Perhaps more than any other province of Spain, Córdoba reflects the long, rich and sometime turbulent history that has gone before. Located on the Guadalquivir river which, during the times of the roman empire over 2,000 years ago, was navigable until the city, Córdoba began its glorious reign as one of the most desired and coveted jewels in the crowns of many different civilizations.
From the southern plains that undulate gently allowing extensive agricultural development to the proud mountains of the Sierra Morena, Córdoba is filled with many different environments that allow for many different experiences.
 History is almost palpable in this province. The city of Córdoba itself is home to the unrivalled Mezquita, a product of several generations of construction by Sultans attempting to outdo the splendour of their homeland. Here too is an impressive archaeological museum filled with many irreplaceable items and artefacts that illuminate our social development.
Also in Córdoba you can find the beautiful calle de los flores, one of the streets that it’s a pleasure to walk down on a summer night – the small square is filled with fruiting trees, flowerpots overflowing with light and creeping plants that literally drip in a cascade of colour from balconies that crowd overhead and the fragrance of jasmine is almost too overpowering. It’s almost enough to run screaming to the nearest restaurant in a haze of romantic passion and propose to the nearest waiter.
The countryside around Córdoba capital city is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of Spain. Here there are so many white washed villages that cling to depressions and hillsides that it’s worth a month of anyone’s time just to get to know them.
Priego de Córdoba in the south east of the province is one of the prime examples of use of topography not only for a defensive point of view but also from an aesthetic one. Houses are precariously perched on the edge of a precipitous cliff that falls sharply below to green slopes below. Not one for those who suffer from vertigo but a great view across the surrounding countryside.
But in the view of this writer at least, it’s the history that takes the biscuit. There is no greater indication of this than the great city of Medina Azahara. No city that was built in the 10th century could eclipse this city in splendour and its discovery and continued excavation continually result in new wonders being unearthed.
 For many centuries, Medina Azahar was the most powerful city of Muslim Spain. Commenced by the Córdobese caliph, Abd al-Rahman III, with a backdrop of the spectacular mountains of the Sierra Morena, its name means ‘brilliant city’. Records claim that there were more than 15,000 doors, 4,313 columns and a huge statue of a woman that dominated the entrance to the citadel. The ruins that are all that remain are the result of many waves of looting a pillaging and it wasn’t until the 19th century that the city attracted the attention of archaeologists who dedicatedly dug, revealed and restored many of the city’s marvels.
Córdoba is an adventure, a whole world all by itself. The traveller will find many places to visit, things to see and wonderful hotels in which to stay. There are many beautifully restored rural cottages that allow you to take advantage of the tranquillity of the countryside or, if it’s nightlife you’re after, Córdoba capital provides for many tastes.
More information: http://www.turiscordoba.es/
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