Cordoba. just a little, not much.

The city of Cordoba stands on the banks of the Guadalquivir River in Andalusia. Until it was conquered by a bunch of Visigoths who later succumbed to the islamic invaders, Cordoba became one of their foremost cities.

By the 10th Century it had grown to become the second largest city in Europe and was a leading centre for education and learning.

Following the 13th century Christian conquest the muslims were banished and Cordoba became part of the Crown of Castile

So it was we visited the city and got a great views of the imposing Great Mosque of Córdoba, renowned to be one of the finest islamic structures worldwide.

In the forefront and the way we entered the city, the Roman bridge of Córdoba, named so due to the first bridge here being built by, yup you got it the Romans.

Great Mosque of Córdoba
AKA
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption

The construction of the Great Mosque began in 785 CE and was completed just two years later, not as we see above of course, as many further expansions took place, both whilst under islamic rule and later under the catholic church .

The imposing bell tower for instance, constructed in the 16th Century encasing the earlier islamic minaret.

You can climb to the top of the 175 ft high bell tower. I didn't bother as the queues to even get tickets seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. Life is to short. The numbers are restricted to around 20 persons every half hour, and it closes from 1.30pm to 4pm for the Spanish lunch hour...Siesta time.

In 1236 when Córdoba was captured by the christian forces of Castile during the Reconquista, where the european christians battled against the forces of islam.

The mosque was converted to a cathedral initially undergoing only minor modifications

It was fascinating to see the difference between the simple yet majestic detailed architecture of the islamic mosque.

In the 16th century remodelling took place with a new Renaissance cathedral nave and transept constructed in the centre of the building.

Then compare it with the garish overstated adornments of the catholic cathedral

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

Do as I say not as I do, the hypocrisy of religion

Don't ask me I didn't make the rules

OOOF! who doesn't admire a massive organ..hmm?

The choir stalls were crafted from 1748 to 1757 mainly out of mahogany: how many sweaty choirboy hands have gripped those armrests

The Calleja de las Flores a popular tourist streets of Córdoba

Floral is a good word

As is colourful

It is just a narrow cobblestone alley, surprisingly and pleasingly quiet, bereft of fucking instachatagrammers

Cordoba, or Qurtuba as it is known in the muslim world is still a centre for study in Southern Spain.

Córdoba has the hottest summer temperatures in Spain and Europe, with average high temperatures around 99°F in the months of July and August

Fruit slathered in toffee. Yummy