Medieval Córdoba: A Guide to its Islamic, Christian and Jewish Heritage

In the early Middle Ages, Córdoba was the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba, and by far the largest city in Western Europe. Its UNESCO-listed historic centre once thronged with Muslims, Christians, and Jews. On this walking tour, you’ll follow the same little-changed streets and maze-like alleyways that those three cultures walked in Medieval times.

The tour starts outside the magnificent Mosque-Cathedral‘s bell tower. You‘ll skirt around the walls of the Patio de los Naranjos (Orange Tree Courtyard) and the Great Mosque, and pass through Puerta del Puente (Bridge Gate) on your way to Puente Romano (Roman Bridge).

Along the way, I‘ll tell you about Abd al-Rahman I, the remarkable man who ordered the construction of the Great Mosque. You‘ll also explore the old Jewish quarter‘s labyrinthine streets, and learn about some of the fascinating figures who lived there, including Sephardic rabbi and philosopher, Maimonides, and the Andalusian jurist, Averroes. The tour ends in the beautiful Calleja de las Flores, with a view of the Mosque-Cathedral‘s bell tower between the flower-decorated balconies and windows.

On this 75-minute tour, you‘ll:

• See the imposing Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (the Castle of the Christian Monarchs), the finest expression of the city‘s Christian heritage, built after they conquered the city in 1236
• Pass Córdoba Synagogue and Capilla Mudéjar de San Bartolomé (Chapel of San Bartolomé), both famous for their intricate craftsmanship
• Visit beautifully restored medieval houses like Casa Árabe
• Find out why Isabella I of Castile ordered the city‘s famous waterwheel, Molino de la Albolafia, to be dismantled
• Follow the events that led to angry citizens storming the Alcázar in 1506, and freeing 400 prisoners
• Hear how the small tower on the top of the Alcázar‘s keep was used during the Inquisition
• Guess who was discovered hiding in the wood store of Baños del Alcázar Califal (the Caliphal Baths), and what happened to him afterwards
• Discover how Alfonso X‘s complicated love life led to civil war after his death

By the end of this tour, you‘ll have seen the city‘s highlights and found out about the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities who lived there in the Middle Ages. Along the way, you‘ll see how the legacy of these three cultures still infuses Córdoban cuisine, architecture and handicrafts today.