First founded by the Romans, it was a point of great strategic importance and a supplier of olive oil, wine and wheat for the empire. It flourished as the capital of the Moorish kingdom, and it was at that time that the Mezquita - the Moorish Mosque - was built. The third biggest mosque in the world and one of the most remarkable architectural monuments in Spain, it represents the Caliphal style combining Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Syrian and Persian influences, characteristic of Arabian-Hispanic architecture. When the Christians reconquered Cordoba in the 13th c., the mosque was transformed into a cathedral, and Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance elements were added. The Mezquita reflected the splendour of Cordoba as Europe's most prosperous city of the 10th Century, playing a leading role in science, culture and arts. It was also an admirable example of tolerance and the peaceful coexistence of three religions - Jews, Muslims and Christians - for centuries.

Another important site is the 14th- century Castle of the Christian Kings (the Alcazar) where you can see magnificent Arabian baths, Roman mosaics and splendid gardens with ponds, fountains and fragrant flowers. The old city walls still stand, and so does the imposing Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir.

You can feel the atmosphere of Andalusia if you stroll in the Medieval Jewish quarter (La Juderia) which was the home of brilliant minds such as Seneca, Averroes and Maimonides. Its narrow winding streets are lined with courtyards overflowing with flowers, and dotted by picturesque small squares. The Jewish Quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in it stands one of the three significant synagogues still standing in Spain.