January 23, 2017
48 hours in Cordoba

48 hours in Cordoba

January 23, 2017
patios cordoba spain

As you know I spent a couple of days in Cordoba during the Christmas holidays. I devoted a complete post to its world famous Mosque-Cathedral two weeks ago and today I want to show you around the rest of the city. Another thing this city is famous for is the flowers that's why the best time to visit Cordoba is in Spring, particularly in May when Festival de Los Patios takes place. It's a contest in which people open their courtyards full of colorful flower pots to the public. I don't recommend summer because it's too hot. In winter the weather was amazing but the wide range of colors provided by geraniums are substituted by red poinsettias, the typical Christmas plants.

Wandering around the city you are visiting is something I always recommend but this is particularly important in Cordoba because you'll surely find some gems. Walk around the historic center and Jewish quarter, find Calleja de las Flores from which you can spot the bell tower of the Mosque-Cathedral. This is probably the most photographed spot in Cordoba.

calleja de las flores cordoba spain



barrio judio jewish quarter cordoba spain

Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos should be your next stop. Similar but not as beautiful as Seville's Reales Alcazares it still deserves a visit. The fortress served as one of the primary residences of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon in Medieval times. The gardens are magnificent, you can visit a moorish bathhouse and there are impressive Roman mosaics inside the tower.

alcazar de los reyes cristianos cordoba



alcazar de los reyes cristianos cordoba

alcazar de los reyes cristianos cordoba

alcazar de los reyes cristianos cordoba


alcazar de los reyes cristianos cordoba

alcazar de los reyes cristianos cordoba

We stayed at Eurostars Conquistador which has the perfect location since it's opposite the Mosque-Cathedral. It is beautifully decorated in a Moorish style as you saw in this New Year's post. Mudejar and Andalusian architecture are merged in the charming patio of the hotel.


hotel eurostars conquistador cordoba españa


hotel eurostars conquistador cordoba españa

There are a few museums you can visit in Cordoba too, one of them is the museum of Spanish painter Julio Romero de Torres which is located in the historic building you can see below.

museo romero de torres cordoba

If you are interested in becoming part of Cordoba's nightlife you can hang out with the locals at Sojo Fusion (restaurant) and Sojo Ribiera, a cafe/nightclub with spectacular views of river Guadalquivir and the Roman Bridge.

sojo fusion cordoba

Before heading back to the hotel, take a walk following the river until you get to the Roman Bridge. It's beautifully lit at night. It seems incredible that Roman builders had the means and skills to build such robust constructions that have lasted for centuries. When you reach the bridge you can also see the Puerta del Puente a Rennaissance gate that used to be an entrance to the city. Cross the bridge and you'll find Calahorra tower, from there you can get spectacular views of the Mosque-Cathedral at night.

roman bridge puente romano cordoba spain

puerta del puente cordoba españa

puente romano torre de calahorra cordoba españa

Before leaving Cordoba you have to take a little excursion to the ruins of Medinat Al-Zahra which reminded me of Knossos Palace in Crete, Greece. Medina Azahara is the ruins of a vast, fortified Arab Muslim medieval palace-city built by the Caliph of Córdoba in 929 A.D and located on the western outskirts of Cordoba.

Medina Azahara Cordoba Spain


Medina Azahara Cordoba Spain

Medina Azahara Cordoba Spain

Medina Azahara Cordoba Spain

Medina Azahara Cordoba Spain

I wore my new Abercrombie and Fitch green parka during the trip to Cordoba. I got it 50% off on Black Friday and it's the best purchase I made this season. I had been wanting a parka for a while and I waited until I found the perfect one. Mine is sold out online but you can still find it at A&F stores. Sales are a great time to stock up on winter travel essentials such as parkas so here's a round-up of comfy and warm clothes for winter.

I hope you enjoyed this photo diary. See you next Monday!
xo Cristina

January 9, 2017
Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

January 9, 2017
mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa
Welcome to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, the city's undisputed gem. It is one of the most exceptional monuments in the world, a testimony to the ancient alliance of art and faith. Its islamic architecture comes together with Christian architecture to create one of the most beautiful examples of its kind. Inside we come across impressive works of art which bear witness to the passage of the centuries. It is a sacred place open to the entire world. The space was first a Visigoth Basilica of San Vicente in the 6th century. With the arrival of the Muslims the area was divided and used by both communities. Adb al-Rahman I built the original Mosque in 786, it was enlarged several times under the governments of Adb al-Rahman II, Adb al-Rahman III, Al-Hakam II and finally Almanzor. In 1246, after Cordoba had been won back by the Christian kings, the main altar for a Catholic church was built inside. The works for the Catholic Cathedral continued until the 18th century when the spectacular choir stalls were built. 
mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa
We visited this world heritage landmark on our first day in the city. We stayed at Eurostars Consquistador Hotel which is opposite the Mezquita, an unbeatable location. After going through the door of Saint Catherine we were greeted by Patio de los Naranjos, an orange tree courtyard with views of the bell tower which reminded me of the one we saw in Seville.
mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa
The famous red and white striped arches are the first thing you see inside. Now, I've been to many places and I often feel that's becoming increasingly difficult for something to take my breath away when I travel. However, the Mezquita has managed to do that. The neverending arches and the many treasures this temple houses, the different architectural styles and religions meeting in one place... It's hardly impossible not to get goosebumps when you think about what the place must have looked like at its peak. 
mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa
In the heart of the mosque we found the Renaissance Cathedral. The choir stalls and the ceilings are awe-inspiring.
mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

mosque cathedral mezquita catedral cordoba spain españa

Have you ever been to Spain? What is your favorite city?
xo Cristina