Cordoba - Part - A

Monday 7 November

It was another very enjoyable coach ride through the Andulsain countryside, leaving Granada at 10.30 am for the 2 hour journey to Cordoba. Temperature 8C, but the crisp, clear blue skies made the vast acres of olive groves look their best.

New plantings.

Many wouldn't, but I loved that our coach was slowed down by 3 farmers, and their tractors, on their way to a new grove. [the country girl in me]

On arrival at the Cordoba bus station, we quickly found a taxi to take us to our hotel in the old City, opposite one of the walls of the Mesquita, or Great Mosque of Cordoba. To the locals, it is the Mezquita-Catedral. It is one of the oldest structures still standing from the time of the Moslem rule in Andalusia.

One of the many narrow, cobbled streets our taxi driver had to negotiate to get us to our hotel beside the walls of the Mesquita.

The Hotel Eurostar Conquistador was a fantastic find by Frank, position, decor and comfort.

We found Cordoba much smaller than Granada, with far fewer tourists. Our first afternoon was spent just wandering. Every corner brought a new surprise. Networks of cobbled alleyways connected to squares and white washed courtyards, city walls, gardens, citrus lined streets, statues and the list goes on.
This is a selection of photos from our wanderings.

Puerta del Puente - Gate of the Bridge. Started in 1571 but after 5 years never really completed. Work on it as recently as 2005.

Roman Bridge of Cordoba - 1st century - across the Guadalquivir River.  [only pedestrian since 2005.]

A waterwheel that once fed an aqueduct to the Mosque area.

 Towers and wall of the Fortress of the Catholic Monarchs.

Yet another delightful street to wander down.

Archway entrance back into the old city.

We lost count of the narrow alleys like this, that we walked through.

Yet another inviting dining area.

The photo wasn't taken for the items on sale, but the view through to an inner courtyard . This was a recurring design and I wanted to investigate everyone.

Note the vine or plant growing on such a small rooftop.

So many different views of the imposing Mosque Cathedral Bell Tower.

Later in the afternoon we wandered back down to the Guadalquivir River.
Here is one of several water driven flour mills we spotted on islands in the river.

Torre de la Calahorra - 12th-C defensive tower.

Looking back across the river to the Mosque Cathedral.

We discovered lovely parkland and walkways on the opposite side of the river to the old town.

Another bridge took us back across the river to the eastern side of the old town, where we found new areas to explore.

Roman columns.

We happened upon Plaza de las Tenillas, where the Christmas market was open, even though it was only the 7 November. 

Plaza de las Tendillas

Its Nativity Scene was incredibly detailed and beautiful.

Returning to our hotel after 6, I delighted in the soft lighting of the Mesquita walls, the clear blue sky and a poorly snapped, but beautiful half moon.

In fact, with the Mesquita walls towering over us as we entered our hotel, I needed to pinch myself that it was actually all real. It had been an amazing afternoon and I was excited for what our tour of the Alcazar Fortress of the Christian Monarchs and the Mosque- Catedral would bring on the morrow.

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