As promised…Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

So I promised in one of my posts, while on a high from my little adventure, that I would write an individual blog on the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos for you. And, seeing as I hate to disappoint, here it is! I only hope that my words manage to do it the justice that it deserves. However, if they fail, as I´m sure they will, then the slideshow at the end should do the trick! So sit back, relax and enjoy your trip! 🙂

 The Alcázar is one of the most important monuments in Córdoba. Why you might ask, well the answer is simple really! The Alcázar is one of the only buildings here in Córdoba that retains fragments from practically all cultures that have passed through here from the Roman period to present day. It is a great representation of each of the cultures and provides an interesting insight into how Córdoba has been moulded into the beautiful historic city it is today.

Even before I entered the grounds I knew I was going to be blown away by what lay before me. The grounds outside the main entrance are beautiful, especially as they are set against the beautiful sandstone main walls and entrance. As you go through the main gates you are greeted not only by several european flags and friendly staff members but also by the prestigious sculpture of King Alfonso x el Sabio, wonderful! Located just behind him is the entrance to the main Gallery which is situated in the main building between the two towers; La torre del homenaje and la torre de los leones.

Located on the first floor of this building is the salón de los mosaicos. The salón de los mosaicos is home to the most beautiful mosaic artwork which was extracted from the Corridera and brought here to be put on display. During the period of Roman rule here in Córdoba the Corridera was home to the Roman circus and the mosaic artwork that can be found in this room dates back to this period. On the ground floor you can explore the once famous royal baths and take a wander through the Morisco patio which leads you to my favourite part of the Alcazar; the gardens.

It has to be said the gardens are magnificent. They manage to capture the true splendor of the Califal period and in my opinion put the botanical gardens to shame! We all know I enjoyed the botanical gardens but seriously they weren´t a patch on this perfectly manicured piece of heaven! I have no words to describe just how beautiful they are but all I will say is it´s the perfect place to go to relax and lose yourself in beauty!

In summing up, the Alcazar is well worth a visit whether you´re interested in history, culture, architecture or gardens there is definitely something there for everyone and for all ages! It´s a historical gem which reflects the positive aspects of each culture that resided there! It has also been the home to many important events like in 1486 when Christopher Columbus had his first audience with the monarchs Elizabeth and Ferdinand before he was granted permission to set sail and discover America!

As I expected, my words fail to capture just how great the Alcázar is. So I leave you now with a photo slideshow in the hope that my photos will capture what my feeble words failed to express!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

As always Thank you for Reading and I hope you´ve had a fantastic Sunday!

Giana xoxo