Creative Arts Learning Vacations in Southern Spain

Cordoba has many ways of showing us it’s proud heritage.

Rich in history, a substantial city in Roman times, becoming for a while the centre of the Muslim world from the beginning of the ninth century, retained its unique character through the ‘reconquest’ and subsequent religious and political upheavals. In its heyday Cordoba had half a million inhabitants, 700 mosques and 300 public baths. Paper, an unknown material to the West, was everywhere – there were bookshops and more than 70 libraries, and in the great library of Cordoba there were some 600,000 manuscripts.

The rich and sophisticated society took a tolerant view towards other faiths, and there was a period of intellectual and economic prosperity until the year of 1013 when Cordoba was sacked. Now the city now rests quietly beside the timeless waters of the great Guadalquivir River.

We can take our time to cross the magnificent Roman bridge and wander through the narrow streets, see the storks’ nests built high up in the church belfries, and soak up the atmosphere in the shady Jewish Quarter. With many places to sit and sketch or just rest, enjoy a coffee or a cool ice cream and watch the people go by before taking in the breathtaking Mezquita – a 11th Century place of worship so large and beautiful that the Christians, after the ‘reconquest’ built a cathedral inside the complex rather than tear it down. Local churchgoers going there to Mass still say they are ‘going to the Mosque’. The old walls of the city stand as silent sentries, guarding this ancient city`s secrets.

Narrow streets in the old quarters have balconies filled with blossoms. May is the Festival de Flores – festival of flowers - with competitions for the most beautiful balconies and patios – it is a time when many private patios are open to the public and we will be able to see all these displays as we wander the ancient winding streets.