The Medina Azahara, or as it is sometimes stylised, the Madinat al-Zahra, is an unsung wonder of an archeological site but it really is so much more than that.
This site was once the powerful capital of al-Andalus with a marvellous vantage point for keeping a watch across Córdoba and continues to be shrouded in mystery and romance today, from its brief but colourful 80 year existence.
Continue reading “Medina Azahara: A Guide to the Site of the Former Capital of al-Andalus”
Cádiz is a city on the coast of the wider province that goes by the same name.
Cádiz was once called Gadir by the Phoenicians and this name evolved into the Latin Gades when it was under Roman rule. This is why the people from Cádiz are known as gaditanos even now the place is known today as Cádiz.
The gaditanos hold a reputation for being the funniest people in Spain and although I didn’t find this particularly evident in the Cádiz Capital, I certainly did when I visited El Puerto de Santa María which is just across the bay and of course, is still a part of the Cádiz province.
Continue reading “Discover Cádiz: the Oldest City in Western Europe”
The Feria of Córdoba is arguably THE most important event in the calendar of this city and as it is literally and figuratively such a colourful occasion laden with history and tradition, I will warn you now this is a long but hopefully interesting post with plenty of pictures and information!
Continue reading “La Feria de Córdoba: A Week Long Celebration of Local Culture and Fiesta”
Spontaneous trips often turn out to be the best trips, ironically as you don’t have much time to plan what you are going to do with your time there!
I booked a train to El Puerto de Santa María (just under 3 hours from where I am in Córdoba) on a whim when some friends said they were going to go for our puente (bank holiday weekend but of 4 days).
As I had never been before and it is located in the province of Cádiz which I adore, I thought why not?
Continue reading “A Brief Guide to the Charming El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz”
I never tire of seeing the Alcázar of Córdoba from across the street as I’ve written several times before on this blog, it makes me feel like I’ve stepped back in history to the al-Andalus era.
Its full name, the ‘Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos’, comes from the very people who re-built the once Visigothic structure in order to commemorate Spain’s reconquest from Islam back to Christianity in the 13th century.
Continue reading “A Brief Guide to the Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos of Córdoba”
Laura Ferries Writer 