Impressions of Andalusia, Spain
Yes, of course, there is a constant association of Andalusia with the fabulous heritage of the mezquita of Córdoba and the Alhambra in Granada and with gazpacho, sherry and Serrano ham. But there is so much more. The arched alleys of Arcos de la Frontera, a walk under Ronda's Puente Viejo down to the ancient Hammam, a hike in the monumental limestone canyon of El Torcal, the discovery of Roman archaeology in Bolonia and a promenade along the ocean front in Cádiz. Andalusia has it all. Even the three main cities are quite different from one another: visits to cosmopolitan Sevilla, provincial and cosy Córdoba and proud historical Granada are all memorable yet incomparable experiences. So, serve yourself a dry sherry, and travel with us through the magic of Andalusia.
Before visiting the place of your choice:
Slightly to the West of Córdoba an entirely new city was founded in 936, a few years after Abd-al-Rahman III had proclaimed himself Caliph of the Umayyads, breaking loose from the Caliphate of Damascus. The Medina al Zahra was designed in three terraces within fortified walls, each terrace with a specific function, ceremonial and administrative, an plateau of gardens and pavilions and a public area with markets, mosques and residential structures. Berber invasions led to the fracture of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba in 1031, which augured also the end of the Medina al Zahra. After a construction period of 25 years and 65 years as a living city, the Medina was destroyed and abandoned, for archaeologists of today to be rediscovered. As to this, there is still quite a bit of work to be done: one estimates that not much more than 10% of the Medina has so far been brought back to surface.
