Cordoba History Facts and Timeline

(Cordoba, Andalucia, Spain)

Cordoba is a city that is architecturally fascinating and rich in history. In parts, it is distinctly cosmopolitan, with as much hustle and bustle as Madrid. It is also one of Spain's cultural capitals. Indeed, the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

Above all, though, Cordoba is a shining example of an Andalucian city. You only have to stroll the tapas bars of an evening, witness a flamenco performance or admire the whitewashed houses and cobbled streets to realise that you are at the heart of what is a typically southern Spanish province.

History shows how Cordoba started off as a bustling Roman metropolis. Founded in 152 BC, it was named as the capital of Hispania Baetica. Today, there are reminders of the elegance of the Roman era. One of the most prominent is the Roman bridge that crosses the River Guadalquivir.

Abandoned by the Romans

In the 5th century, however, Cordoba was abandoned by its Roman rulers. Their civilisation quickly faded, once elegant buildings crumbled and what was left of the city fell to the advancing hordes of Vandals and Visigoths.

In 756 AD, the city came under the control of Abd ar-Rahman I of Damascus. Under his rule, Cordoba came to play a critical role in the newly dominated Moorish Spain. Abd ar-Rahman went on to build the Mezquita. Under his successors, the city's mosque became ever more elaborate, as did the city itself.

A City of Wealth and Opulence

By the time al-Hakam II came to the throne in the 10th century, Cordoba had become one of the largest and wealthiest of European cities. Indeed, it is said to have outshone Byzantium and Baghdad. It even had streets that were paved, and boasted luxurious villas and public baths. Cordoba also became a centre of learning. The library of al-Hakam II is thought to have amounted to 400,000 books.

Unfortunately, Cordoba's power did not last for much longer and the city disintegrated during the 11th century as the result of internal friction. It remained a Moorish city until the arrival of Ferdinand, King of Castile and León in 1236. From that day on, the city became a Christian centre. From the 13th century, convents, monasteries and churches were built here in an attempt to remove all Moorish influences in the city. This included the building of a Christian cathedral in the centre of the city's Grand Mosque.

A Time of Decay

One of the most notable figures in Cordoba history is Christopher Columbus, who in 1486, came here to ask for royal permission to lead an expedition to the Indies. His plea was successful, although the project did not get off the ground until May 1492.

After the Middle Ages, Cordoba became something of a backwater. Its buildings were allowed to decay and there was little industry in the city. It was only properly rediscovered in the 19th century, when European travellers came here in search of history and architectural gems.

Modern-Day History

Today, this is a bustling city of some 350,000 people. It is the capital of the province of Cordoba, and is situated at the heart of Spain's Andalucia region. Whilst tourism has played a huge role in the city since the 1960s, it has also become a centre for olive groves and vineyards.

Most tourists tend not to venture far from the Old City district, an area that surrounds the Mezquita. Characterised by its maze of narrow alleys and streets, it is bordered to the south by the River Guadalquivir. North-west of the Mezquita is the Jewish Quarter. Its streets and buildings have a distinctly Moorish influence. North of the Old City is Cordoba's modern district, which is centred around the Avenida del America and the Plaza de las Tendillas.