Cordoba Located in Andalusia, Cordoba is the capital of the southern province of Cordoba. Cordoba was founded by the Romans and gained in power because it controlled the Guadalquivir River, along with most of the region’s trade. From about 929 to 1030, Cordoba was the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba, controlling almost all of what is now Spain.

Moorish Heritage The Cordoban Moors constructed more than 1000 mosques during their rule. By far the greatest mosque is called the Mezquita. Originally constructed from 784 to 987, the building is notable for its myriad columns of precious stones like jasper, marble, and onyx. The Mezquita received a significant alteration when the Christians conquered the city, a cathedral nave right in the middle of the building. Protested by the Muslims, the cathedral may have preserved the Mezquita from the Inquisition.

Modern Cordoba Cordoba is the only provincial capital in Spain controlled by a leftist coalition. Skilled floral arrangements play a role in social life, and many Cordobans hold contests to see who has the most beautiful patio. Flamenco dancing remains a strong presence in Cordoba, and they declared 2006 to be the Year of Flamenco.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos The Alcazar is another historic Muslim monument. located near the Mezquita. The Alcazar housed the largest library in the Western world, and flourished as a political and cultural center even during the Dark Ages. This fortress served as the home of Isabella of Castille and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the financial backers of Columbus. Later, the fort served as one of the Inquisition’s headquarters, converting much of it into torture chambers. In 1810, the Alcazar played host to Napoleon’s troops.

Medina Azahara The Medina, located about 5 miles from Cordoba, flourished for about 80 years before being sacked and burnt to the ground by Islamic purists. The Medina was once the capital of al-Andalus. Before its destruction, the Medina was the largest city built from the ground up by one ruler in Western Europe. The city covered 112 hectares, and was the Versailles of the middle ages. Today, only 10% of the city is visible or restored.

Strange Cordoba Fact There are more than one thousand cities called 'Córdoba' in the Americas. In 1991, a documentary team traveled all over the continent, from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, visiting many of them. The resulting TV series, "La ruta de las Córdobas", was broadcast on Spanish national television and bought by more than 20 countries.

Research sites Wikipedia.org p/en-commons/thumb/a/a6/300px- Mezquita_de_Medina_Azahara.jpg n/freshwater_europe/images/map14.jpg