Low cost Cordoba is possible, here are the tips to see the best of the city of Spain without spending a fortune, read the post.
Cordova it is a city that has particularly entered my heart, because it is a joyful, happy, colorful city, a melody for the eyes and ears. Cordoba was born as a Roman city on the banks of the river Guadalquivir, to then become the great capital of the Arab caliphate, which made it its jewel and its pride, up to the Christian Reconquista which took place in 1236: for this reason, the city immediately took shape thanks to the cultural influences of the various rulers, whose signs they are still visible and tangible today.
Not only that, since Cordoba was also the homeland of for centuries different ethnicities e different religions, which here could coexist in harmony: Muslims, Christians and Jews made this Andalusian city their home, clearly spreading the vestiges of their cultural component. And this is precisely the reason why walking around Cordoba is equivalent to taking a leap into the past, through time and the cultures that populated it.
Not only magnificent corners in the Jewish quarter, not intertwined streets and breathtaking views of the river, but also a rich city to visit all low cost. Here are my tips for visiting Cordoba at its best.
The Mezquita Catedral and the Alcazar
La Mosque stands in all its magnificence in the middle of the Jewish quarter (la judería), together with its high bell tower that overlooks the city and marks its rhythms. Ancient mosque during the Omeya Caliphate, it was transformed into a Christian cathedral after the Reconquista, keeping the original structure. Inside, in fact, it is possible to see the signs of both cultures merging together: the central part consists of a typically Baroque construction with Christian iconography, while all around you can admire the arches of the ancient mosque, red and white, together with the original chapels where the Koran was kept.
The admission price are 8 €, with some offers for the youngest, but it is also possible to visit the monument for free, from 8.30 to 9.30 in the morning. Together with the Mezquita, the other great monument is the ancient palace of the Christian kings, or Alcázar: if the castle, however, is not in the least comparable to that of Seville, the gardens are well-kept and always in bloom, full of fountains and games of 'water.
The Capilla de San Bartolomè, El zoco artesanal, the Synagogue
Three little gems of the city are these; on the one hand the Capilla de San Bartolomé, together with the Mezquita, the representative monument of the Mudejar or Jewish-Christian style, with its colorful ceramics and the gigantic palm tree in the patio in front (which can be visited for only 1,50 euros, complete with a free guided tour offered by the trainees of the adjacent Faculty of Philology); immediately after the ancient artisan market, with the various shops and workshops for silver processing; to finally arrive at Synagogue, the only one in Spain after that of Toledo, completely free.
All immersed in the narrow streets of the historic district, where you can walk and get lost always accompanied by the music of an Andalusian and flamenco guitar. A particularly characteristic street is the Calleja de las Flores, from which you can glimpse the bell tower of the Mezquita and which in spring is filled with pots of flowering geraniums.
The Roman puente and the ribera
Another must along with the Mezquita is the Roman bridge, to cross if you want to enjoy a spectacular view of the city and at the end of which you can visit a small museum, set up inside the Calahorra tower: a museum not too exceptional, but which gives the possibility to climb to the top of the tower for a beautiful view. Walking along the Ribera del Fiume, you also reach the Plaza del Potro, where you can have an aperitif in the various cafes that arise here: all always at very limited prices, considering that we are in the south of Spain.
Where to eat, Plaza de la Corredera
To be able to eat well and spend very little, it is an exceptional place Plaza de la Corredera: similar to that of the Vosges in Paris, it is a square completely surrounded by arcades and red buildings, whose windows overlook the tables and the expanses of bars and restaurants: here, it is possible to taste the typical dishes of the area, from classic salmorejo, tortilla, fried squid, pinchitos, chicken skewers flavored with spices and the inevitable jamón.
All a very modest prices, if you think that usually the price per person never exceeds 10 euros. However, I would recommend avoiding this area at night, perhaps a little isolated and dark: in the evening, the various clubs of Plaza de las Tendillas, much more popular, are more suitable!
Los Patios
If you happen to Cordoba in May, not to be missed is the festival of the patios, ie i private gardens of the houses of the historic center, which for this occasion open their doors to show themselves in all their beauty: gardens so fragrant, so well cared for and decorated, that they become part of the Unesco Heritage. We go like this, knocking from door to door, chatting with the owners of the house who are always available to tell the story of their home and their flowered corner. Some of these are free, others can be admired with a 5 euro ticket, intended for various families as an aid for the maintenance of these precious natural jewels.
