La “Mezquita”
The most beautiful and original building of all Spain.
This Mezquita initiated the so-called Califal style, which combined Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Syrian and Persian elements and was the starting-point of all Arabian-Hispanic architecture of the centuries to come, up to the Mudéjar-style of Arabians living in the Spain reconquered by Christians.
Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos
The Palace of the Christian Kings, built in 1328 by Alfonso XI, was residence until the reconquest of Granada. Here was kept prisoner the Moorish caliph Boabdil. In the interior of the palace there are remarkable Arabian baths, Roman mosaics and a sarcophagus of of marble from 3rd century. Originally there were four towers at the corners of the Alcazar, three of which can be seen still today: the Torre de Los Leones, the oldest, which forms the entrance to the palace, the octagonal Torre del Homenajeand the round Torre del Rio. The fourth tower, Torre de la Vela, was destroyed in 19th century.
At the Eastern limit of the gardens there are fortification-walls and the Door of Seville, with a monument to the poet Ibn Hazm, .
La Judería
Here you can find one of the few synagogues existing today in Spain, this one built in 1315. Close to it there is the Bullfight-Museum. In the Zoco you can find traditional artisany and, in summer, watch Flamenco performances. More attractions are the Chapel of San Bartolomé in Gothic-Mudejar style, the Casa del Indiano and the 11th century minarets which today form part of Iglesia de San Juan and Convento de Santa Clara, respectively. In Calle de Comedias there are old Arabian baths.
Museums
Archaeological Museum: Inside of an Renaissance palace and specially interesting for the old-iberian Lion of Nueva Cartella, the Roman Head of Drusus, the visigothic Treasure of Donjimeno and the Arabian Bronce-Stag of Medina Azahara.
The Museum of Arts, in the interior of the old Hospital de la Caridad de los Reyes Católicos, has an important collection of paintings and sculptures, of Zurbarán, Murillo, Goya, Sorolla and Mateo Inurria among others.
The Museum of Julio Romero de Torres is dedicated to this painter, who is known specially for his pictures of the Woman from Cordoba.
The Palace of Viana has an extraordinary collection of furniture, tapestries, porcelains, ceramics and paintings and a cynegetic library of 7000 volumes. The building itself impresses with its 14 courtyards and beautiful gardens.
Other intereted museums
Municipal Taurino 957 201 056
Arqueológico 957 474 011
Mezquita 957 470 512
Medina Azahara 957 329 130
Municipal Cabra 957 520 110
Histórico de Cañete 957 183 708
Histórico Doña Mencia 957 676 020
Posada del Moro Torrecampo 957 155 001
Fundación Prasa 957 155 004
