Córdoba is an Andalusian town with a glorious past. It was the most crowded city in the world in the 10th century and became a centre of learning for the Moors who conquered it in the 8th century. Exceptional examples of Islamic architecture can be found throughout the city, with the popular Mezquita, a mosque-cathedral, dominating the skyline on all sides.
Other top attractions in Córdoba include several Roman-era buildings. The city is also known for its nice flowers and meticulously landscaped patios, celebrated each year in May with the Patio Festival.
This charming Andalusian town is still close to Western Mecca because of La Mezquita, one of Europe’s most magnificent Islamic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mosque.
Top 10 Attractions Tourists in Cordoba
Here, we introduce you to the following ten best attractions for Tourists in Cordoba and search the services and entertainment facilities, accesses, and sights of the city.
- Tower Calahorra
- Calleja de las Flores
- Medina Azahara
- Palacio de Viana
- Juderia de Cordoba (Jewish Quarter)
- Synagogue Cordoba
- Puente Romano
- Festival de Patios
- Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
- Mezquita of Cordoba
Tower Calahorra
Calahorra Tower is another landmark of Cordoba representing Islamic architecture. The horseshoe-shaped tower at the southern end of the Roman bridge is Córdoba’s oldest defensive structure.
It was built by the Moors to guard the town against attackers. It originally consisted of an arched gate between two towers. The third tower was added by King Henry of Castile in the 14th century. Today, it houses a museum showing Córdoba’s history, including the peaceful coexistence of Christians, Jews and Muslims. It also showcases the achievements of the early culture, science and engineering that Andalusia was known for centuries ago.
Calleja de las Flores
The picturesque Calleja de las Flores is one of Córdoba’s most popular streets. However, it looks more like a narrow alley than a street because it cuts through the city’s Jewish Quarter. Colorful potted plants, window boxes and ornate balconies filled with flowers hang from the house, welcoming visitors strolling down the alley. Calleja de las Flores ends in a small square. Not only the colorful flowers but also the Mezquita, which provides an impressive backdrop for this eye-catching scene, is a great photo spot.
Medina Azahara
Medina Azahara (Madinat al-Zahra) was a stare 10th-century palace built for the caliph, about five miles from Córdoba. Legend has it that the caliph named it after his favorite concubine. However, there is evidence that he built it to show that his caliphate was the strongest in medieval Europe. The complex consisted of three terraces with a castle built on two upper floors. The terrace was surrounded by a wall, behind which a mosque was built. Palaces were built with lavish and ornate materials, including jewels.
The luxurious palace was destroyed after 70 years. It was rediscovered in the early 19th century and is being restored today.
Palacio de Viana
On the outside, the Palacio de Viana looks a bit unassuming, but step inside, and you’ll see how nobles lived in the 17th century. One of the finest noble houses in Córdoba, the palace is also known as the Museo de los Patios because it consists of 12 large courtyards, each decorated differently. Today, inside the building is a carriage museum, which is very appropriate since horse-drawn carriages were provided inside. Leather wall hangings; a library of 7,000 volumes, which also includes Flemish tapestries; An art gallery with a Roman tiled floor and other historical items reflecting the era.
Juderia Cordoba (Jewish Quarter)
Jews have lived in Córdoba since Roman times and enjoyed real prosperity after the city was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century. They became wealthy and held important positions at the Moorish court. The famous Jewish philosopher Maimonides was born here in 1126. A statue of him stands in Juderia’s Tiberias Square. The Jewish Quarter, with its maze of narrow streets, is a great place to shop for jewelry and silverware.
Cordoba Synagogue
Today, the main attraction of the Jewish Quarter is the ancient synagogue (La Sinagoga) on Calle de los Judios. It is one of only three main synagogues remaining in Spain. Built in the 14th century, the synagogue was converted into a hospital after the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492. In 1588 it became a Catholic chapel. Today it is a museum. Inside there are still inscriptions of Jewish psalms.
The rectangular main hall is decorated with floral motifs in the Mudéjar style. The wall supporting the women’s platform has three arches with elaborately decorated stucco.
Puente Romano
The Roman Bridge or Romano Puente is an amazing sight across the Guadalquivir River, which is Located in the historic centre of Córdoba; this bridge was built by the Romans and dates back to the 1st century AD. It has been rebuilt multiple times over the centuries. The current bridge keeps the Islamic flavour of the Moorish reconstruction, which reduced the number of arcades from 17 to 16. It is best seen at sunset, with Mesquite as the backdrop as the setting sun paints the stones a deep red. Halfway down the bridge is a statue of San Rafael, added in the 16th century.
Festival de Patios
The Los Patios festival takes place in mid-May, amid spring. The festival consists of contestants competing to open their yard to visitors, and the flowers will bloom to turn the yard into a beautiful home garden. Because of the hot and dry climate, Córdoba’s houses were built with central courtyards as early as Roman times. This saint was continued by the Moors and continues in many houses today. Filling the central evan with plants and fountains has always been a way to keep local homes cool.
The patio decoration has taken on a life of its own. We invite everyone to see the wonders of the Córdoba Patio on the 13th of May.
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
The Alcazar the Los Cristianos Reyes, or Citadel of the Christian Monarchs, was built in the 8th century as a fortress or palace for the Moorish caliphs. Córdoba’s main attraction, the Alcázar, became the residence of the Spanish kings and queens who ruled there for 160 years. Christopher Columbus came here to receive funds from Ferdinand and Isabella for a trip to unknown lands. It later became a prison, and today, it is a general museum for those who want to see ancient relics. But the main attraction of this popular Córdoba landmark is the fountain and fenced backyard garden that honors Alcázar’s Islamic heritage.
Mezquita of Cordoba
Although it didn’t start that way, the result of the Mezquita represents the ecumenical efforts of the different religions that conquered Córdoba in their respective eras. The original Roman temple was the substitution for a Visigothic basilica. It became a mosque in the 8th century when the Moors occupied the city. Once upon a time, it was a place of Muslim pilgrimage, where the original Koran and the hand bones of Muhammad were kept. It became a cathedral again in the 13th century when Córdoba was conquered by the Christians.
They almost kept the stunning Islamic architecture of this Córdoba landmark simply by dedicating and renaming it.