palace of the Christian Kings, built in 1328 by Alfonso, was residence until the reconquest of Granada. Here was kept prisoner the Moorish caliph Boabdil. In the interior of the palace there are remarkable Ara bian baths, Roman mosaics and a sarcophagus of of marble from 3rd century. Originally there were four towers at the corners of the Alcazar, three of which can be seen still today: the Torre de Los Leones, the oldest, which forms the entrance to the palace, the octagonal Torre del Homenajeand the round Torre del Rio. The fourth tower, Torre de la Vela, was destroyed in 19th century. What to eat: Gazpacho and Salmorejo, delicious and refreshing cold soups made mainly of mashed vegetables and olive oil is the indispensable first dish during the hot season. Equally indespensable is Jamon, cured ham, which is produced in extraordinary quality especially in Valle de los Pedroches. Salchichon de Pozo Blanco, a typical sausage, Caña de Lomo and Morcilla, blood sausage, are more specialities.

Despite of the hot climate, there are of course as well warm dishes: you should try specially the ragouts of oxtail, Estofado de Rabo de Buey, and of lamb, Cordero en Caldereta. The typical desserts mostly show Arabian influences: Alfajores, made of almonds and honey, Pestiños, a sweet fried in oil and covered with honey, and Pastel Cordobes are the best known. Cordoba: Excursions The Ruins of Medina-Azahara (8 km out of Cordoba) In 936 caliph Abdul Rahman decided he needed a new residential town, and had built Medina Azahara, at that time the largest town in all the region, by 10.000 workers within 25 years. 4.300 columns, all of them originating from older buildings in all the Mediterranean area. On top of a hill there was the palace, Alcazar Califal, below the administrative district with parks and gardens, while the actual town was located in the flat land. Chroniclers tell us about the extraordinary beauty of the palaces "Throne Hall" and "Golden Salon", both with arcs of ebony and ivory and ornaments of marble, gold and precious stones. In the center there was a basin filled with mercury, which reflected the rays of sunshine. This colossal work existed for only 74 years - then it was conquered and destroyed by the Bereberes. Most of the artworks were stolen, and many of them were lateron integrated in the many palaces of Cordoba. Medina-Azahara was all but forgotten, until archaeologists started to excavate it in 1910.
Spain Travel III - Cordoba - Best places to visit Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/internet-and-technologies/392522-spain-travel-iii-cordoba-best/