Cordoba 
Once the largest city of Roman Spain, Córdoba later formed the heart of the western Islamic empire. Today, the city is a typical bustling, noisy Andalusian city, with lots of atmosphere, fascinating sites, intriguing small streets and shops and the inevitable fabulous choice of restaurants and bars
The Alcázar (of the Christian Kings) features a castle, delightful gardens and a Moorish bathhouse. This is a very popular monument.
The castle is almost a perfect square in plan of 4.100 square metres. It was rebuilt in 1327 by King Alfonso XI. The castle walls connect the four (now three) corner towers by walkways or allures protected by battlements with prism shaped blocks. Despite originating from the Christian era, the gardens are typically Moorish in design with ponds, fountains and aromatic plants. Adjacent to the gardens are the Royal Stables which extend to encompass the Gardens of the Campo Santo de los Mártires.
Córdoba's old Jewish quarter consists of a fascinating network of narrow lanes, more atmospheric and less commercialised than in Sevilla although souvenir shops have emerged.
The Jews were established in Córdoba in roman and Visigothic times and formed a brilliant intellectual group when Hasfay Ibn Shaprut, Abdul al Rahmm III, Jewish councilor attracted intellectuals to the court. Maimonides was born in 1135 and a statue to his honour stands in Tiberiadus Square.
At the centre of the quarter is the Synagogue in Calle de los Judíos, one of only three originals remaining in Spain. A Mudéjar construction dating from 1315, it was converted to a church in the 16th century and then held the Guild of Shoemakers until it was rediscovered in the 19th Century. The interior includes a gallery for women and plaster work with inscriptions from Hebrew psalms and others with plant motifs on the upper part. Its main beautifully restored wall has a semi-circular arch where a chest with the Holy Scrolls of Law used to be kept. The Judería is now known for the jewellers and silversmiths shops
.The Mezquita dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its zenith under a new emir, Abd ar-Rahman 111 who was one of the great rulers of Islamic history. At this time Córdoba was the largest, most prosperous cities of Europe, outshining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendour. Today the Mezquita can be visited throughout the year for a 6 Euro entrance fee. The approach is via the Patio de los Naranjos, a classic Islamic ablutions courtyard which preserves both its orange trees and fountains. When the mosque was used for Moslem prayer, all nineteen naves were open to this courtyard allowing the rows of interior columns to appear like an extension of the tree with brilliant shafts of sunlight filtering through.
Córdoba is particularly well known for its colourful patios which are opened up to the public in early May and may be visited according to pre-established routes. The patios are internal open courtyards that form part of the typical architecture of the Andalucian town house. Córdoba takes a special pride in its patios and decorates them with flowers.
A Patio Contest is held each year, in which home-owners compete for the prize awarded to the most beautifully decorated patio. The map provided by the Tourist Office will help you find the competing courtyards. This is not to be missed for those who love flowers and gardens or are just interested in nosing inside the patios of private houses. It is a serious competition and not an event put on for tourists or visitors from other towns: almost all the Patios are closed from 14.00 to 17.00 just when the day tripper would visit them.
Cadiz , Ceuta , Cordoba , Gibraltar , Granada , Grazalema Natural Park , Istan , Malaga , Marrakesh , Mijas Pueblo , Morrocco , Ojen , Ronda , Seville , Tangier ,
Tarifa ,