Articles
Stories, history, and planning essays from Córdoba (Page 4)
Long-form editorial pieces written by resident correspondents: cultural deep-dives, food traditions, and practical planning essays for visiting the city.
The 1236 Siege of Córdoba: The Night the City Fell
Sophie Marchand Updated
The full account of the 1236 Siege of Córdoba: almogávars scaling a tower in winter, Ferdinand III's forced march, and the surrender five months later.
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Córdoba's Alcázar as Inquisition HQ — 330 Years of Dark History
Sophie Marchand Updated
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos was headquarters of the alcazar cordoba inquisition for 330 years. What happened inside, and what remains visible today.
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Almanzor — The Man Who Dismantled the Caliphate From Inside
Sophie Marchand Updated
Almanzor ran Córdoba for 25 years without claiming the caliphate. Fifty-seven undefeated campaigns, the bells of Santiago, a purged library — and civil war.
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What Charles V Regretted About the Mezquita He Approved
Sophie Marchand Updated
Charles V approved inserting a Renaissance nave into Córdoba's Great Mosque in 1523, overriding local opposition. His alleged regret may be apocryphal.
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Columbus in Córdoba: The Promise He Never Kept
Sophie Marchand Updated
Beatriz Enríquez de Arana met Columbus in Córdoba in 1487, bore his son Ferdinand, and raised him alone. Columbus never married her, despite a deathbed apology.
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Cruces de Mayo: Pagan Spring Rite Turned Christian Festival
Sophie Marchand Updated
From Roman Floralia to the True Cross of Saint Helena: two millennia of religious syncretism shaped the flower-draped May crosses Córdoba celebrates today.
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Montilla-Moriles: The Wine That Named a Poe Story
Pedro Del Pozo Updated
Montilla-Moriles wine invented amontillado but can't legally use the name. The full story: the etymology, Poe's 1846 tale, and where to taste it in Córdoba.
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Why Córdoba's Patios Open for Only 14 Days a Year
María Fernanda González Updated
Córdoba's famous patios are private homes, not museums. Six hard practical reasons explain why the 14-day festival window is all residents can offer visitors.
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Medina Azahara: The Palace-City Buried for a Thousand Years
Sophie Marchand Updated
Abd al-Rahman III built a 112-hectare palace-city 8 km from Córdoba in 936 CE. Sacked in 1010, buried nine centuries, now 9% excavated. How to visit today.
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Why Córdoba Is Called Córdoba: The Name's Long Argument
Pedro Del Pozo Updated
The name Córdoba has passed through five civilisations, each leaving a phonetic trace on the word: from Iberian Corduba to Arabic Qurṭuba to Castilian Córdoba.
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Spain Travel Statistics 2026: Arrivals, Spending & Trends
María Fernanda González Updated
Spain welcomed a record 96.8M tourists in 2025. See full 2026 travel statistics: arrivals, spending, top regions, source markets, and wellness trends.
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Abd al-Rahman III: The Morning Córdoba Became a Caliphate
María Fernanda González Updated
Abd al-Rahman III was the Umayyad ruler who, on January 16, 929, declared himself Caliph of Córdoba, rivaling Baghdad and Cairo at his medieval empire's peak.
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