Granada, Spain.(HDR)
Córdoba, on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, now a town of over 300,000, was the capital of Roman Further Spain and the great philosopher Seneca was born here.
Because some of the Roman structures served important utilitarian functions for the consequent civilizations, there are very well preserved Roman walls, gates, towers and a 2,000-year-old, 270-yards-long magnificent bridge.
By design, our hotel is across from one of the most famous sites in Spain – La Mezquita. Today we are visiting this 7th century mosque converted into a church after the Reconquista. Historians tell us that but for this conversion the mosque would not have survived.
An important part of the Spanish mosaic is the medieval Jewish quarter in Córdoba – a beautifully preserved area of the city.
The early 14th century Synagogue, the only one which avoided destruction, is now a museum. It is built in Mudéjar tradition of stucco panels. Mudéjar is a style of medieval Iberian architecture, strongly influenced by Moorish taste and workmanship.
There is also a museum of a typical Jewish house in the quarters – Casa de Sefarad, which contains some items from Sephardic life.
Close by, is the statue honoring the great Córdoba native, 12th century Sephardic philosopher Moses Maimonides, who was also a preeminent astronomer and physician of his time.
