Córdoba Province

Córdoba, ancient capital of the fabulous Sultanate of Al-Andaluz, this capital city was once the centre of Arabic Iberia.

It was here, in the vast and magnificent palace of Medina Azahara was buit on the orders of the first Caliph, Abd-al-Rahman III, in the year 936.

To this place came emissaries from all over the civilized world to pay homage to one of the most powerful rulers of his time.

Córdoba is filled with many vestiges of its ancient past.

From the magnificent mezquita of Córdoba to roman villas located in the tiny villages of Fuentes Alamo close to Puente Genil and Almedinilla; this latter in the east of the province.

Córdoba's attraction is not only in the historic value that it preserves but also in the huge range of geographic variety that it offers. Couple this with an extensive touristic grid of first rate rural and country hoels and this province takes on an aspect as being open to be explored.

The route of the Caliphate can be followed to take in such villages as Luque and Alcaudete, place that preserve the transition between Islam and Christianity with a clarity seldom seen anywhere else.

More information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Córdoba,_Spain

Routes and Places worth a Visit

The Mezquita of Córdoba is, without doubt, one of the wonders of the ancient world. After the conquest of Iberia it was converted into a Cathedral and much was added to it but it retains the ancient magnificence that was imparted by the Arabs: columns that are made with many types of stone, and extensive orange tree patio that is irrigated by an ingenious system of water

The Route of the Caliphate of Córdoba is the route that joins Córdoba with Granada and is a road that takes in some of the most ancient towns that formed part of a communications chain that supplied the heart of Arabic Al-Andalus. Towns such as Lorca, Aguilar de la Frontera, Lecena, Alcaudete and Castillo de Locubín all provide glimpses of a distant past that has formed the character of modern Spain.

Medina Azahar . Left as a ruin to the vagaries of chance, this ancient city of the caliphates has been extensively excavated in recent years and offers an opportunity to see Córboba as it was during the apex of Arabic culture in Spain.

Important Fiestas

Córdoba Capital. 15th to 29th February is the carnival. 5th to the 18th May is the festival of the flowers a riot of colour when everyone is invited into residents houses to see the flower arrangements and taste the first of the snails that abound at this time.

Baena, 11th 12th July, Verbena in honour of the Virgin of Carmen,

Cabra, 4 – 8th September, Fiesta in honour Maria Santisima de la Sierra. This is known as a fiesta of National Touristic Interest.