The Roman Bridge
250 meters (820 ft.) long and based on 16 ancient Roman foundations, the Roman Bridge majestically spans over the Guadalquivir river just in front of the famous Mezquita Mosque.
As many constructions in Cordoba, the Roman bridge has a long lasting history to tell. Built under the command of the Roman emperor Augustus, the Moors in 918 extended the bridge to the state in which it appears today. At all times this bridge was of enormous significance for the city. Once part of an important Roman commercial and military route, the bridge played a key role in medieval times, when people protected their city against attacks of Peter the Cruel. Today, thousands of tourists are promenading on the bridge as they are heading to the Calahorra tower or backward to the old quarter.
In the middle of the bridge there can be found a statue of San Rafael, the patron of Cordoba. The statue was created in 1651. Many Cordobans make a short stop here for a prayer or to set a candle alight.
(Córdoba, 2009)
Fernando III el Santo
"HIC JACET ILLUSTRISSIMUS REX FERRANDUS CASTELLAE, ET TOLETI, LEGIONIS, GALLECIAE, SIVILLIAE, CORDUVAE, MURCIAE, ET JAENI. CONSTANTISSIMUS,JUSTISSIMUS, STRENUISSIMUS, DETENTISSIMUS, LIBERALISSIMUS, PACIENTISSIMUS, PIISSIMUS, HUMILLISSIMUS IN TIMORE, ET SERVITIO DEI EFICACISSIMUS. QUI CONTRIVIT, ET EXTERMINAVIT PENITUS HOSTIUM SUORUM PROTERVIAM, QUI SUBLIMAVIT, ET EXALTAVIT OMNES AMICOS SUOS, QUI CIVITATEM HISPALENSEM , QUAE CAPUT EST, ET METROPOLIS TOTIUS HISPANIAE DE MANIBUS ERIPUIT PAGANORUM, ET CULTUI RESTITUIT CHRISTIANO: UBI SOLVENS NATURAE DEBITUM TRANSMIGRAVIT ULTIMA DIE MAII, ANNO AB INCARNATIONE DOMINI MILLESIMO DUCENTISIMO QUINCUAGESIMO II"
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El epitafio de Fernando III el Santo escrito en lengua romance dice así:"AQUI YACE EL MUY ONRADO HERNANDO SEÑOR DE CASTIELLA, E DE TOLEDO, E DE LEON, E DE GALICIA, DE SEVILLA, DE CORDOVA, DE MURCIA, DE JAHEN, EL QUE CONQUISSO TODA ESPAÑA, EL MAS LEAL, EL MAS VERDADERO, EL MAS FRANCO, EL MAS ESFORZADO, EL MAS APUESTO, EL MAS GRANADO, EL MAS SOFRIDO, EL MAS HOMILDOSO, EL QUE MAS TEMIE A DIOS, EL QUE MAS LE FAZIE SERVICIO, EL QUE QUEBRANTO E DESTRUYO A TODOS SUS ENEMIGOS, EL QUE ALZO E ONRO TODOS SUS AMIGOS, E CONQUISSO LA CIUDAD DE SEVILLA, QUE ES CABEZA DE TODA ESPANYA, E PASSO EN EL POSTRIMERO DIA DE MAYO, EN LA ERA DE MIL E CC E NOVENTA"
(Córdoba 2009)
The perfect Garden
The Fortress of the Christian Monarchs is one of Cordoba’s major landmarks. Built in the 8th century as caliphate residence, this complex of buildings and gardens had reached major significance during the Middle Ages, when Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella had been residing there for eight years. The Alcázar is a composition of massive fortress and royal palace. The Alcázar leaves behind a changeful history. After the palace buildings in their actual appearance were erected by Alfonso XI in 1328, the Alcázar was the site where the monarchs held court for as many as 160 years. The Alcázar is the place where Ferdinand and Isabella welcomed Christopher Columbus who explained his plans to find a westbound sea route to India. Later, during inquisition times, the fortress became a forum and was used as civil and military jail. In 1931, the municipality declared the fortress a historic architectural monument. Since 1984, the Royal Fortress has been world cultural heritage. The fortress houses several remarkable ancient artifacts, including Roman sarcophaguses from the third century and tessellations from the second century. These treasures are on display in the fortress’ halls. However, the major attraction of the Royal Fortress are its magnificent backyard gardens. Beautiful fountains, bassins and well-cut hedges give evidence of advanced Moorish horticulture experience which was taken over by their Christian followers. The entire fortress is encircled by massive walls with four towers: Lion’s Tower, River Tower, Homenaje Tower and Vela Tower.
( Córdoba 2009 February)
Paseo por la Mezquita
La Mezquita Catedral de Córdoba es uno de los monumentos más importantes de la arquitectura hispano-musulmana. Fue la tercera mezquita más grande del mundo, por detrás de las de Casablanca y La Meca pero su importancia artística, ya desde su construcción, era conocida en todo el Oriente y el Occidente.
Cordoba Semilla de la Tolerancia, donde convivieron Arabes, Cristianos y judios.
