MEDINA AZAHARA

Medina Azahara is one of the incredible places to see in Cordoba, Spain which was once the capital of the caliphate and its ruins now stand as a testament to this period in history. While it may have been destroyed over 1000 years ago, its ruins are nonetheless still an impressive sight to behold. The building complex was designed as a vision of paradise with dazzling domes and intricate tile work.

Medina Azahara was built in the first decade of the 10th century by Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III, and quickly became an impressive display of art and architecture. Visiting Medina Azahara is a must for those who are interested in Islamic history and culture as it offers many Cordoba attractions to explore. The city was designed to be a model for urban design and featured numerous buildings like a great mosque, palaces, baths and gardens, making it one of Spain’s most important archaeological sites.

The building complex was designed as a vision of paradise with dazzling domes and intricate tile work. The caliph spared no expense in constructing its gardens and sumptuous buildings for it was meant to be the perfect representation of paradise that could be seen by his subjects. There are still so many interesting artefacts to be discovered here, from fragments of pottery and sculptures to mosaics and other unique pieces of art created during this time period.

Highlights

• Dating back to the 10th century, today Medina Azahara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an exciting place to explore for those interested in Spanish history and culture.
• Explore the ruins which show evidence of masterful engineering, intricate architecture and beautiful ornamentation - features carried over from Moorish Córdoba- offering visitors a stunning glimpse into its golden past as a centre for politics, economy and culture during al-Andalus' golden era.
• Discover this historic heritage in all its glory from a fortress of exquisite beauty to an emblem of Spain’s Moorish past.
• Learn about the glorious past of Cordoba from the several artefacts present here such as sculptures or carvings made by ancient ancient artisans.