Cordoba - Andalucia Holiday

Cordoba (1.5 hours by car):

Alongside Granada, Cordoba is rich in the legacy of the Romans and, especially, the Moors and firmly recommended as a day trip during your stay in Illora. Cordoba, in its present style, was founded by the Romans who saw it as having strategic importance as the highest navigable point of the Guadalqivir River. It became a port of great importance and the centre for shipping Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Rome itself. The roman bridge remains intact across the river and will be one of the first sights you see when you get to the centre of Cordoba.

Cordoba became significantly more important when the Moors created the kingdom of El-Andalus and it remained the capital of the kingdom throughout the caliphate period. Successive Moorish rulers extended the Great Mosque – or “Mezqita” – time and time again creating a building of seemingly endless rows of red and cream arches that made the Mezkita one of the largest in Islam. Cordoba fell relatively early to the Christians – in 1236 - in the re-conquest. The Christians had established and maintained the habit of demolishing mosques and building churches on the site – as happened in Illora and Granada itself. In Cordoba, the Christians were so overcome by the beauty of the Mezqita that, uniquely, they kept it and simply built a cathedral within it. The Mezkita is a “must see” but you can readily fill an entire day in Cordoba – there is the Calahorra Fort, which guards the Roman bridge and the Alcazar – the fortress built by the Christians in 1328. Away from the impressive history of the place, Cordoba’s medieval quarter is a maze of narrow, winding streets, shaded flower-filled courtyards and picturesque city squares that make for a very enjoyable wander through the streets of Cordoba. In early May, householders in the quarter fill their patios with flowers in beautiful displays to compete for Cordoba's “most beautiful courtyard”.

Getting there: from the statue of San Rogelio in Illora drive out to the N-432 road from Granada. Driving to Cordoba could not be simpler, as this road will take you direct to the city. It is mostly a well maintained road with several sections of dual carriageway. Along the way to Cordoba, you will pass seemingly endless miles of olive groves, interrupted by lovely towns with churches or castles built on rocks and hills that are clearly visible from the road. It is tempting to leave the N-432 to look at each of these but you may find it better to come back another time as you will need a fully day to really enjoy all there is to see in Cordoba. As you reach the city, try to keep an eye on the landmarks you pass as these will help you leave again at the end of the day. There is a tricky one way system in Cordoba which can divert you off in the opposite direction to where you want to go. We experienced this ourselves ! Signage is there but the distractions of Cordoba left us headed in entirely the wrong direction. As you find your way out, simply head back to the N-432 and head back the way you came, taking the right turn towards Illora just before Ventas de Algarra.