Córdoba
This week we spent a pleasant and most interesting day in the old city of Córdoba (most cities in Spain are old!).
Jorge and Angélica, our friends, invited us to accompany them.
Córdoba was an important Roman city in the first few centuries after Christ. Some Roman ruins are still being discovered and excavated.
An old Roman bridge newly renovated, originally built in the 1st century AD, crosses the Guadalquivir River, one of the most important rivers in Spain. Over the centuries many battles were fought on this bridge and much blood was shed in defense of the city.
On the far side of the river is the Great Mosque, construction on which began in the 8th century A.D. with add-ons continuing over a 300 yr. period. After the Catholic Kings’ reconquest of Córdoba, a Christian church was built right into the middle of the mosque. We’ll visit that in a moment…
Jorge and Angélica especially wanted to see the patios in Córdoba. Every spring 43 flower-adorned patios are opened for the public to view (for a fee). We saw 5 or 6 of them.
In some of them you can see fancy sink/washing areas,
Wells,
And even old kitchens.
This basket-like thing is an antique clothes dryer. To dry wet clothes, they were draped over the basket which was then hung above a charcoal heater used to heat strategic parts of the house.
Córdoba also had a sizeable Jewish quarter (until the Jews were expelled after the Catholic Reconquest). Here is an old synagogue,
With a cross etched into the décor - after the Jews had left, of course!
Moses Maimonides was a famous Jewish scholar, born in Córdoba in 1135.
Judi thought it might be profitable to be near such greatness, but it took a little doing!
The entrance to the Great Mosque with its bell tower, which was built over a minaret.
Just inside the outer wall is a “patio of oranges.” You don’t see the oranges on the trees because they are not currently in season.
The mosque is massive, originally built over a Visigothic Christian church, which was probably built over a Roman temple. The interior of the mosque is characterized by these pillars and double arches.
The front area of the mosque, left largely untouched.
The modifications made by the Catholic monarchs were in stark contrast to the original style of construction and decor.
The soaring arches of the cathedral. Much of the interior and exterior of the cathedral is undergoing renovation, as seen earlier.
Afterwards we headed for home, stopping on the way for a picnic lunch/supper (lupper?) and later on for café con leche.
