3 good times in Cordova

Cordova

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The Mixing of Cultures

Visiting Cordova
Visiting Cordova

Land of history and romance, Cordova is out of my usual ways across Spain. But the challenge of visiting its famous mosque made me go plan an express visit. And I’ve been back more times.

The mosque

Cordova
Visiting Cordova – Mosque

Christians in Moorish Temple

Cordova
Visiting Cordova – Mirab
Cordova
Visiting Cordova – Altar

I admire all the examples where one religion accepted something from its forerunner, showing a cultural respect uncommon in past days. We have it in Portugal (for instance in Mértola), but in small scale. With Saint Sophie, in Istanbul, this cathedral is one of the most famous in the world, with the curiosity of their evolution occurring in opposite ways. And with advantage for the Spanish.

In Saint Sophia the Christian symbols were covered for centuries, while in Cordoba the Mihrab still stands in its opulence.

Address: Calle Cardenal Herrero, ​

Roman bridge

Cordova
3 good times in Cordova 34

Linking the tower of Calahorra to the historic city, across the Puerta del Puente, this bridge with almost 2000 years still works, as the easiest way across the Guadalquivir in central Cordoba. Halfway there’s a statue from the 16th century.

Looking at the pictures we may imagine the differences that 30 years may introduce…

Puente
Puente

​Guadalquibir

Cordova

The Guadalquivir, more than a river, is a reference in Spanish culture, history and poetry. Its peaceful passage by the historical Cordoba, reminds the Moorish times, well preserved in most artifacts used to retain or extract the water. To understand all my feelings you need to:

1 – Learn Portuguese or Spanish

2 – Find a record of João Villaret

3 – Listen to him asking:

“…Antonio Torres Heredia.
Camborio de dura crin,
moreno de verde luna,
voz de clavel varonil:
¿Quién te ha quitado la vida cerca del Guadalquivir? …”

From “La muerte de Antonito el Camborio”, by Federico Garcia Lorca.

(IF you did it… good! You may keep on listening to the magic Villaret. If you didn’t, at least, try to read Lorca… in any language!)

Puerta del Puente

Cordova

Alcazar

Cordova

Malmuerta

Cordova

Faroles

Cordova

Realejo

Cordova

San Andrés

Cordova

Roman temple

Cordova

Tendillas square

Cordova

Merced

Cordova

Plaza Colon

Cordova

Calahorra tower

Cordova

San Pedro

Cordova

Viana palace

Cordova

Viana palace – “páteos”

Cordova

Children garden

Cordova

Cruze Conde

Cordova

Juderia

Cordova

Nora Albolafia

Cordova

Plaza Potro

Cordova

Plaza La Corredera

Cordova

Ayuntamiento

Cordova

San Rafael

Cordova

San Miguel

Cordova

Santa Marina

Cordova

Typical “páteos”

Cordova
Cordova

San Lorenzo

Cordova

La Portuguesa

Cordova

Victoria market

Cordova

San Pablo

Cordova

Capuchinos

Cordova

I recommend LlaoLlao

How nice!

Cordova
Cordova

I didn’t eat ice cream, but the pleasure of my wife and grandson say everything. I was astonished by the huge cup served to the child (after dining well), but great part of it was fruit. And they ate everything, with the gentleness of a balloon that made company to the child until leaving the city, in the next day, but not without repeating the visit.

Address: Calle Góngora, 7

Phone: +34 902 43 40 00

Website: Llao Llao

Doubtful impression Lambik

Cordova
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​Not for me

The look from outside was inviting, but we had problems: The only table that we found was high, with high seats (no back), which means that I passed the whole dinner with my left hand holding my three years old grandson.

As the food took an eternity to come, you may have an idea of my disposition to appreciate it.

​I ordered three tapas, and the service was so confuse, the time between the second and third one more than 30 minutes, and 80% of the dish was… bread.

Considering that they had no wine ( and I agree with that funny phrase that says that “A meal without wine is called breakfast”) you may guess the relief when I finally could descend the child from the bench and live.

​However, the restaurant was always full with young people, so, the problem could be my age (and my grandson’s), as the look of the waiter (piercings in the nose and around it, tattoos, crazy haircut) testified.

Address: Calle Victoriano Rivera

Top restaurant Rincon Chico Medina

Cordova

Best meal in Cordoba

Good food, nice price, gentle service. Do I need to say more?

​It was our first restaurant in Cordoba, and the best meal outside the hotel

Address: C/ HISTORIADOR DÍAZ DEL MORAL, 5

Website: Chico Medina

I recommend La Posada del Caballo Andaluz

Cordova

In a very beautiful quarter, by the Alcazaba of the Christian kings, this restaurant serves traditional food at a good price.

A very well conceived room, giving the idea of a traditional Andalusian yard, but with the comfort of the air conditioned.

The service is kind and friendly, and the food well presented, though in small quantities.

​Very good list of deserts.

​Calle D San Basilio, 16, phone +34 957 29 03 74

Website Caballo Andaluz

I recommend Macia Alfaros Hotel – Good hotel

Macia Alfaros Hotel
Macia Alfaros Hotel

Good hotel, centrally located, at a very reasonable price. It was a nightmare to get there, with the GPS confused in the narrow streets of the old town, and the constraints of traffic.

Upon arrival, and after a few maneuvers to access the subterranean park, surprisingly big, I forgot the car until leaving.

The hotel has a strange architecture, showing that is spreads along several buildings, preserving the external image of a few small buildings side by side instead of the big one that it really is inside.

Eat and sleep in Cordova - Alfaros
Alfaros

The room was comfortable and clean, and breakfast was good, though a little pricey (as the park).

The pool is small, nicely decorated, and, with a temperature of 46º outside, we had to share it with almost 20 other customers, in the first day.

Address: Calle Alfaros 18, Cordoba, Andalusia, 14001, Spain

Phone: +34 958 285 806

Website: Alfaros

​Horse carriages

Cordova
Cordova

Entering by car and parking in old Cordoba is almost impossible. Walking is easy, but under the severe heat very uncomfortable (and dangerous) so, the popular horse-drawn carriages may become very useful here.

Hop on Hop off

Cordova
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Shopping El Corte Ingles

Cordova
Cordova

Naturally Cordova has an “El Corte Inglés”, naturally I had to be taken there, but this time I tried to take an ally. The problem is that the ally quickly changed teams…