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'''Córdoba''' also called '''Cordova''' in [[English language|English]],<ref>''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/137374/Cordoba Córdoba (conventional Cordova)]</ref> is a Spanish city in [[Andalusia]], southern [[Spain]], and the capital of the [[Córdoba (Spanish province)|province of Córdoba]]. An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, in the Middle Ages it became the capital of an [[Caliphate of Cordoba|Islamic caliphate]] in 711 AD, and was reconquered in 1236.
'''Córdoba''' ({{IPA-es|ˈkorðoβa}}; {{lang-ar|{{script|Arab|قُرطبة}}}}, [[DIN 31635|DIN]]: ''{{unicode|Qurṭubah}}''), also called '''Cordova''' in [[English language|English]],<ref>''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'', [http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/137374/Cordoba Córdoba (conventional Cordova)]</ref> is a city in [[Andalusia]], southern [[Spain]], and the capital of the [[Córdoba (Spanish province)|province of Córdoba]]. An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, in the Middle Ages it became the capital of an [[Caliphate of Cordoba|Islamic caliphate]]. The old town contains numerous architectural reminders of when ''Corduba'' was the capital of [[Hispania Ulterior]] during the [[Roman Republic]] and capital of [[Hispania Baetica]] during the [[Roman Empire]]; and when ''Qurṭubah'' (قرطبة) was the capital of the Islamic [[Caliph of Córdoba|Caliphate of Córdoba]], including most of the [[Iberian Peninsula]].


It has been estimated that in the 10th century Córdoba was the most populous city in the world, and under the rule of [[Caliph]] [[Al Hakam II]] it had also become a centre for education under its Islamic rulers. [[Al Hakam II]] opened many libraries on top of the many medical schools and Universities which existed at this time. Such Universities contributed towards developments in mathematics and astronomy.<ref name="fsmitha1">{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/time/ce10.htm |title=10th Century Timeline: 901 to 1000 |publisher=Fsmitha.com |date= |accessdate=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="about1">{{cite web|url=http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa011201a.htm |title=Largest Cities Through History |publisher=Geography.about.com |date=2012-04-09 |accessdate=2013-03-26}}</ref> During these centuries Córdoba had become the intellectual centre of Europe <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h08hispania.htm |title=Spain: 500 to 1200 CE |publisher=Fsmitha.com |date= |accessdate=7 January 2011}}</ref> and was also noted for its predominantly Muslim society that was tolerant toward its Christian and Jewish minorities.<ref name="fsmitha1"/><ref name="about1"/> Today it is a moderately-sized modern city; its population in 2011 was 330,033.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics 2011 (Spanish)|url=http://www.ayuncordoba.es/estadisticas-2011.html|work=http://www.ayuncordoba.es}}</ref>
The old town contains numerous architectural reminders of when ''Corduba'' was the capital of [[Hispania Ulterior]] during the [[Roman Republic]] and capital of [[Hispania Baetica]] during the [[Roman Empire]]; and when ''Qurṭubah'' (قرطبة) was the capital of the Islamic [[Caliph of Córdoba|Caliphate of Córdoba]], including most of the [[Iberian Peninsula]].

It has been estimated that in the 10th century Córdoba was the most populous city in the world, and under the rule of [[Caliph]] [[Al Hakam II]] it had also become a centre for education under its Islamic rulers. He opened many libraries on top of the many medical schools and Universities which existed at this time. Such Universities contributed towards developments in mathematics and astronomy.<ref name="fsmitha1">{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/time/ce10.htm |title=10th Century Timeline: 901 to 1000 |publisher=Fsmitha.com |date= |accessdate=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name="about1">{{cite web|url=http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa011201a.htm |title=Largest Cities Through History |publisher=Geography.about.com |date=2012-04-09 |accessdate=2013-03-26}}</ref> During these centuries Córdoba had become the intellectual centre of Europe <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h08hispania.htm |title=Spain: 500 to 1200 CE |publisher=Fsmitha.com |date= |accessdate=7 January 2011}}</ref> and was also noted for its predominantly Muslim society that was generally tolerant toward its Christian and Jewish minorities.<ref name="fsmitha1"/><ref name="about1"/> Today it is a moderately-sized modern city; its population in 2011 was 330,033.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics 2011 (Spanish)|url=http://www.ayuncordoba.es/estadisticas-2011.html|work=http://www.ayuncordoba.es}}</ref>


{{Infobox World Heritage Site
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
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==History==
==History==
The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a [[Neanderthal Man]], dating to c. 42,000 to 35,000 BC.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neanderthals Died Out Earlier Than Thought |url=http://www.livescience.com/26831-neanderthals-died-earlier.html |date= |work=|publisher=|accessdate=9 June 2013}}</ref> In the 8th century BC, during the ancient [[Tartessos]] period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy. The first historical mention of a settlement dates, however, to the [[Carthaginian]] expansion across the [[Guadalquivir]], when the general [[Hamilcar Barca]] renamed it ''Kartuba'', from ''Kart-Juba'', meaning "the City of [[Juba I of Numidia|Juba]]", the latter being a [[Numidian]] commander who had died in a battle nearby. Córdoba was conquered by the [[ancient Rome|Romans]] in 206 BC. In 169 the Roman consul [[Marcus Claudius Marcellus]] founded a Latin colony alongside the pre-existing Iberian settlement. Between 143 and 141 BC the town was besieged by [[Viriatus]]. A Roman Forum is known to have existed in the city in 113 BC.


At the time of [[Julius Caesar]], Córdoba was the capital of the Roman province of ''[[Hispania Baetica|Hispania Ulterior Baetica]]''. Great Roman philosophers such as Lucius Annaeus [[Seneca the Younger]], orators such as [[Seneca the Elder]] and poets such as [[Marcus Annaeus Lucanus|Lucan]] came from Roman Cordoba. Later, it occupied an important place in the ''Provincia Hispaniae'' of the Byzantine Empire (552–572) and under the [[Visigoths]], who conquered it in the late 6th century.
The city was founded by Romans and the origin of its name, in [[Iberian languages|Old Iberian]], means '''hill''' or '''river'''.

===Moorish rule===


{{main| Caliphate of Córdoba}}
{{main| Caliphate of Córdoba}}
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Córdoba was captured in 711<ref>{{cite web |title=Córdoba History |url=http://www.cordoba24.info/english/html/geschichte.html |date= |work=|publisher=|accessdate=16 July 2009}}</ref> by a Muslim army. Unlike other Iberian towns, no capitulation was signed and the position was taken by storm. Córdoba was in turn governed by direct Muslim rule. The new Muslim commanders established themselves within the city and in 716 it became a provincial capital, subordinate to the [[Caliphate of Damascus]]; in Arabic it was known as '''قرطبة''' (Qurṭubah).
Córdoba was captured in 711<ref>{{cite web |title=Córdoba History |url=http://www.cordoba24.info/english/html/geschichte.html |date= |work=|publisher=|accessdate=16 July 2009}}</ref> by a Muslim army. Unlike other Iberian towns, no capitulation was signed and the position was taken by storm. Córdoba was in turn governed by direct Muslim rule. The new Muslim commanders established themselves within the city and in 716 it became a provincial capital, subordinate to the [[Caliphate of Damascus]]; in Arabic it was known as '''قرطبة''' (Qurṭubah).


Different areas were allocated for the services in the Saint Vincent Church shared by Christian and Muslims, until the [[Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba#Origins|Great mosque]] started to be erected on the same spot under [[Abd-ar-Rahman I]]. In May 766, it was chosen as the capital of the independent Muslim emirate of [[al-Andalus]], later a [[Caliphate of Cordoba|Caliphate]] itself. During the caliphate apogee (1000 AD), Córdoba had a population of roughly 500,000 inhabitants,<ref>{{citation|title=Princes and Merchants: European City Growth before the Industrial Revolution|author=J. Bradford De Long and Andrei Shleifer|journal=[[The Journal of Law and Economics]]|volume=36|issue=2|date=October 1993|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|pages=671–702 [678]}}</ref> though estimates range between 350,000 and 1,000,000. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Córdoba was one of the most advanced cities in the world as well as a great cultural, political, financial and economic centre.<ref>{{Cite NIE|Cordova|year=1905}}</ref> The [[Great Mosque of Córdoba]] dates back to this time; under caliph [[Al-Hakam II]] Córdoba had 3,000 mosques, splendid palaces and 300 [[Public bathing|public baths]], and received what was then the largest library in the world, housing from 400,000 to 1,000,000 volumes.
Different areas were allocated for the services in the Saint Vincent Church shared by Christian and Muslims, until the [[Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba#Origins|former Mosque]] started to be erected on the same spot under [[Abd-ar-Rahman I]]. In May 766, it was chosen as the capital of the independent Muslim emirate of [[al-Andalus]], later a [[Caliphate of Cordoba|Caliphate]] itself. During the caliphate apogee (1000 AD), Córdoba had a population of roughly 500,000 inhabitants,<ref>{{citation|title=Princes and Merchants: European City Growth before the Industrial Revolution|author=J. Bradford De Long and Andrei Shleifer|journal=[[The Journal of Law and Economics]]|volume=36|issue=2|date=October 1993|publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]]|pages=671–702 [678]}}</ref> though estimates range between 350,000 and 1,000,000. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Córdoba was one of the most advanced cities in the world as well as a great cultural, political, financial and economic centre.<ref>{{Cite NIE|Cordova|year=1905}}</ref> The [[Great Mosque of Córdoba]] dates back to this time; under caliph [[Al-Hakam II]] Córdoba had 3,000 mosques, splendid palaces and 300 [[Public bathing|public baths]], and received what was then the largest library in the world, housing from 400,000 to 1,000,000 volumes.


Reinhardt Dozy wrote:<ref>{{cite web |title=Spain from the 6th to 12th Century History |url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h08hispania.htm |date= |work=|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>
Reinhardt Dozy wrote:<ref>{{cite web |title=Spain from the 6th to 12th Century History |url=http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h08hispania.htm |date= |work=|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>
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However, following al-Mansur's death, internal struggle for power between different factions led to the pillage and destruction of [[Medina Azahara]] and other splendid buildings of Córdoba. The city fell into a steady decline in the next decades and after the fall of the caliphate (1031), Córdoba became the capital of a Republican independent [[taifa of Cordoba|taifa]]. This short-lived state was conquered by [[Al-Mu'tamid ibn Abbad]], [[taifa of Seville|lord of Seville]], in 1070. In turn, the latter was overthrown by the [[Almoravids]], who were later replaced by the [[Almohads]].
However, following al-Mansur's death, internal struggle for power between different factions led to the pillage and destruction of [[Medina Azahara]] and other splendid buildings of Córdoba. The city fell into a steady decline in the next decades and after the fall of the caliphate (1031), Córdoba became the capital of a Republican independent [[taifa of Cordoba|taifa]]. This short-lived state was conquered by [[Al-Mu'tamid ibn Abbad]], [[taifa of Seville|lord of Seville]], in 1070. In turn, the latter was overthrown by the [[Almoravids]], who were later replaced by the [[Almohads]].


During the latter's domination the city declined, the role of the capital of Muslim al-Andalus having been given to [[Seville]].
During the latter's domination the city declined, the role of the capital of Muslim al-Andalus having been given to [[Seville]]. On 29 June 1236, after a siege of several months, it was captured by King [[Ferdinand III of Castile]], during the [[Spanish Reconquista]]. The city was divided into 14 ''colaciones'', and numerous new church buildings were added.

===Reconquest and modern history===
On 29 June 1236, after a siege of several months, it was captured by King [[Ferdinand III of Castile]], during the [[Spanish Reconquista]]. The city was divided into 14 ''colaciones'', and numerous new church buildings were added.


The city declined especially after Renaissance times. In the 18th century it was reduced to just 20,000 inhabitants. The population and economy started to increase only in the early 20th century.
The city declined especially after Renaissance times. In the 18th century it was reduced to just 20,000 inhabitants. The population and economy started to increase only in the early 20th century.
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[[File:Mezquita de Córdoba.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Calleja de las Flores]], with the Great Cathedral in the background.]]
[[File:Mezquita de Córdoba.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Calleja de las Flores]], with the Great Cathedral in the background.]]


Córdoba has the second largest Old town in Europe, the largest urban area in the world declared [[World Heritage]] by [[UNESCO]]. The most important building and symbol of the city, the [[Cathedral of Córdoba]], alongside the [[Roman bridge of Córdoba|Roman bridge]], are the best known facet of the city. Other Roman remains include the [[Roman temple of Córdoba|Roman Temple]], the [[Roman theatre of Córdoba|Theatre]], [[Roman mausoleum of Córdoba|Mausoleum]], the Colonial Forum, the ''Forum Adiectum'', an amphitheater and the remains of the Palace of the Emperor [[Maximian]] in the [[Archaeological site of Cercadilla]], among others.
Córdoba has the second largest Old town in Europe, the largest urban area in the world declared [[World Heritage]] by [[UNESCO]]. The most important building and symbol of the city, the [[Great Mosque of Córdoba]] and current cathedral, alongside the [[Roman bridge of Córdoba|Roman bridge]], are the best known facet of the city. Other Roman remains include the [[Roman temple of Córdoba|Roman Temple]], the [[Roman theatre of Córdoba|Theatre]], [[Roman mausoleum of Córdoba|Mausoleum]], the Colonial Forum, the ''Forum Adiectum'', an amphitheater and the remains of the Palace of the Emperor [[Maximian]] in the [[Archaeological site of Cercadilla]], among others.


Near the cathedral is the old [[Jewish quarter of Córdoba|Jewish quarter]], which consists of many irregular streets, such as ''Calleja de las Flores'' and ''Calleja del Pañuelo'', and which is home to the [[Córdoba Synagogue|Synagogue]] and the Sephardic House. In the extreme southwest of the Old Town is the [[Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos]], a former royal property and the seat of the [[Spanish Inquisition|Inquisition]]; adjacent to it are the [[Royal Stables of Córdoba|Royal Stables]], a breeding place of the [[Andalusian horse]]. Near the stables are located, along the walls, the medieval Baths of the Caliphate. In the south of the Old town and east of the great cathedral, in the [[Plaza del Potro]], is the ''Posada del Potro'', a row of [[inn]]s mentioned in literary works such as ''Don Quixote'' and ''La Feria de los Discretos'' and which remained active until 1972. Both the plaza and the inn get their name from the fountain in the centre of the plaza, which represents a foal. Not far from this plaza is the ''Arco del Portillo ''(a 14th-century arch).
Near the cathedral is the old [[Jewish quarter of Córdoba|Jewish quarter]], which consists of many irregular streets, such as ''Calleja de las Flores'' and ''Calleja del Pañuelo'', and which is home to the [[Córdoba Synagogue|Synagogue]] and the Sephardic House. In the extreme southwest of the Old Town is the [[Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos]], a former royal property and the seat of the [[Spanish Inquisition|Inquisition]]; adjacent to it are the [[Royal Stables of Córdoba|Royal Stables]], a breeding place of the [[Andalusian horse]]. Near the stables are located, along the walls, the medieval Baths of the Caliphate. In the south of the Old town and east of the great cathedral, in the [[Plaza del Potro]], is the ''Posada del Potro'', a row of [[inn]]s mentioned in literary works such as ''Don Quixote'' and ''La Feria de los Discretos'' and which remained active until 1972. Both the plaza and the inn get their name from the fountain in the centre of the plaza, which represents a foal. Not far from this plaza is the ''Arco del Portillo ''(a 14th-century arch).
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==People==
==People==
[[File:Mezquita Orange Tree Courtyard.jpg|thumb|200px|Patio de los naranjos of the [[Great Mosque of Córdoba|Great Mosque]].]]
{{main category|People from Córdoba, Andalusia}}
Córdoba was the birthplace of the following philosophers and religious scholars:
* [[Lucan (poet)|Lucan]], Roman poet
* In Roman times the [[Stoicism|Stoic]] philosopher [[Lucius Annaeus Seneca|Seneca]]
* The [[Martyrs of Córdoba]], 9th-century Christians beheaded by Muslims
* In Islamic times
* [[Lucius Annaeus Seneca|Seneca]], Roman Stoic philosopher
* [[Abd Allah al-Qaysi]], Muslim jurist
** [[Abd Allah al-Qaysi]], an early jurist responsible for spreading the [[Zahiri]]te school
* [[Ibn Hazm]], Muslim jurist
** [[Ibn Hazm]], a major Muslim theologian and legal jurist,
* [[Averroes]], philosopher
** [[Averroes]], an important figure in both Muslim and Western philosophy,
*[[Mundhir bin Sa'īd al-Ballūṭī]], judge
** [[Mundhir bin Sa'īd al-Ballūṭī]], a prominent judge for the [[Caliph of Cordoba]],
* [[Ibn Maḍāʾ]], linguist
** [[Ibn Maḍāʾ]], the first [[linguist]] to write about [[dependency grammar]],
*[[al-Qurtubi]], Muslim jurist
** [[al-Qurtubi]], a leading jurist of the [[Maliki]] [[Madhhab|school]], and
*[[Moses Maimonides]], rabbi and philosopher
** [[Moses Maimonides]], a [[rabbi]] who radically changed the direction of Jewish philosophy.

* [[Juan de Mena]], medieval poet
Córdoba was also the birthplace of
* [[Luis de Góngora]], Renaissance poet
* The Roman poet [[Lucan (poet)|Lucan]],
* [[Julio Romero de Torres]], painter (1874–1930).
* The medieval Spanish poet [[Juan de Mena]]
*[[Flamenco]] artists
* The Renaissance poet [[Luis de Góngora]], who lived most of his life and wrote all his most important works but one in Córdoba.
**[[Vicente Amigo]]

**[[Joaquín Cortés]]
The [[Renaissance]] philosopher [[Abraham Cohen de Herrera]] and the Jewish mystic [[Moses ben Jacob Cordovero]] both descended from families which lived in Córdoba before the [[expulsion of the Jews from Spain]].
**[[Fosforito]]

**[[Paco Peña]]
The painter [[Julio Romero de Torres]] (1874–1930).
**[[Juan Serrano (Flamenco)|Juan Serrano]]

*[[Manolete]], matador
More recently, several [[flamenco]] artists were born here as well, including
*[[Vicente Amigo]]
*[[Joaquín Cortés]]
*[[Fosforito]]
*[[Paco Peña]]
*[[Juan Serrano (Flamenco)|Juan Serrano]]

Also recently
*Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez ([[Manolete]]), matador
*[[Fernando Tejero]], actor
*[[Fernando Tejero]], actor


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[[Category:Historic Jewish communities]]
[[Category:Historic Jewish communities]]
[[Category:Municipalities in the Province of Córdoba (Spain)]]
[[Category:Municipalities in the Province of Córdoba (Spain)]]
[[Category:Roman colonies]]
[[Category:Roman sites in Spain]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Spain]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Spain]]
[[Category:3rd-century BC establishments]]
[[Category:3rd-century BC establishments]]

Revision as of 00:59, 7 October 2013

Córdoba
View of the Roman bridge and the city of Córdoba
View of the Roman bridge and the city of Córdoba
Flag of Córdoba
Coat of arms of Córdoba
Country Spain
Autonomous community Andalusia
ProvinceCórdoba
Judicial districtCórdoba
Founded169 BC (Roman colony)
Government
 • TypeMayor-council government
 • BodyAyuntamiento de Córdoba
 • MayorJosé Antonio Nieto Ballesteros (PP)
Area
 • Total1,255.24 km2 (484.65 sq mi)
Elevation
120 m (390 ft)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total325,453
 • Density260/km2 (670/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Cordobés/sa, cordobense, cortubí, patriciense
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
14001–14014
Official language(s)Spanish
WebsiteOfficial website

Córdoba (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkorðoβa]; Arabic: قُرطبة, DIN: Qurṭubah), also called Cordova in English,[1] is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, in the Middle Ages it became the capital of an Islamic caliphate. The old town contains numerous architectural reminders of when Corduba was the capital of Hispania Ulterior during the Roman Republic and capital of Hispania Baetica during the Roman Empire; and when Qurṭubah (قرطبة) was the capital of the Islamic Caliphate of Córdoba, including most of the Iberian Peninsula.

It has been estimated that in the 10th century Córdoba was the most populous city in the world, and under the rule of Caliph Al Hakam II it had also become a centre for education under its Islamic rulers. Al Hakam II opened many libraries on top of the many medical schools and Universities which existed at this time. Such Universities contributed towards developments in mathematics and astronomy.[2][3] During these centuries Córdoba had become the intellectual centre of Europe [4] and was also noted for its predominantly Muslim society that was tolerant toward its Christian and Jewish minorities.[2][3] Today it is a moderately-sized modern city; its population in 2011 was 330,033.[5]

Historic Centre of Córdoba
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Aerial view of the Historic Centre of Cordoba
CriteriaCultural: i, ii, iii, iv
Reference313
Inscription1984 (8th Session)
Extensions1994

History

The first trace of human presence in the area are remains of a Neanderthal Man, dating to c. 42,000 to 35,000 BC.[6] In the 8th century BC, during the ancient Tartessos period, a pre-urban settlement existed. The population gradually learned copper and silver metallurgy. The first historical mention of a settlement dates, however, to the Carthaginian expansion across the Guadalquivir, when the general Hamilcar Barca renamed it Kartuba, from Kart-Juba, meaning "the City of Juba", the latter being a Numidian commander who had died in a battle nearby. Córdoba was conquered by the Romans in 206 BC. In 169 the Roman consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus founded a Latin colony alongside the pre-existing Iberian settlement. Between 143 and 141 BC the town was besieged by Viriatus. A Roman Forum is known to have existed in the city in 113 BC.

At the time of Julius Caesar, Córdoba was the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Ulterior Baetica. Great Roman philosophers such as Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger, orators such as Seneca the Elder and poets such as Lucan came from Roman Cordoba. Later, it occupied an important place in the Provincia Hispaniae of the Byzantine Empire (552–572) and under the Visigoths, who conquered it in the late 6th century.

Córdoba was captured in 711[7] by a Muslim army. Unlike other Iberian towns, no capitulation was signed and the position was taken by storm. Córdoba was in turn governed by direct Muslim rule. The new Muslim commanders established themselves within the city and in 716 it became a provincial capital, subordinate to the Caliphate of Damascus; in Arabic it was known as قرطبة (Qurṭubah).

Different areas were allocated for the services in the Saint Vincent Church shared by Christian and Muslims, until the former Mosque started to be erected on the same spot under Abd-ar-Rahman I. In May 766, it was chosen as the capital of the independent Muslim emirate of al-Andalus, later a Caliphate itself. During the caliphate apogee (1000 AD), Córdoba had a population of roughly 500,000 inhabitants,[8] though estimates range between 350,000 and 1,000,000. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Córdoba was one of the most advanced cities in the world as well as a great cultural, political, financial and economic centre.[9] The Great Mosque of Córdoba dates back to this time; under caliph Al-Hakam II Córdoba had 3,000 mosques, splendid palaces and 300 public baths, and received what was then the largest library in the world, housing from 400,000 to 1,000,000 volumes.

Reinhardt Dozy wrote:[10]

The fame of Córdoba penetrated even distant Germany: the Saxon nun Hroswitha, famous in the last half of the 10th century for its Latin poems and dramas, called it the Jewel of the World.

— Reinhardt Dozy

However, following al-Mansur's death, internal struggle for power between different factions led to the pillage and destruction of Medina Azahara and other splendid buildings of Córdoba. The city fell into a steady decline in the next decades and after the fall of the caliphate (1031), Córdoba became the capital of a Republican independent taifa. This short-lived state was conquered by Al-Mu'tamid ibn Abbad, lord of Seville, in 1070. In turn, the latter was overthrown by the Almoravids, who were later replaced by the Almohads.

During the latter's domination the city declined, the role of the capital of Muslim al-Andalus having been given to Seville. On 29 June 1236, after a siege of several months, it was captured by King Ferdinand III of Castile, during the Spanish Reconquista. The city was divided into 14 colaciones, and numerous new church buildings were added.

The city declined especially after Renaissance times. In the 18th century it was reduced to just 20,000 inhabitants. The population and economy started to increase only in the early 20th century.

With the most extensive historical heritages in the world declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO (on 17 December 1984), the city also features a number of modern areas, including the districts of Zoco and the railway station district.

The regional government (the Junta de Andalucía) has for some time been studying the creation of a Córdoba Metropolitan Area that would comprise, in addition to the capital itself, the towns of Villafranca de Córdoba, Obejo, La Carlota, Villaharta, Villaviciosa, Almodóvar del Río and Guadalcázar. The combined population of such an area would be around 351,000.

Geography

The city is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, and its easy access to the mining resources of the Sierra Morena (coal, lead, zinc) satisfies the population’s needs.

The city is located in a depression of the valley of the Guadalquivir. In the north is the Sierra Morena, which defines the borders of the municipal area.

Córdoba is one of the few cities in the world that has a near-exact antipodal city – Hamilton, New Zealand.

Climate

Córdoba has a Subtropical-Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification Csa).[11] Córdoba has the highest summer average daily temperatures in Europe (averaging 36.2 °C (97 °F) in July) and days with temperature over 40 °C (104 °F) are common in the summer months. August's 24 hour average of 27.2 °C (81 °F) is also among the highest in Europe, despite having relatively cool nightly temperatures.

Winters are mild with isolated frosts. Precipitation is concentrated in the coldest months; this is due to the Atlantic coastal influence. Precipitation is generated by storms from the west that occur most frequently from December through February. This Atlantic characteristic then gives way to a hot summer with significant drought more typical of Mediterranean climates. Annual rain surpasses 500 mm (20 in), although there is a recognized inter-annual irregularity.

Registered maximum temperatures at the Córdoba Airport (located at 6 kilometres (4 miles) of the city) are 46.6 °C (115.9 °F) (23 July 1995) and 46.2 °C (115.2 °F) (1 August 2003). The minimum temperature ever recorded was −8.2 °C (17.2 °F) (28 January 2005).[12]

Climate data for Córdoba
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.7
(58.5)
16.9
(62.4)
20.5
(68.9)
22.1
(71.8)
26.2
(79.2)
31.6
(88.9)
36.2
(97.2)
35.9
(96.6)
31.7
(89.1)
25.0
(77.0)
18.9
(66.0)
15.3
(59.5)
24.6
(76.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 9.2
(48.6)
10.9
(51.6)
13.5
(56.3)
15.4
(59.7)
19.0
(66.2)
23.5
(74.3)
27.2
(81.0)
27.2
(81.0)
24.0
(75.2)
18.5
(65.3)
13.2
(55.8)
10.2
(50.4)
17.6
(63.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.7
(38.7)
4.9
(40.8)
6.4
(43.5)
8.6
(47.5)
11.8
(53.2)
15.5
(59.9)
18.1
(64.6)
18.5
(65.3)
16.2
(61.2)
12.1
(53.8)
7.6
(45.7)
5.2
(41.4)
10.7
(51.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 64
(2.5)
53
(2.1)
40
(1.6)
61
(2.4)
34
(1.3)
17
(0.7)
3
(0.1)
3
(0.1)
24
(0.9)
62
(2.4)
85
(3.3)
89
(3.5)
536
(21.1)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 7 6 5 8 5 2 1 1 2 6 6 8 56
Mean monthly sunshine hours 168 172 212 212 271 312 352 328 241 208 176 148 2,800
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[13]

Main sights

Historic architecture

Roman Mausoleum in the Paseo de la Victoria.
Interior of the Cathedral of Córdoba.
Calleja de las Flores, with the Great Cathedral in the background.

Córdoba has the second largest Old town in Europe, the largest urban area in the world declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The most important building and symbol of the city, the Great Mosque of Córdoba and current cathedral, alongside the Roman bridge, are the best known facet of the city. Other Roman remains include the Roman Temple, the Theatre, Mausoleum, the Colonial Forum, the Forum Adiectum, an amphitheater and the remains of the Palace of the Emperor Maximian in the Archaeological site of Cercadilla, among others.

Near the cathedral is the old Jewish quarter, which consists of many irregular streets, such as Calleja de las Flores and Calleja del Pañuelo, and which is home to the Synagogue and the Sephardic House. In the extreme southwest of the Old Town is the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a former royal property and the seat of the Inquisition; adjacent to it are the Royal Stables, a breeding place of the Andalusian horse. Near the stables are located, along the walls, the medieval Baths of the Caliphate. In the south of the Old town and east of the great cathedral, in the Plaza del Potro, is the Posada del Potro, a row of inns mentioned in literary works such as Don Quixote and La Feria de los Discretos and which remained active until 1972. Both the plaza and the inn get their name from the fountain in the centre of the plaza, which represents a foal. Not far from this plaza is the Arco del Portillo (a 14th-century arch).

Along the banks of the Guadalquivir are the Mills of the Guadalquivir, moorish era buildings that took advantage of the water force to grind the flour. They include the Albolafia, Alegría, Carbonell, Casillas, Enmedio, Lope García, Martos, Pápalo, San Antonio, San Lorenzo and San Rafael mills.[citation needed]

Surrounding the large Old town are the Roman walls: gates include the Puerta de Almodóvar, the Puerta de Sevilla and Puerta del Puente, which are the only three gates remaining from the original thirteen. Towers and fortresses include the Malmuerta Tower, the Belén Tower and the Puerta del Rincón's Tower, and the fortress of the Calahorra Tower and of the Donceles Tower.

Palace buildings in the Old Town include the Palacio de Viana (14th century) and the Palacio de la Merced among others. On the outskirts of the city lies the Archaeological site of the city of Medina Azahara, which, together with the Alhambra in Granada, is one of the main Spanish-Muslim architectures in Spain.

Other sights are the Cuesta del Bailío (a staircase connecting the upper and lower part of the city) and the Minaret of San Juan, once part of an mosque.

Fernandine churches

The city is home to 12 Christian churches that were built (many as transformations of mosques) by Ferdinand III of Castile after the reconquest of the city in the 13th century. They were to act both as churches and as the administrative centres in the neighborhoods into which the city was divided in medieval times. Some of those that remain are:

Iglesia de Santa Marina de Aguas Santas, built in the 13th century.

Other religious structures

Main façade of the Iglesia de San Hipólito.

Sculptures and memorials

Scattered throughout the city are ten statues of Archangel Raphael, protector and custodian of the city. These are called Triumphs of Saint Raphael and are located in landmarks such as the Roman Bridge, the Puerta del Puente and the Plaza del Potro.

In the western part of the Historic Centre are the statue to Seneca (near the Puerta de Almodóvar, a gate of Islamic ordigina), the Statue of Averroes (next to the Puerta de la Luna), and Maimonides (in the plaza de Tiberiades). Further south, near the Puerta de Sevilla, are the sculpture to the poet Ibn Zaydún and the sculpture of the writer and poet Ibn Hazm and, inside the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the monument to the Catholic Monarchs and Christopher Columbus.

There are also several sculptures placed in plazas of the Old Town. In the central Plaza de las Tendillas is the equestrian statue of the Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, in the Plaza de Capuchinos is the Cristo de los Faroles, in Plaza de la Trinidad is the statue of Luis de Góngora, in the Plaza del Cardenal Salazar is the bust of Ahmad ibn Muhammad abu Yafar al-Gafiqi, in the Plaza de Capuchinas is the statue to the bishop Osio, in Plaza del Conde de Priego is the monument to Manolete and the Campo Santo de los Mártires is a statue to Al-Hakam II and the monument to the lovers.

In the Jardines de la Agricultura is the monument to the painter Julio Romero de Torres, a bust by sculptor Mateo Inurria, the bust of the poet Julio Aumente and the sculpture dedicated to the gardener Aniceto García Roldán, who was killed in the park. Further south, in the Gardens of the Duke of Rivas, is a statue of the writer and poet Ángel de Saavedra, 3rd Duke of Rivas made by the sculptor Mariano Benlliure.

In the Guadalquivir river, near the San Rafael Bridge is the Island of the sculptures, an artificial island with a dozen stone sculptures executed during the International Sculpture Symposium. Up the river, near the Miraflores bridge, is the "Hombre Río", a sculpture of a swimmer looking to the sky and whose orientation varies depending from the current.

Gardens, parks and natural environments

Parque de Miraflores. In the background is the sculpture entitled "Salam".
Paseo de Córdoba.
Fuente de los Jardines de Colón.
Gardens of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
  • Jardines de la Victoria. Within the gardens there are two newly renovated facilities, the old Caseta del Círculo de la Amistad, today Caseta Victoria, and the Kiosko de la música, as well as a small Modernist fountain from the early 20th century. The northern section, called Jardines of Duque de Rivas, features a pergola of neoclassical style, designed by the architect Carlos Sáenz de Santamaría; it is used as an exhibition hall and a café bar.
  • Jardines de la Agricultura, located between the Jardines de la Victoria and the Paseo de Córdoba: it includes numerous trails that radially converge to a round square which has a fountain or pond. This is known as the duck pond, and, in the centre, has an island with a small building in which these animals live. Scattered throughout the garden are numerous sculptures such as the sculpture in memory of Julio Romero de Torres, the sculpture to the composer Julio Aumente and the bust of Mateo Inurria. In the north is a rose garden in form of a labyrinth.
  • Parque de Miraflores, located on the south bank of the river Guadalquivir. It was designed by the architect Juan Cuenca Montilla as a series of terraces. Among other points of interest as the Salam and Miraflores Bridge and a sculpture by Agustín Ibarrola.
  • Parque Cruz Conde, located southwest of the city, is an open park and barrier-free park in English gardens style.[15]
  • Paseo de Cordoba. Located on the underground train tracks, it is a long tour of several km in length with more than 434,000 m². The tour has numerous fountains, including six formed by a portico of falling water which form a waterfall to a pond with four levels. Integrated into the tour is a pond of water from the Roman era, and the building of the old train station of RENFE, now converted into offices of Canal Sur.
  • Jardines Juan Carlos I, in the Ciudad Jardín neighborhood. It is a fortress which occupies an area of about 12,500 square metres.
  • Jardines del Conde de Vallellano, located on both sides of the avenue of the same name. It includes a large L-shaped pond with a capacity of 3,000 m3 (105,944.00 cu ft) and archaeological remains embedded in the gardens, among which is a Roman cistern from the second half of the 1st century BC.
  • Parque de la Asomadilla, with a surface of 27 hectares, is the second largest park in Andalusia.[16] The park recreates a Mediterranean forest vegetation, such as hawthorn, pomegranate, hackberry, oak, olive, tamarisk, cypress, elms, pines, oaks and carob trees among others.
  • Balcón del Guadalquivir
  • Jardines de Colón'
  • Sotos de la Albolafia. Declared Natural monument by the Andalusian Autonomous Government, it is located in a stretch of the Guadalquivir river from the Roman Bridge and the San Rafael Bridge, with an area of 21.36 hectares.[17] Host a large variety of birds and is an important point of migration for many birds.
  • Parque periurbano Los Villares

Bridges

Córdoba has a total of seven bridges, one of which is under construction.

The Tower of Calahorra to one side of the Roman Bridge.
  • Roman Bridge, over the Guadalquivir River. It links the area of Campo de la Verdad with Barrio de la Catedral. It was the only bridge of the city for twenty centuries, until the construction of the San Rafael Bridge in the mid-20th century. Built in the early 1st century BC, during the period of Roman rule in Córdoba, probably replacing a more primitive of wood, it has a length of about 250 m and consists of 16 arches.
  • San Rafael Bridge, consisting of eight arches of 25 m span and a length of 217 m. The width is between parapets, divided into 12 m of cobblestone for four circulations and two tiled concrete sidewalks. It was inaugurated on 29 April 1953 joining the Avenue Corregidor with Plaza de Andalucía. In January 2004, the plaques reading "His Excellency the Head of State and Generalissimo of all the Armies, Francisco Franco Bahamonde, opened this bridge of the Guadalquivir on 29 April 1953", which were in each of the entrances of the bridge, each in its own direction, were removed.
  • Andalusia Bridge, a suspension bridge.
  • Puente de Miraflores, known as "the rusty bridge". This bridge links the Street San Fernando and Ronda de Isasa with the Miraflores peninsula. It was designed by Herrero, Suárez and Casado and inaugurated on 2 May 2003. At first, in 1989, had considered the proposal[18] of the architect-engineer Santiago Calatrava, that would looks like the Lusitania Bridge of Mérida, but was eventually discarded because of is potential impact on the artistic whole of the historic, because with its height could cover the view of the Great Mosque.
  • Autovía del Sur Bridge.
  • Abbas Ibn Firnas Bridge, under construction. It is part of the future variant west of Córdoba.
  • Puente del Arenal, connecting Avenue Campo de la Verdad with the Recinto Ferial (fairground) of Cordoba.

Politics and government

Puerta del Puente.
Former Royal Hospital San Sebastián, now Congress hall of Córdoba.
Local administration

Currently the mayor of Córdoba is Jose Antonio Nieto (PP).

The City Council of Córdoba is divided into different areas: the Presidency, Security, Mobility, Equality and Participation; the Planning, Housing, Infrastructure and Environment; the Economy, Trade, Employment and Management; the Social; the Cultural Services and Tourism.[19] The council holds regular plenary session once a month, but often held extraordinary plenary session to discuss issues and problems affecting the city.[20]

The Governing Board, chaired by the mayor, consists of five councillors of United Left (IU), two councilors of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and other three members not elected.[21][22] The municipal council consists of 29 members: 14 of People's Party, 11 of IU and 4 of PSOE.

List of mayors since the democratic elections of 1979
Legislature Name Party
1979–1983 Julio Anguita PCE
1983–1987 Julio Anguita (until February 1, 1986)
Herminio Trigo
PCE(IU)
1987–1991 Herminio Trigo IU
1991–1995 Herminio Trigo IU
Manuel Pérez Pérez IU
1995–1999 Rafael Merino PP
1999–2003 Rosa Aguilar IU
2003–2007 Rosa Aguilar IU
2007–2011 Rosa Aguilar (until April 23, 2009)
Andrés Ocaña
IU
Administrative division

Since July 2008, the city is divided into 10 administrative districts, coordinated by the Municipal district boards, which in turn are subdivided into neighbourhoods

District District Location
Centro Poniente-Sur
Levante Sur
Noroeste Sureste
Norte-Sierra Periurbano Este-Campiña
Poniente-Norte Periurbano Oeste-Sierra

Museums

  • Archeological and Ethnological Museum of Córdoba.
  • Julio Romero de Torres Museum.
  • Museum of Fine Arts.
  • Dioceses Museum.
  • Baths of the Fortress Califal.
  • Botanical Museum of Cordova.
  • Three Cultures Museum.
  • Bullfighting Museum.
  • Molino de Martos Hydraulic Museum.
  • Museo Palacio de Viana

Theatres

  • Gran Teatro de Córdoba.
  • Teatro Axerquía.
  • Teatro Góngora.

May celebrations

Tourism is especially intense in Córdoba during May because of the weather and as this month hosts three festivals.[23]

The May Crosses Festival takes place at the beginning of the month. During three or four days, crosses of around 3 m height are placed in many squares and streets and decorated with flowers and a contest is held to choose the most beautiful one. Usually there is regional food and music near the crosses.

The Patios Festival is celebrated during the second and third week of the month. Many houses of the historic centre open their private patios to the public and compete in a contest. Both the architectonic value and the floral decorations are taken into consideration to choose the winners. It is usually very difficult and expensive to find accommodation in the city during the festival.

Córdoba's Fair takes place at the ending of the month and is similar to the better known Seville Fair with some differences, mainly that the Seville one is private, while the Cordoba one is not.

People

Patio de los naranjos of the Great Mosque.

Córdoba was the birthplace of the following philosophers and religious scholars:

Córdoba was also the birthplace of

  • The Roman poet Lucan,
  • The medieval Spanish poet Juan de Mena
  • The Renaissance poet Luis de Góngora, who lived most of his life and wrote all his most important works but one in Córdoba.

The Renaissance philosopher Abraham Cohen de Herrera and the Jewish mystic Moses ben Jacob Cordovero both descended from families which lived in Córdoba before the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.

The painter Julio Romero de Torres (1874–1930).

More recently, several flamenco artists were born here as well, including

Also recently

Transport

The city is connected by high speed trains to the following Spanish cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Málaga and Zaragoza. More than 20 trains per day connect the downtown area, in 54 minutes, with Málaga María Zambrano station, which provides interchange capability to destinations along the Costa del Sol, including Málaga Airport.

Twin towns – sister cities

Córdoba is twinned with:[24]

References

  1. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, Córdoba (conventional Cordova)
  2. ^ a b "10th Century Timeline: 901 to 1000". Fsmitha.com. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Largest Cities Through History". Geography.about.com. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  4. ^ "Spain: 500 to 1200 CE". Fsmitha.com. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  5. ^ "Statistics 2011 (Spanish)". http://www.ayuncordoba.es. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  6. ^ "Neanderthals Died Out Earlier Than Thought". Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Córdoba History". Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  8. ^ J. Bradford De Long and Andrei Shleifer (October 1993), "Princes and Merchants: European City Growth before the Industrial Revolution", The Journal of Law and Economics, 36 (2), University of Chicago Press: 671–702 [678]
  9. ^ Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. ^ "Spain from the 6th to 12th Century History".
  11. ^ M. Kottek (2006). "World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated". Meteorol. Z. 15: 259–263. doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130. Retrieved 22 April 2009. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Valores climatológicos extremos. Córdoba" (in Template:Es icon). Aemet.es. Retrieved 7 January 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  13. ^ "Valores Climatológicos Normales. Córdoba / Aeropuerto".
  14. ^ "Discovery of a Roman Circus in Cordoba". Artencordoba.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  15. ^ Parque Cruz Conde[dead link]
  16. ^ El parque de La Asomadilla se inicia con la apertura de pozos, Diario Córdoba website.
  17. ^ Los Sotos de la Albolafia, Inventario de Humedales de Andalucía.
  18. ^ "Projects of Santiago Calatrava". Soloarquitectura.com. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  19. ^ Municipal Organizational of the areas of the City Council of Cordoba[dead link]
  20. ^ Organic Regulations of the plenary of the City Council of Córdoba[dead link]

    Art.° 47.- Regular Meetings.- The Plenary holds a regular meetings once a month, on the date and time is decided by agreement of the plenary (...)

  21. ^ Local governing board ofthe City Council of Córdoba[dead link], official website of the City Council of Córdoba
  22. ^ Municipal Elections 2007 in Córdoba: Cargos en la Corporación MunicipalArticle of Cordobapedia published in Castilian, GFDL license.
  23. ^ "Mayocordobes.es". Mayocordobes.es. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  24. ^ "Hermanamientos". Ayuncordoba.es. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  25. ^ "Pesquisa de Legislação Municipal - No 14471". Prefeitura da Cidade de São Paulo [Municipality of the City of São Paulo] (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 18 October 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Lei Municipal de São Paulo 14471 de 2007 WikiSource Template:Pt

Further reading

Published in the 19th century
  • Arthur de Capell Brooke (1831), "Cordova", Sketches in Spain and Morocco, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, OCLC 13783280 {{citation}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  • John Lomas, ed. (1889), "Cordova", O'Shea's Guide to Spain and Portugal (8th ed.), Edinburgh: Adam & Charles Black {{citation}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
Published in the 20th century
Published in the 21st century
  • C. Edmund Bosworth, ed. (2007). "Cordova". Historic Cities of the Islamic World. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill.