The historic city of Córdoba stands on the impressive Guadalquivir River in the province of Andalucia in Southern Spain. Because of its prime river location, it was founded by the Romans as a port and used to ship olive oil, wine and wheat back to their homeland. It is now a medium sized, modern city with an old quarter which contains a great number of impressive architectural reminders of when Córdoba was the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba that governed almost all of the Iberian Peninsula.

Cordoba is very well connected to the other Andalucian capitals with the high speed train (AVE) and an extensive railway network linking it to all the big cities, including Madrid and Seville. Inside the city there is a large network of buses and taxis which enable you to reach most destinations in a matter of minutes.

As well as being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, Cordoba is a candidate for European Capital of Culture in 2016. If you take a stroll through the historic quarter of Cordoba you will discover a beautiful network of small streets, alleys, squares and whitewashed courtyards arranged around the large medieval Mosque-Cathedral.

The Cathedral and Mosque form a unique architectural space as during the Reconquest it was decided that a Gothic-style cathedral would be built inside the mosque. Plateresque and Baroque elements have since been introduced so that barrel vaults and Baroque ornaments sit amongst geometric motifs and verses from the Koran.

Another Muslim-Hispanic legacy is the Jewish Quarter which runs from the mosque to the city walls and Almodovar Gate. It comprises a network of narrow streets with whitewashed façades decorated with tiles and grilles. The Plazuela de las Flores, House of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia and only synagogue in Cordoba can all be found in this area.

The city of Cordoba is organised around numerous squares with the Plazas del Potro, de Corredera and de Capuchinos just three outstanding examples.
Cordoba offers some exceptional art, culture and leisure facilities. There are numerous cultural events that are organised here throughout the year including Flamenco festivals, concerts, ballet and other activities that are complemented by an exciting nightlife.

As well as all the attractions offered by the city, Cordoba is a great place to visit for nature lovers. The parks of Sierra de Cárdenas in Los Pedroches and Montoro, the Hornachuelos Sierra and Sierras Subbéticas give you the opportunity of trying out a wide range of outdoor sports, while enjoying the natural wealth of this province. There are a large number of hiking routes and areas where you can go climbing, potholing, mountain biking and paragliding. The Guadalquivir River with its spectacular tributaries and dams provide the ideal setting for angling. Golf enthusiasts are well catered for with excellent