Situated on the bank of River Guadalqiver, north of Sevilla, Cordaba is one of the eight provincial capitals of Andalusia. The city was founded by the Roman praetor Claudius Marcelus in circa 169 BC and was birthplace of Seneca. The city flourished under the Arabs and on arrival of Caliphate, became the most civilized and sophisticated city of 10th century Europe.

This period has witnessed about 1000 mosque and 600 public baths and street lighting. The sophistication of the city attracted numerous intellectuals, scholars, poets, doctors and philosopher who have further enriched the art and culture of the city. However, Christians later conquered the city and this equally important legacy can still be seen today. Recently the old quarter and mosque have been declared World Heritage City.

Excursion

In the North the city of Cordobo lies between Sierra (full of unrivalled scenery, large estates and hunting ground and hunting ground for large game) and cultivated land of the Guadalquivir Valley with its picturesque village such as Montoro is worth visiting. Besides having scenic beauty the village of  Montoro  boosts of possessing San Bartolom ( 15th century church)  and Santa Maria de la Mote (12th  century church) with Roman and Visigothic traces.

You should never forget to visit other beautiful villages in Cordoba such as Hornachuelos, Villavicious etc.  The magnificent castle of Gothic-Mudijar design, which stands on top of a rock formation at Almodyar, is really worth visiting. Another amazing monument which is occupied by a hotel today is Palma del Ryo Francisco Convent (1518) that you should never forget to visit.

The wine growing villages such as Montila and Moriles steeped in tradition, history lies in the south of the valley.Baena and its Holy Week celebration, Aguilar, and its octagonal square and Espejo and its 14th century castle are other wonders of the city that are continuously attracting huge travelers from all over the world.

In the lower Andalusia in the south the villages form a community of interest to tourists and have outstanding sites such as Cabra and Priego de Cordoba, the centre of Cordoba Baroque with its Parish Church of La Asunci , the hermitage of Nuestra Sepora de las Angustias, the La Villa area of medival Arab origin and 16th EL Rey Fountain with 139 pipes and other picturesque villages such as Zuheros ( with Los Murciilagos cave) and Rute are real tourist spots that should not be missed out.

Museums in Cordoba
Your visit to Cordoba is incomplete without visiting some of the major Museums in the city. They include
Archeological Museum
Diocesan Museum of Fine Arts
Julio Romero de Torres Museum
Viana Palace
Parks and Garden
The city of Cordobo boosts of some major gardens and parks, which attracts thousands of tourist each year to the place. These gardens includes
Gardens of the Alcazar:  The specialty of this garden is that these gardens though designed by   Christians but they conserve the style of the Arab gardens. Inside you can find ponds, fountains, hedges and aromatic plants.
Gardens of La Ribera:  These garden lie alongside the Guadalquivir River and feature tiny islands, oleander, aquatic birds and old water mills.  
Other Important Gardens include
Gardens of La Merced
Paseo de la Victoria
Garden of Vallellano
Typical of Cordoba are the Patios, a small pivate courtyard that are used to be visited in May.
 
Recipes
In Cordoba, you will enjoy the dishes of great varieties from different cultures that have once settled Cordoba. Recipes like Salmorejo, lamb with honey rabo de toro (bull’s tail) served with regional wines i.e.Montilla Mories varieties followed by different sorts of pastries- pastel cordob, ‘suspiros de Almanzor etc are the specialty of this region. Cordoba has the tradition of preserving recipes from old Arab and Jewish manuscript.

Fiesta and Folklore 
Different festivals which include Semana Santa ( the Easter week), the festival of the ‘Patios Cordobeses’( a contest for most beautifully decorated courtyard Patio m) in May, Cruces de mayo and Feria de Cordobe ( festivals of Flamenco music and dance) celebrated in May attracts travelers from all over the world to Cordobo.