Cordoba

1
Cordoba

• Located in Andalusia, Cordoba is the capital of
  the southern province of Cordoba.
• Cordoba was founded by the Romans and gained in
  power because it controlled the Guadalquivir
  River, along with most of the regions trade.
• From about 929 to 1030, Cordoba was the capital
  of the Caliphate of Cordoba, controlling almost
  all of what is now Spain.

2
Moorish Heritage

• The Cordoban Moors constructed more than 1000
  mosques during their rule.
• By far the greatest mosque is called the
  Mezquita.
• Originally constructed from 784 to 987, the
  building is notable for its myriad columns of
  precious stones like jasper, marble, and onyx.
• The Mezquita received a significant alteration
  when the Christians conquered the city, a
  cathedral nave right in the middle of the
  building. Protested by the Muslims, the cathedral
  may have preserved the Mezquita from the
  Inquisition.

3
Modern Cordoba

• Cordoba is the only provincial capital in Spain
  controlled by a leftist coalition.
• Skilled floral arrangements play a role in social
  life, and many Cordobans hold contests to see who
  has the most beautiful patio.
• Flamenco dancing remains a strong presence in
  Cordoba, and they declared 2006 to be the Year of
  Flamenco.

4
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

• The Alcazar is another historic Muslim monument.
  located near the Mezquita.
• The Alcazar housed the largest library in the
  Western world, and flourished as a political and
  cultural center even during the Dark Ages.
• This fortress served as the home of Isabella of
  Castille and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the
  financial backers of Columbus.
• Later, the fort served as one of the
  Inquisitions headquarters, converting much of it
  into torture chambers.
• In 1810, the Alcazar played host to Napoleons
  troops.

5
Medina Azahara

• The Medina, located about 5 miles from Cordoba,
  flourished for about 80 years before being sacked
  and burnt to the ground by Islamic purists.
• The Medina was once the capital of al-Andalus.
• Before its destruction, the Medina was the
  largest city built from the ground up by one
  ruler in Western Europe.
• The city covered 112 hectares, and was the
  Versailles of the middle ages.
• Today, only 10 of the city is visible or
  restored.

6
Strange Cordoba Fact

• There are more than one thousand cities called
  'Córdoba' in the Americas. In 1991, a documentary
  team traveled all over the continent, from Alaska
  to Tierra del Fuego, visiting many of them. The
  resulting TV series, "La ruta de las Córdobas",
  was broadcast on Spanish national television and
  bought by more than 20 countries.

7
Research sites

• Wikipedia.org
• http//two-wugs.net/pix/anda/f/mezquita.jpg
• www.segoviamint.org
• www.virtourist.com
• http//content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-comm
  ons/thumb/a/a6/300px-Mezquita_de_Medina_Azahara.jp
  g
• http//www.grid.unep.ch/product/publication/freshw
  ater_europe/images/map14.jpg