Inside the City of Córdoba
Córdoba is a city in southern Spain and is one of Spain's most famous cities. It is located on the Guadalquivir River.
In 711, Tariq ibn-Zayid led the Muslim armies across the Mediterranean Sea to Spain and then Spain came under Muslim rule. This region came known as Al-Andalus. In 756, Abder-Rahman I made Córdoba the capital of Al-Andalus, and for the next 250 years the city was one of the world's great business and learning centers. It was also Western Europe's largest city during the time. It homed over 250,000 people while Paris held 25,000 people and London had10,000.
Even today you can see remnants of Al-Andalus. In the top-left picture, for example, the tower of the masjid stands behind the other buildings. If you walk through the narrow streets of Córdoba's older sections, you can see the white-washed walls and colorful patios that date back to historic Spain. Step through a back alley to see "floating" gardens, an illusion created by the many plants hanging off of the walls.
Besides the masjid, other monuments built by the Muslims stand today. The Muslims built huge water mills
near the Guadalquivir River. Muslims also introduced the na'ura (noria) to Spain. It was a water-reaising machine made of a large timber wheel and paddles. The Na'ura of Albolafia in Cordoba elevated the water of the river intothe Palace of the Caliphs. Abder-Rahman I commissioned its construction.
So many things to see, and we haven't even made it to the masjid yet!
Hungry? You can now get something to eat from the snack booth. Or click to continue with the tour!
