Moorish Spain Part 1

So, about time I recount my Spanish holiday before it is all forgotten!

Having booked our cooking course, we decided to travel around a bit.

First we picked up our car and headed for the small city of Cordoba.

The city was very important in medieval times as a centre for Islamic learning when the Moors ruled Spain.

We decided to hire apartments in Spain, through airbnb.com. Here was our traditional apartment in Cordoba

 

The entrance was from a pretty courtyard, meaning that it was quiet from all the street noise. 

Alas we arrived on a rainy Sunday evening.

 

The place was pretty deserted.

 

 Apart from a few people hurrying to evening mass.

Us hardy Brits weren't to be stopped: we had a nice little wander of the town. 

We then ducked into a restaurant recommended by our host. I feasted on olives, and tuna.

The next day dawned much brighter, and we grabbed huge croissant and coffee in the local cafe.

But what was this strange breakfast ingredient in the jar?

 

Cordoba is full of little alleys and streets which were fun to explore.

But our real aim was to visit the Mezquita: the old mosque. The old courtyard and belltower still remain.

 

Inside the Mezquita there is a magnificent prayer hall, full of columns and arches. 

The mihrab: where Muslims face Mecca to pray.

 

Alas, since the time of the inquisition the Catholic Church took it for their own a slapped a big church in the centre of it.

  

The point where mosque becomes cathedral.

Thankfully they chose not to destroy it. However, the catholic church has clung to the building ever since, and barely recognise its history at all.

A real pity in a city once known for its religious freedoms and acceptance.

All this history made us peckish for some lunch. We feasted on tapas  nearby.

After lunch we wandered the historic streets some more, did some tourist shopping and admired the orange trees.

That evening we found a traditional wine cellar for Spanish feast of white gazpacho, eggs and fish stew.

Day 3

What? Rain again?! This is supposed to be Southern Spain.

Time to leave Cordoba for our cooking course, but we took a detour to the old city of Medina Azahara.

It was built just outside Cordoba as the new capital, but alas lasted less than 100 years. 

The rain got a bit much for even us hardy Scottish dwellers, so we headed for our next stop, and for cooking!