Spanish courses in Seville

Our Cultural Activities
Tour of Cordoba

Córdoba, situated in southern Spain, half way between Seville and Granada, has one of Spain’s richest historical heritages. In Roman times Córdoba was an important city: The roman writer Seneca was born in Cordoba and we have the magnificent Roman bridge “Puente Romano de Cordoba” across the Guadalquivir River.

During the Islamic period Cordoba became the most important cultural and political center in the whole Islamic world from east to west. Cordoba’s population reached one million: the largest city in Europe at the time.

Just consider La Mezquita/Catedral and Medina Azahara Palace, constructed during the Omeya dynasty with the Abderraman I-III kings. This was a great period for culture and science: the Jewish philosopher and doctor Maimonides (1135-1204), the Arabic scientist Averroes (1126-1198) and the poet Ibn Hazam (994-1064).

We invite you to visit:

• Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
• Hospital del Cardenal Salazar - Facultad de Filosofía y Letras.
• Medina Azahara.
• Mezquita-Catedral.
• Murallas de la ciudad.
• Puente Romano Sinagoga.
• Torre de la Calahorra.
• Torre de la Malmuerta.
• Triunfo de San Rafael.

In the Córdoba region we find important historical towns that treasure architectural wonders. Baroque reached its finest expressions in this region: visit the churches in Lucena, Priego and Cabra.

Cordoba is the most highly reputed olive oil producing area in Spain. Here you can see how virgin olive oil “aceite de oliva virgen” is produced. Visit Baena y Puente Genil.

The wineries of Montilla Moriles are famous because of the sherry wine produced here: “Amontillado” and  “oloroso” have an exquisite bouquet. The cuisine of the Cordoba region is recommended as the best example of the Mediterranean diet, where olive oil and vegetables play a major role: We strongly recommend that all of our students try Salmorejo, a typical dish from Cordoba that, for us, represents the best example of Mediterranean cuisine.

This cold dish is made with plenty of fresh tomatoes, fresh green pepper, bread crumbs, plenty of garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar from the region, some water and salt to taste, all finely mashed and blended together into a thick soup. Allow a couple of hours for it to cool in the fridge. You can serve it with fruit, grapes or diced melon on top. Some people also like to add a few small bits of jamon Serrano de bellota.

So we have three important reasons to visit Córdoba: Art, history and gastronomy. A beautiful, quiet city still not much visited by mass tourism. Let’s go to Cordoba.

Recommended restaurants in Cordoba:

• Caballo Rojo, Cardenal Herrero, 28.
• El churrasco.
• Bodegas Campos, Los Lineros, 32.
• Casa Pedro, Puente Genil in the Cordoba region (50 kms) countryside gastronomy.
• La Rueda, Puente Genil-La Mina. (Best Samorejo in the World).