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Cordoba - Culture |
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When the Moors conquered Spain in 711, they made Cordoba
their capital. In 929 did Andalucia declare its independence from the
caliphate of Baghdad. From this time on, Cordoba grew into becoming the
largest and most cultural city of Europe. Centre of Cordoba was the jaami`u l-a`aZim, Great Mosque, which took up Roman architectural
traditions, made use of columns from older buildings around, and added the
Muslim sentiment of the abstract and the limitless room. The double arches
are very representative for the architecture dominating all over North
Africa. The change between dark and light large squares, adds an
simplicity contrasted by details in the roof, where arabesques are mixed
with Arabic writings. Sadly enough, this masterpiece of Western Muslim
architecture is spoilt by a Christian cathedral cutting itself right into
it. Even if this is a nice building, too, its a chock to the total
construction, that has horrified even medieval Christians Another splendid example of the Muslim inheritance in Spain
is the old Ummawiyy castle, Alcar. This served as the headquarters of the
catholic kings during the Reconquesta.
The main attraction here are the gardens, lavish, extensive, and with
water in a central role. Its winding and narrow streets lead us to
discover the marvellous monuments that the different cultures, as a
perfect symbiosis, have enriched the city. Within its streets, we shall
roam and find ourselves renewed in its varied and numerous silent, and
some hidden, Cordobesian plazas. Little by little we shall find with still
remaining inns from centuries ago that will tempt us to stop and taste the
great wines of the land, accompanied by a wide variety of tapas, some
unique to each. These streets will not stop amazing us as we seep through
the soul of the traditional Cordoba: Its patios. Principal part of each
home, the daily life of the neighbours turns around it, making the
"patio" as one of the most valued treasures with its care and
decorations. The game of lights and shadows is unique, the permanent
bubbling of the water from its multiple fountains, the symphonies of
smells and colours of the vegetation with which the city is filled will
siege your senses and require your surrender, making Cordoba an unequalled
visitation. |
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