Ross

Hello! <BR> <BR>I will be spending 3 days in Sevilla soon. Is it worth spending one of those days as a day-trip to Cordoba? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Kathleen

Hi Ross, <BR> <BR>The Mezquita in Cordoba is definitely <BR>worth seeing. We took the AVE, the bullet train, from Sevilla. It took about 45 minutes each way ... much faster than driving. I actually wish that we had had more time to spend in Cordoba. We arrived, took a cab to the Mezquita, visited it, got in a cab and took the train back to Sevilla. It worked out well since we were able to spend the evening wandering the streets of the Barrio de Santa Cruz and being absolutely enchanted by each new little <BR>playa that we stumbled across. <BR> <BR>The Mezquita is absolutely unique, a structure that started as a Roman temple, served as a church for the Visigoths, a mosque for the Moors, and is now a cathedral. The combination of <BR>archetictural styles is amazing and the forest of pillars and double arches erected by the Moors is stunning. <BR> <BR>So, I don't know about spending a whole day visiting Cordoba ... but it was certainly worth the half day that we spent to see the Mezquita. The little bit of Cordoba that we saw looked charming, and my next trip I want to spend a couple of days there. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip! And don't miss the <BR>Maria Luisa park in Sevilla! <BR> <BR>Kathleen

Marija

Definitely see the Mezquita. A word of warning, however. If you go to Cordoba on a Sunday or holiday you may well find the town absolutely mobbed. Don't panic. The people aren't there to see the Mezquita but to hang out in Cordoba. Unlike the Alhambra, getting into the Mezquita involves no lines. We arrived midday on a Sunday when the Mezquita was closed and I was terrified that all of the throngs of people were going to line up to try to buy tickets and get inside once it reopened. We actually went back to the train station to exchange our tickets for a later train. Once the ticket booth opened there were no lines, entry was quick and painless. Don't miss the Mezquita!

cheryl

How far is the Mesquita from the train station? Do you really have to take a cab, it's not walking distance? How about the Alcazar, how far is it from the train station, from the Mesquita? Thanks.

Maribel

I would say do take a cab (as we do) from the train station either to the Plaza de Maimonides , the heart of the Juderia area (in front of the NH Amistad Hotel, for example) for a stroll through the tiny, narrow, twisting streets filled with brillantly whitewashed houses and a peek into Cordoba's only surviving synagogue (closed Sun-Mon) on Calle Judios, or go directly to the Mezquita itself then stroll in the Jewish quarter afterwards. It's a short and inexpensive cab ride (5-7 min.), but it would be at least a 20 min walk, I think. The Renfe station is located in the modern section of the city, off the busy Avenida de America, and the temperature really can soar in Cordoba, particularly in the summer, when it becomes a literal frying pan, and a looong walk just isn't pleasant. The Alcazar is in the same area as the Mezquita, just a short walk away. While strolling through the Juderia, you'll unfortunately be visually assaulted by a souk like atmosphere of tacky souvenir stores, one after the other, that quickly gets old, but there are plenty of delightful side streets where you can get lost and take refuge from the souvenir bazaar. Remember to walk up to Cordoba's most famous little alleyway, the Calleja de las Flores, close to the Mezquita's northeast corner (anyone can point you in the direction). Its whitewashed houses are bedecked with geranium pots covering every available space, and it's very pretty in spring/early summer, plus from its little plaza you can snap that quintessential picture postcard view of the bell tower of the Mezquita perfectly framed in the distance-the view you'll see in all the postcards of the city. A great photo op. And if you go in early May (first 2 weeks) during the Patio Festival, scores of patios in this quarter throw open their elegant wrought iron gates to the public; they are quite lavishly decorated with gorgeous azulejos (mosaic tiles), central fountains, Moorish style lamps, altars or images of saints, flowering jasmine and lemon trees. Some are quite elaborate, and the most beautifully decorated one wins a prestigious prize during this yearly event.<BR>As the other posters have assured you, there are no lines to enter the Mezquita, and the quick trip on the AVE is a snap. You could even make a stop in Cordoba on your way to or from Madrid on the Ave. We made a 5 hr. stop last July on a Sun, which was time enough for a stroll through the Juderia, a visit to the Mezquita and gardens of the Alcazar and a leisurely lunch at our favorite restaurant/tapas bar, the friendly, welcoming "Taberna Casa Pepe", which was filled with large groups of Cordoban families. Really creative food in a lovely patio setting and fabulous desserts. <BR>Have fun!<BR>

chris

I don't usually like guided tours but thanks tofriend's suggestion I did for the Mezquita. I would have been impressed visually but wait til you hear the explanation on its ongoing construction/reconstruction-boggles the mind!In the Courtyard of Orange trees w/fountain there's a tower you can go up and get a great view of Cordoba.