Córdoba and La Mezquita

The last city Ab and I toured in the south of Spain during our Easter vacation trip was Cordoba. We got hooked up with an amazing hostel, so I have to give it its props online. Hostel Alcazar... a family operation run by a guy named Fernando. We ordered a double room with a shared bathroom, and he let us have an attic room complete with its own outdoor balcony and also a private bathroom! The balcony was so cozy, and the weather was so hot that every night we were there we enjoyed some time outside, having a glass of wine, eating a few snacks, listening to the quiet of the ancient old neighborhood, and smelling the sweet fragrances of the orange trees and flowers that are in no short supply in the Andalusian city. It was really lovely.

While we were there, Ab and I met a Belgian couple who roomed across the balcony from us. We had a nice time sharing with them the wonderful weather out on our terrace, some great German beer and cheap Spanish wine, and some illuminating conversation. I wish both Theo and Marlen well, and I hope you have a great crop this year with your fruit farm!

Cordoba is famous for its cathedral, La Mezquita, and its mix of Christian and Muslim architecture. It was originally a mosque built by the Muslims when they ruled Spain long ago, and when the Christian kings took over Spain in the 15th century they turned La Mezquita into a Christian church. Because the pillars inside La Mezquita are so marvelous, they left them intact and added their own Christian decorations and construction alongside these pillars and arches, and then they built a tower and castle walls around the giant cathedral. Walking through the series of arches was honestly awe inspiring. Pictures were a little tough, as they are in most cathedrals, because of the lack of good lighting. We made due however, and we even managed to get free entry to the place because it was a Saturday. We're such savvy tourists! Ha.

Besides La Mezquita, we also visited a castle/palace complex very near our hostel called the Alcazar. The gardens there were quite lovely, and the flowers in the south of Spain are plentiful and vibrant (even though we arrived a little early in spring). One of Cordoba's coolest cultural celebrations is its yearly 'patio decoration contest'. There are many many open air patios inside the ancient buildings and houses of the city. There is amazing sun there in the south of Spain, and so it's perfect conditions for all the fruit, olives, and flowers they have there. Cordobans love to decorate their nice white walled patios with potted flowers of all kinds, trees, shrubs, fountains, and many other things. The Islamic, as well as Jewish, influence on the culture, art, and architecture make for some unique and truly beautiful designs. The 80 plus degree weather in March didn't hurt either.

Probably Abby and my favorite city in the south. Worth any kind of visit at any time.