Daniel Rathbone – Technology, Travel & Adventure

Although I'm only posting this now, I was in Cordoba over March 27 and 28, 2010.

I like the idea that you can find a never-ending wealth of experience almost anywhere, such as a small town, past its prime, with all its history behind it. If this is true, and not mere romanticism, then a good place to test it is Cordoba, with its interesting, but limited, attractions.

Cordoba's history reaches back into the ancient world. Its heyday, however, was during the middle ages, when it was the capital of an islamic caliphate and one of the largest cities in the world.

Alas, I didn't stick around to chase my romantic ideas. I spent only two days and one night in the city. Knowing my time was limited, I went straight to the heart – the famous Mezquita. This fascinating building was originally one of the world's finest mosques. After the Christians chased the Moors out of Iberia, the determined to make this building their own — they literally built a cathedral in its center. To date the place retains the character of both religions, and is filled with interesting artifacts.

That evening I sought out Cordoba's second claim to fame – oxtail stew. Delicious!

In the morning, before a long bus ride to Seville, I went running to stretch my legs. My run was interrupted. Instead of the quite peace of a sleepy city I heard the piercing, proud sound of Spanish horns. In the place of the lonely narrow streets I had notices the day before, I found a crowd, standing, waiting, watching the Nazarenos pass. It was a parade! Spain's holy week had begun.