Fri 06.Jul.2012
Cordoba, Spain
I chose Cordoba for my last days in Spain, partly because it is recommended
as an interesting city, and partly because it is well-situated to be a
launch point for the long trip back to France and Germany. A stop for all
of the bullet trains from Sevilla to Madrid and Barcelona.
In Roman times, the Guadalquivir River was navigable clear up to
Cordoba, and the city was a major Roman outpost. Today, the foundations of the
Roman bridge across the river support a (clumsy) restoration of the
bridge itself.
The busses here circulate in a funny pattern; getting from the station
to the neighborhood of my pension is easy enough, though recognizing where
to get off is a challenge on the first time. Fortunately, I recognized the
name on a street sign, and fellow passengers did their best to help.
It was definitely a little family-operated pension; a locked door with
a sign listing ludicrously short office hours, and a phone number to call on your
mobile phone when you arrive. Oops. While I was wondering what to do, another guest
arrived, and used her mobile to call. Everything was fine after that; the
guy came right over and checked us both in. I'm glad I did have a
reservation.
Beside its Roman history, Cordoba was also the capital of one of the
Moorish kingdoms in Al Andalus, and a major Imperial Spanish city
after that.
All of this has left plenty of interesting sights (and sites), all in a
reasonable-sized walking radius. Among the Moorish treasures is the largest
remaining mosque in Spain, which somehow survived Christianization
after the reconquista, though it does share its walled compound with
the city's cathedral. (That is more than Granada's mosque managed; Their
massive, domineering cathedral sits smack dab atop the old mosque's site.)
I mentioned above that the busses run kind of funny in Cordoba. Getting to
my neighborhood from the station was easy enough. Getting back to the station
is something else again. In short, it is better to walk most of the way. I
learned that with a dry run the day before my actual departure.
So, Cordoba provided a few pleasant warm days to remember Spain by. I
certainly intend to return to Andalusia next Spring.
So ends our Spanish flashback.
Next up: Bratislava
Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf