Andalucia, May 2023 - Cordoba

I’ve had Andalucia on my bucket list for ages and this year I grabbed the opportunity to visit the southern part of Spain.  First stop: Cordoba.  A most beautiful city where I was blown away by the Mezquita, an extraordinary blend of Moorish and Christian architecture.   I arrived early for the first entry at 10am to beat the worst of the tourist hordes.  It was worth it.  I hurried to take photos before humanity became too overwhelming.  

I also visited the Banos del Alcazar Califal (10th Century well preserved Arab Baths with an excellent museum attached).  More images of Arab Baths to come in my next post.  

In glorious sunshine, I spent a pleasant early afternoon discovering the Alcazar de los Reyes Christianos, a palace-fortress built in 1328 for Alfonso XI.  It was later used by the Inquisition and then became a prison.  The gardens are particularly lovely with ponds and fountains.  Stunning Roman mosaics are also on display.  

Finally, enjoy the elegance of Andalusian horses at the Royal Stables.  The building was originally part of the Alcazar, built by King Philip II in 1570. It retains its military character and Moorish architecture and is located in a scenic setting in the historic district of Cordoba on the banks of the Guadalquivir River.  I bought a ticket for the evening performance which allowed me to take photographs at the 11am rehearsals.  No photography was permitted at the evening performance sadly.   The breed is characterized by their long thick mane and tail, as well as their elegant yet robust build. Although found in many colors, gray is the most common coat color. Because of their extreme athleticism, the Andalusian horse has been used in the past as a warhorse, as well as the preferred breed of nobility across Europe. Today, they can be found performing around the world in many equestrian activities, including dressage and show jumping.