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Cordoba
Iberian Adventure:
Can't We All Just Get Along
In Córdoba?
(Dispatch #13)

Story and photos by Tom Weber

Insight Vacations bus

or the past six days, 29 international travel journalists and photographers have banded together and shared space on a luxury motor coach rolling through Portugal and Spain as guests of Insight Vacations (Insight) on it's Iberian Adventure.

the Rio Guadalquivir

Now, on day seven, as we make the final turn and head down the home stretch, it seems appropriate that our party of intrepid scribes and shooters finds itself along the cobble facing the Rio Guadalquivir.

¿Por qué?

the Puente Romano over the Rio Guadalquivir, Cordoba

Well, there's a city in Andalusia, much like our "band of merry media," that once upon a time thrived and survived while other metropolises of the day failed miserably in their quest to provide a positive answer to a simple question: "Can't we all just get along?"

That city was Córdoba, a benchmark ciudad of the Western World, the greatest metropolis west of Constantinople, where three religious cultures – Islamic, Jewish and Christian – lived in peaceful harmony, coexisting and prospering side by side.

the Puerta del Puente (Gate of the Bridge)

Off the motor coach, parked in full view of Puente Romano, a bridge built by the Romans back in 1 AD, we pass through Puerta del Puente (Gate of the Bridge) and into Córdoba's historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enrique, Insight's Córdoba-based art historian

Gathered inside the Patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Oranges), where no less than 98 perfectly spaced orange trees provide a fragrant canopy, we meet up with Enrique, Insight's distinguished-looking, Córdoba-based art historian.

Ear buds in place for a quick audio check of our portable radios – standard issue on all Insight journeys – and then we're on the move again.

Where to?

the grand Mezquita (Mosque) or Córdoba Cathedral, Córdoba

The grand Mezquita (Mosque), Córdoba's iconic structure, where Moorish meets Christian art and architecture.

Flashing our fastrack tickets, we pass through an ornate entryway and into a vast honeycomb of pillared arches – 850 in all – that support the Mezquita and, further inside, a full-blown Renaissance cathedral that occupies the middle of the mosque.

artist at the Mezquita

Awe-inspiringly beautiful, the Mezquita, or Córdoba Cathedral as its known by its current occupants, dominates the historic center, beckoning thousands of tourists – and artists with easels – inside to marvel at its spectacle.

Dancing with the darkness, natural light flows down from windows high above in the four cupolas of the cathedral, creating interesting, eye-catching, atmospheric effects framed perfectly for the camera's lens.

inside the Mezquita, or Córdoba Cathedral

Filled with shimmering decorations throughout, like Byzantine mosaics of gold and a variety of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art, not to mention massive, dueling pipe organs, the Mezquita-Catedral (Mosque-Cathedral) – built in the 10th century as a Moslem center of prayer then transformed into a 16th century Christian house of worship – stands as a reminder of a lavish and refined bygone era of a truly unique, vibrant, multi-cultural world city and the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus.

view of the Mezquita-Catedral from the Courtyard of the Oranges

Back outside, we take one last look around the Courtyard of the Oranges.

In the shadow of the Torre de Alminar, the 93 m tall bell tower that now occupies the space where the Mezguita's minaret once stood, we form up single file and follow behind Enrique as he narrates the scenes unfolding along a serpentine route through the Juderia, Córdoba's whitewashed Jewish quarter.

the Juderia, Córdoba's whitewashed Jewish quarter

A labyrinth of meandering, narrow streets, residents of the Juderia show pride of ownership as they decorate their patios and walkways with colorful seasonal flora.

The atmospheric historical center is, unfortunately, filled with bric-a-brac tourist shops that occupy space adjacent to some excellent bars and restaurants, like Casa Palacio Bandolero.

at the Patio de Las Palmeras (Courtyard of the Palms)

Sitting along Calle Torrijos, just across the street from the Mezquita-Catedral, we gather in the quiet of this restored 8th century house's Patio de Las Palmeras (Courtyard of the Palms) for an endless parade of tapas of black Iberian ham washed down with countless glasses of chilled amontillado jerez (sherry). After all, we are the working press.

A much-needed café solo at Bandolero's bar rounds out this mouthwatering pit stop.

at the Puente Romano Bridge

Founded by those empire-building Romans along the banks of the Guadalquivir, Córdoba became a port city of great importance, shipping Spanish virgin olive oil, strong wines and durum wheat back to Caput Mundi. These sandal-clad sons of Caesar also built the impressive Puente Romano Bridge over the Big G.

more scenes at the Puente Romano Bridge

With less than an hour on the clock before we have to bid adiós, whaddya say we cross that bridge and see what else we can see of captivating Córdoba?

Iberian Adventure brochures from Insight Vacations

For complete information on Insight's 112 premium and luxury-escorted journeys around Europe, including 10 highlighting Portugal and Spain, just click HERE, or call toll free 1-888-680-1241, or contact your travel agent.

flamenco show in Seville

See you in just a couple of hours outside our hotel when we'll go for a twilight carriage ride along the cobble of Seville, take in a fiery flamenco show, and cap our final night of this journey inside the city's oldest tavern savoring more mouth-watering tapas. Deal?

Hasta pronto!

Related Articles:
I'm Not a Barber, But I Am in Seville; Evora's Priced Iberian Ham; The Medieval Village of Monsaraz; Enchanting Évora, Portugal's Laid-Back Museum City; Sampling World-Class Wines at the Alentejo; Cascais and Sintra: To the Edge of the Earth




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Let Tom know what you think about his traveling adventure.

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Feedback for Destination Bosnia: Inside Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope

Spent time in Sarajevo in the fall of 1973…beer was excellent!

--- David

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Hi Tom,

I must say, you're photographs are always amazing. They are top notch. You bring so much class to Traveling Boy. It's photographs like yours that make me want to go out and do my own traveling. Please don't get tired of sending us your amazing adventures. It's such a delight for the soul.

--- Raoul, Whittier, CA

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Hi Tom:

I'm also an American living in Italy. I've read with interest your blog and articles. I'd like to speak with you regarding residency and citizenship for Americans in Italy as you do seem to have a great deal of knowledge on all of these subjects. Would it be possible to give you a call on the phone? If so, please let me know how to reach you. If not, I can ask my questions via email.

Thank you!

--- David

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Hey Tom – Wow! Love those photos – they are so super that they make me A) Want to start eating NOW. B) Go there myself. C) See all that pristine beauty that looks so restful and peaceful. Great story, superb pix!!! Bravo!!

--- John, Los Angeles, CA

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Feedback for Destination Southwestern France: Saint-Émilion

Good job, Tom, and timely info. St. Émilion is in the list of places Jim Hayes and I will visit in September 2014. If we get the chance, we will exploit your experience to enhance the trip!

--- Bobby Harper, Dameron, MD

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Feedback for Vicenza Walks – Monte Berico

I lived in Vicenza for 4 years in the U.S. ARMY from 1963 to 1967. A wonderful place to explore. Palladio’s works are amazing. Have been back twice since and find new places to visit. My favorite is MONTE BERICO where I have some wonderful photos of my family.

--- Dr. Albert Pizzi, Hanover, MA

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I liked the new TB particularly the Vicenza article that took me back as a youth when we lived in Naples and travelled up there for a baseball tourney (U.S. Military Bases dependent schools played each other.)

Took me back to the plaza.

--- Bill

Feedback for A Canterbury Trail (Sutri)

Very interesting note. I have wedroned which route the early pre-Christian and Christian pilgrims travelled to Rome from England. Is it still possible to travel the Francigena trail?

--- Pawel

You can find out more info on walking tours of Via Francigena at this site: http://www.compagniadeicammini.it/en/. Thanks for stopping by and commenting..

Tom

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Good article, enjoyed reading it. Saved your recommended sights for future use.

--- Dardenne Prairie, MO

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You're going to be great at this Tom. Congrats.

--- Donna Vissa -Montreal




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