Cordoba - our last dance in Andalucia

So as I write this we’re on our way home, we said goodbye to Andalucia yesterday and spent last night on a campervan stop in a suburb of Madrid.  But before we move on I want to review the last week which has had many highlights while we toured around the Córdoba region.

The Puerta del Puente Arch, a striking and historically significant feature in the centre of the city of Cordoba

After the highs of Seville the week before we needed a few days rest and we spent a bit of time in a little independent site run by a couple from Holland on the edge of Ureria.  This was a lovely clean site in the middle of olive groves and as well as all the services and a lovely little swimming pool they also offered an evening meal and drinks which was a great opportunity to meet some of the other touring guests whilst enjoying someone else’s cooking!!  You know how Melle and I enjoy a chat and a drink or too!?

A little oasis of peace in the middle of the Andalusian olive groves

We then moved on to Lucena and Cabra which are in the Córdoba region and at the heart of the olive growing area.  Did you know that Spain is the highest producer of olive oil in the world (it produces a staggering 30%)?  But it’s also the world’s capital of fortified wine we know as ‘sherry’ - not that they call it that here.  And while we were visiting Lucena on a little ‘Via Verde’ bike ride we came across a bodega.  The young guy who now owns and runs it - as his family have been doing for four previous generations - he showed us around (see pics below).  Of course we had some tastings and especially liked the ‘red wine’ which is essentially a very thick and sweet mixture - Melle already has plans for Christmas pudding.  And after he informed us that his is the last Bodega in town we thought it would be rude if we didn’t buy a couple of bottles. 

Me trying to pretend I know what I’m doing - actually it tasted great and so we decided to invest

Not as big as you might imagine the bodega can just be a small winery where the grapes and the rest of the ingredients would be mixed

Cabra also looked a lovely little town but we had little time to explore more than the supermarkets and the Churerria, essentially a cafe that specialises in the dough based Churros which are delicious when dipped in chocolate.

Then onto the next city break where we were due to meet our friends Penny and Scot on Wednesday first thing.  So we went into the city on Tuesday to have a look around and come up with a plan.  It wasn’t difficult as there are lots of convenient car parks near to the old historical city centre and by the end of the week we were even staying there overnight.  Ours, by the zoo (which meant we were woken by the hungry lions - can’t think of a better alarm) was also patrolled by a nice old local in a luminous green jacket.  He offered to keep an eye on our van in exchange for a couple of euros - at least I think that’s what he said.  Tbh I couldn’t understand a word!!

Let me tell you, Córdoba is a very beautiful city and full of history and culture too.  Who knew it was once the most influential city in Europe being established by the Romans, taken over by the Visigoths and then the Moors before becoming a centre of catholic and royal Spain in the 12th to 14th centuries.  La Mezquitta, the cathedral in the centre was the largest Mosque in the world before being repurposed and extended by the Catholic Church.  Wow was a much used word on our visit there.  The way the original buildings beauty has been retained and built on is truly amazing.

A mix of moorish and Christian architecture La Mezquitta is quite something to experience

Of course we also made regular stops for coffee, cervaza, tinto verano and various tapas but also squeezed in visits to Cordobas unique ‘patio. tour’ (see pics below) and had the pleasure of seeing the original Spanish riding school demonstrate various tricks and routines at their equestrian centre right in the heart of the city.  And they threw in a bit of ‘flamenco’ dancing on the side.

The small courtyards inside would take your breath away - every year Cordoba has a festival of flowers where the patios all over the city are open to the public.  We saw just a handful on our visit - and wow they lived up to the hype! 

Most had a theme with lots of little extras and this one had a beautiful singing bird.  

We weren’t allowed to take any photos during the equestrian show so we took some by the roses afterwards!! 

Cordoba’s equestrian arena is right in the heart of the city

On the Thursday we travelled out of the city and took a visit and walk to Zuheros

 which is a small ‘white village’ on the edge of the Subbéticas National park which again was stunning and said to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain.  There seem to be lots of these in the Pueblo Blancos.

Fabulous views and despite there being a cycle path we managed to get lost on the way

Like all these towns in the hills Zuheros had an imposing castle to keep out unwanted guests.  Not us though!!

So much crammed into one week and so great to share it with friends like Penny and Scot.  Phew I’m exhausted just writing about it. 😀

So it’s farewell to Andalusia but only for now, we’ll definitely be back……

This blog was written by Chris