Location: Seville, Spain

Seville is a beautiful city made famous for its wealth as the riches of the Spanish American colonies came thru its port, but I bypassed it and visited the old city of Cordoba, which was a 90-minute bus ride away. I have wanted to visit Cordoba since I learned about its architectural history when I was in college.

We entered the old city walls, which are still impressive, and I enjoyed the fruit and palm trees just inside.

Like many old sites, the Mosque-Cathedral occupies the same grounds as earlier places of worship. Seems there are ruins of (at least) Roman and Visigoth shrine discovered below the current building. The bell tower is built around the old minaret.

Within the courtyard many of the walls are richly carved.

As is common with such historic structures, the Mosque-Cathedral was expanded and updated many times over the centuries. Our guide told us there is some disagreement on why the builders used the distinctive stone (yellow) and brick (red) mixed arches – either protection from earthquakes or that it just looked cool.

After the Moors were expelled in the 13th Century the mosque was changed into a cathedral. However, our guide said so many locals loved the existing design it was kept. I understand why.

During the Renaissance a nave was inserted in the middle of the pre-existing building.

Afterwards we walked thru the Jewish Quarter in the old town and visited an old synagogue.

Cordoba is lovely and I could have easily spent the whole day there. But we had to return to the ship in Seville.

Next: Flamenco!