What monuments to see in Córdoba?

Cordoba is big, spectacular, historical and has beauty in every corner. Its courtyards, its aromas, its art in every corner, its streets, its cobblestones. Everything in Cordoba will seem unique. From the Jewish quarter to the living jewels that have stood the test of time, such as the Mosque, the Alcazar, the Synagogue or the Calahorra Tower. At sunset, its patios, its terraces, its viewpoints and its neighborhoods. At nightfall, its light and color shows in different historical enclaves and its magical spectacles. But Córdoba, above all, is a monument. It is stone, it is a remnant of the most glorious Arab history. It is culture, it is the scent of great deeds. Everything has been carefully preserved and that is why many of its monuments have been declared a World Heritage Site.

Mosque-Cathedral, splendor of the past and majesty of the present

The first thing that happens is planning a visit to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba complex, a precise visit. Discover one of the most beautiful, iconic and unique buildings in the world. Declaration of World Heritage by UNESCO in 1984 (even before in the city itself), your visit has an exceptional journey through the History of Art and Architecture. It is an authentic temple. It is undoubtely the soul of Córdoba.

Medina Azahara: the ruins take on another meaning in Córdoba

Like the Mosque-Cathedral, the mysterious ruined city of Medina Azahara was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO recently in 2018. Caliph Abd-al Rahman III ordered it to be built in the foothills of the Sierra Morena. The legend says that he asked to build it in tribute to his favorite woman of the Caliphate: Azahara, hence his name. However, the thesis that they wanted a symbol, a renewed and powerful image, of the newly created Independent Caliphate of the West also gained strength. Three terraces surrounded by a wall, beautiful portals that welcome, beautiful arches and imposing stone exteriors go hand in hand in one of the most famous ruins of the peninsula.

Synagogue, an exquisite preservation

Probably, the monument that has been best preserved. It is the only one that has been preserved until today in Andalusia. A historical monument that has gone through different times and uses throughout history: from hospital to hermitage, passing through school. It is located within the neighborhood of the Jewish Quarter and is the proof of the cultural diversity of the city and the shelter of different civilizations.

Alcazar de los Reyes, a historic fortress

Another of the corners that you have to visit yes or yes is the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fortress of Roman and Visigoth remains that coexists with those of Arab origin in a majestic palace that imposes only seeing it from afar. An almost rectangular construction with solid walls, imposing groves and a beauty without paragon. You will not get tired of seeing historical walls, we can assure you. Gothic domes, four towers, pagan sarcophagi, Arab-inspired baths, courtyards that appear as oases and extensive gardens that give splendor to the Alcázar Cordobés.

Patios de Córdoba, a festival of color and good taste

In May the festival of the courtyards of Córdoba is celebrated, a contest that has been held since 1921 to the present. There are many but each one presents a singular architecture. Of course, with a common denominator: they all are beautiful, with their flowers, their ornaments and their color. We can separate them between monumental and stately courtyards, those of ecclesiastical or aristocratic air, and the courtyards of competition, with variations of ancient or modern architecture. The problem will be how to manage the space of your memory in the mobile with so many photos that you will want to take out.

Palace of Viana, exterior and interior beauty

You have to imagine an incredibly beautiful, sophisticated space, surrounded by green and with an inner courtyard of monasterial air. It is a house inhabited until the end of the 20th century by noble families but still has an aroma of a popular place. It has 12 courtyards plus a garden that is a real wonder. But there is not only beauty in its outermost and outdoor face, the Palacio de Viana also stands out internally for its collections of paintings, tapestries and leather.

Royal stables, equestrian nurseries

Equestrian shows such as Passion and Duende are only possible for buildings of reference such as this one, that of the Royal Stables, where an arduous and famous task is made: to create the race of the Andalusian horse, the pure Spanish race. It knows in depth its dependencies and how the process of upbringing and training is carried out.

Museum of Julio Romero, artist of idealism

Created in 1931 a year after the death of the painter, Julio Romero is one of the contemporary artists who have most impacted the Spanish art scene of the twentieth century within the current of idealism. This gallery also shares a building with the Museum of Fine Arts. In the museum, we will be able to appreciate some of his creations better known as Oranges and Lemons, Cante Hondo or Poem to Córdoba.

Calahorra Tower

A fortress of purely defensive function in the past that makes up today, next to the Bridge Door and the Roman Bridge, the so-called monumental environment of the Guadalquivir River. It is not one of the most famous monuments but it is certainly impressive, imposing and of great beauty. In the interior, there are fourteen rooms housed in three heights, to which the terrace must be joined. Currently, it houses a permanent exhibition dedicated to the three cultures that inhabited the city.

The Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art in Cordoba

The Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art, also known as C3A, is a place that dedicates its main activity to producing and creating contemporary art. For this reason, many artists are able to achieve their work goals in this space, researching, producing their works and exhibiting them to the public. In this centre you can enjoy culture while at the same time contemplating the encounter between various disciplines. One of the main objectives of this space is for the public to learn more about contemporary artistic languages, being able to appreciate both the finished work and the process that has been followed to reach it. Everything the Andalusian Centre for Contemporary Art in Córdoba has to offer is aimed at all audiences. So there is no excuse not to visit this place, go ahead and come and see how wonderful the world of visual arts can be!

El Patio de los Naranjos

Located in the heart of the Historic Center, we find this beautiful open space that complements the most famous building of Cordoba, the Mosque-Cathedral. It is presented as the main and only courtyard of the monument, being the first element that you find as soon as you access the end of the Mosque. It has dimensions of 130 meters long and 50 meters wide, its name being the almost 100 orange trees planted in it at the end of the seventeenth century. Beautiful and ancient fountains, along with ancient trees and a historic cobbled floor, make up this splendid courtyard surrounded by galleries and porches, which is considered one of the most pleasant places to hang out in the city. Want to know more about him? Well, here’s all the information.

The Jewish Quarter of Cordoba

Cordoba is full of monuments and places to see and things to do. You can enjoy unique monuments, squares, narrow streets, Roman remains, festivals and an exquisite cuisine and good atmosphere. Cordoba is one of the 15 cities declared a World Heritage Site and is formed by its great attraction which is the Mosque-Cathedral and one of its most famous old neighborhoods, the Jewish Quarter.

Bathrooms of old Alcazar

It is a complex of stays in which to visit what the caliph baths of the primitive Alcázar were like. It is a set of Arab baths that exude history and uniqueness. Long rooms with arches and vaults, of dark tones, in which the caliphs relaxed.

More things to do in Córdoba