The Very Best of Cordoba
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Port
Malaga, Spain
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$200
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 8½ hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Historic Centre of Cordoba
Cordoba's period of greatest glory began in the 8th century after the Moorish conquest, when some 300 mosques and innumerable palaces and public buildings were built to rival the splendours of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. In the 13th century, under Ferdinand III, the Saint, Cordoba's Great Mosque was turned into a cathedral and new defensive structures, particularly the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Torre Fortaleza de la Calahorra, were erected.
The mighty Roman Empire established Cordoba around the time that it became clear that inland Andalusia could be reached by way of the navigable Guadalquivir River. Today, only three of the thirteen gates of the original ancient Roman walls are still standing. Despite its auspicious start, Cordoba didn't reach its prime until the 10th century AD, during the time of Muslim domination in Iberia. And what a heyday it was! Draped in splendor, Cordoba became one of the political, cultural and economic leaders of the world.Due to its strategic importance, Cordoba seemed the logical place to build a very large mosque -- a primer for those who intended to make the haj to Mecca. Astonishingly, when Catholicism rose to overthrow the power of Islam, rather than destroying the mosque, the Catholic Church simply built a cathedral inside it. So, today, you will enter a forest of columns that belong to the mosque and discover, in their midst, a Catholic cathedral -- this is a stunning and bizarre piece of art and architecture and its impact is not to be missed.
Complete your time in Cordoba with a walking tour through the Jewish Quarter, where the narrow and winding streets hide many important and traditional buildings. Your guide will point out the Mudejar Synagogue and the quarter's many references to water -- Arabian engineering was crucial for the development of the area's supply.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you return to Málaga.
Please note: Tour does not operate on Sundays or Mondays. Use of an audio headset (included) will enhance your tour experience.