Cordoba

Cordoba is a fairly big city in Andalucía (more or less 330 000 inhabitants), and is the capital of the province of Cordoba. 

Spain and Spanish cities are generally harboring a lot of history and Cordoba is no exception. In ancient times it was a Roman and Iberian city, before becoming the capital of the Islamic Caliphate of Córdoba, who ruled Al-Andalus (Moorish Iberia, as mentioned here) in the middle ages, from 929-1031.

It is said that in the 10^th and 11^th century, Cordoba was the most populous city in the world! And was considered in this period to be the intellectual centre of Europe, a great cultural, political, financial and economic centre. 

Cordoba was known for tolerance and respect, with Jews, Christians and Muslims living side by side. The city is full of monuments and architectural gems telling the long history of the city, la Mezquita-Catedral being the number one attraction. Originally an enormous mosque (third biggest in the world), before- in 1236 when the mosque was turned back into a Christian church at the reconquista, a beautiful cathedral was built in the middle of the mosque instead of tearing it down. Yes, you read correctly, the Cathedral of Cordoba is located inside a huge mosque! 

Apart from the Mezquita, there are lots to see in Cordoba. The Jewish area (Judería) is a beautiful part of town with narrow cobbled streets running around whitewashed houses with flowerpots hanging on the walls.

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There is an alcazar (fort/castle). A bull ring, and a Museo Taurino. A roman bridge with views to the Mezquita:

...and a lot more... A beautiful city!

More about the Mezquita-Catedral soon!