If you arrive at this post while preparing your vacation or are just outside of your flight, looking for a transfer to Córdoba from Malaga Airport can be a stressful task.
That’s why we want to offer you our services at the same time as we help you prepare your vacation days.
There is nothing better than being able to take advantage of every moment of free time, even if it’s just having coffee in a nice bar in the city of Cordoba.
What we need is for you to put your mind at rest and get carried away.
Index
Culture
History of Cordoba
Arriving in a city without knowing its history is an absurd way of not taking full advantage of the place you have come to on holiday.
So, while you’re on your transfer to Córdoba from Malaga Airport, you can sit back and relax by reading these lines that will take you years back to the beginning of the city you’re about to visit.
Roman Córdoba
The present city of Cordoba was founded by the Roman general Marco Claudio Marcelo in the year 171 B.C. and kept the same name of Corduba or “Altozano by the river” of a Turdetan village that emerged at the end of the second millennium and whose inhabitants lived from agriculture, livestock and the trade of ceramic imports and the distribution of copper from Sierra Morena.
The inhabitants of this pre-Roman settlement joined the new city, which soon became the unofficial capital of the Roman province Hispania Ulterior.
From 49 B.C. Corduba was involved in the war between Julius Caesar and Pompey until the battle of Munda in 45 gave victory to Caesar, who occupied the city after a harsh siege.
The reconstruction of the city gave way to a period of splendour under the imperial era, so that between the 1st and 4th centuries AD it became the seat of the Proconsul and the provincial assembly.
In this imperial era, the city of Corduba was surrounded by a walled enclosure, reinforced with watchtowers and in which the gates that connected the main streets to the outside were opened.
Like any other city the city had two forums, the colonial and the provincial, and large public buildings such as temples, circus, theater, amphitheater, aqueducts, hot springs, large necropolis and luxury villas.
This period was marked by urban and monumental development, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological findings.
Corduba gave the Roman Empire great men, such as the family of the Anneos, in which Lucio Anneo Seneca, philosopher and preceptor of Emperor Nero, and his nephew Marco Anneo Lucano, poet who related the struggles between Caesar and Pompey in his famous poem La Farsalia, stood out.
At the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th centuries, the last stage of Roman domination began, coinciding with the expansion of Christianity, which was greatly persecuted by the Diocleans and left many martyrs among them the Cordovan Acisclo and Victoria.
A Cordovan, Bishop Osio, adviser to Constantine – the emperor who decreed freedom of worship in favour of Christianity – presided over the Council of Nicea in 325, where he took part in the drafting of the Creed.
The transfer of the capital to Hispalis (Seville) and the invasion of the barbarians from the 5th century onwards brought bad times to Corduba after so much splendour.
In 550 the old Colonia Patricia was destroyed by the looting of Agila, but the Imperials dominated until the Visigothic conquest in 572 by Leovigildo.
A civil war of this one with his son Hermenegildo ruined and destroyed even more Corduba.
Muslim Córdoba
In the year 711 a Visigothic minority was crushed by the Arab armies and the population of Cordoba began to try a new universal destination.
Thus began, in October 711, the period of Muslim domination, which lasted 525 years and which, with the Caliphate, reached the 10th century, the period of greatest splendour of Cordoba, its golden century.
Christian Córdoba
After the Christian conquest, Cordoba was emptied of Muslims and occupied by Castilian-Leonese repopulation, who participated in the distribution of land.
Among these new settlers, the nobles stand out -usually the second nobles- who, in exchange for defending the fragile border with the neighbouring Nasrid kingdom of Granada, accumulate power and fortune and hold the first lordships granted by Fernando III.
Among those lineages, the Fernández de Córdoba, descendants of the champion Domingo Muñoz, one of the participants in the conquest of the city, stand out.
In contrast to past centuries of splendour, late medieval Cordoba has lost its historical importance and is often the scene of internal struggles between nobles to support confronted dynastic rivalries and defend or extend their privileges.
Thus, in the civil war that between 1366 and 1369 confronted the supporters of Peter the Cruel and his bastard brother Enrique de Trastámara, Cordoba’s support for the latter cost him severe reprisals from Peter I, until he was defeated in the battle of the Truth Field, at the gates of the city, which prevented him from taking Cordoba.
Monuments to visit
Art is an important aspect of every city, something you can see on our website as you travel by transfer to Córdoba from Malaga Airport and what you will find in this guide is the information you need to visit the best monuments of the city.
Imagine being able to plan your vacation just in time… What’s the better?
Mezquita de Córdoba
The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (World Heritage Site since 1984) is the most important monument in the entire Islamic West and one of the most amazing in the world.
Its history sums up the complete evolution of the Umayyad style in Spain, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of Christian construction.
The place that our Mosque, the Cathedral, occupies today seems to have been, since ancient times, dedicated to the worship of different deities. Under Visigothic domination, the basilica of San Vicente was built on the same site, on which the primitive mosque was built after part of the payment for the site.
This rectangular basilica was shared by Christians and Muslims for a time.
When the Muslim population grew, the basilica was completely acquired by Abderraman I and destroyed for the definitive construction of the first Alhama Mosque or main mosque of the city.
At present, some of the construction elements of the Visigothic building are integrated into the first section of Abderraman I.
The Great Mosque consists of two distinct areas, the courtyard or porticoed sahn, where the minaret stands (under the Renaissance tower), the only intervention of Abd al-Rahman III, and the prayer room or haram.
The interior space is arranged in a concert of columns and two-tone arches with a great chromatic effect.
There are five areas in which the enclosure is divided, each of them corresponding to the different extensions carried out.
Alcázar de los reyes cristianos
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a fortress and palace with solid walls, contains a large part of the architectural evolution of Cordoba.
Roman and Visigoth remains coexist with those of Arab origin in this majestic site, as it was a favorite place of the different rulers of the city.
When in 1236 Cordoba was conquered by Ferdinand III the Saint, the building, which was part of the old Caliphal Palace, was completely devastated.
Alfonso X the Wise began his restoration, completed during the reign of Alfonso XI.
Throughout history it has been used for many purposes, as the seat of the Holy Office (Inquisition) or prison (in the first half of the 19th century).
The visitor who for the first time glimpses this fortress is surprised by an almost rectangular construction with extensive stone walls and four towers that outline the angles (Los Leones, El Homenaje, La Inquisición and Las Palomas).
Inside, the different rooms are structured around courtyards with exotic and beautiful flowers, aromatic herbs and leafy trees.
The rooms and corridors are closed with stone Gothic domes.
Synagogue of Córdoba
Unique in Andalusia and the third best preserved medieval synagogue in Spain, the Cordoba Synagogue is located in the Jewish quarter.
Built between 1314 and 1315 according to the inscriptions found in the building, it served as a temple until the definitive Jewish expulsion.
Through the courtyard there is access to a small foyer. To the right of it are the stairs that lead to the female area. The main room opens up to the front.
It has a quadrangular floor plan and is decorated with Mudejar atauriques. The wall that supports the women’s tribune opens with three arches decorated with beautiful plasterwork.
In 1492 the Jews were expelled, and the temple was used as a hospital, later to become the chapel of San Crispín and, finally, a nursery school.
At the end of the 19th century it was declared a National Monument.
Royal Stables of Cordoba
In 1570, Philip II gave free rein to his love of horses and his project to create the pure Spanish breed.
For this purpose, he ordered the construction of the Royal Stables of Cordoba on part of the site of the Alcazar. It shares with the royal fortress the marked military character.
The Spanish horse, also known as the Andalusian horse, of Arab descent, was bred in this attractive building.
The main room, whose groin vaulted roof is supported by sandstone columns, is divided into small stables or boxes.
Medina Azahara
Medina Azahara, the sumptuous and mysterious city that Abd-al Rahman III had built at the foot of the Sierra Morena, eight kilometres from Cordobacapital, contains, even in its name, legendary stories.
The popular tradition states that, self-proclaimed Abd al-Rahman III Caliph in 929 AD, and after eight years of reign, he decided to build a palatine city in honour of his favourite, Azahara.
However, recent studies provide strong evidence of the cause that led the Caliph to found Medina Azahara.
A renewed image of the newly created, strong and powerful Independent Caliphate of the West, one of the largest medieval kingdoms in Europe, is accepted as the most likely origin of the new Medina.
The city has three terraces surrounded by a wall, with the Royal Alcazar at the top and the middle.
The lower area was reserved for houses and the mosque, built outside the walls. Historical sources point to the participation of some ten thousand people who worked daily on its construction.
Abd al-Rahman spared no effort in materials to achieve the desired effect: the insignia of the powerful kingdom he ruled.
Rich purplish and red marbles, gold and precious stones, as well as the careful craftsmanship of the best stonemasons and the legendary Bizkaia contributions, helped to raise the profile of the precious project.
Restaurants & Food
What you would eat in Cordoba
The gastronomy is an important and interesting part of our trips, discovering new flavors in a foreign country is always an adventure.
So figuring out what to try while you’re on your transfer to Córdoba from Malaga Airport may be one of your favorite moments.
The cuisine of Córdoba is so exquisite that from all over Andalusia, Cordoba is considered to be the gastronomic capital.
The cooks work hard to recover old recipes and invent new ones so that the city always keeps its place. In addition, the dishes and the ingredients with which they are prepared are top quality.
As well as the services of the restaurants where you can taste them.
The main ingredient of almost all its dishes is olive oil. The climate of Cordoba is very favourable to the city’s orchards, so the production of these has also become one of the main ingredients.
You can see this reflected in one of the specialties of Cordovan cuisine, the typical sauce of the city, Salmorejo. Almost all meals are accompanied by this gazpacho sauce.
You can’t leave Cordoba without trying it, as it will be very difficult to get it in another city. And yet if you get it it will never compare to the one prepared in its original city.
Sausages are also very common in Cordoba. The Iberian pork hams, salami and black pudding are the most popular, but in general they all have a unique quality.
The meat with which they are prepared is very tasty, especially game meat. In addition to sausages, this meat is prepared with many different recipes that result in truly exquisite dishes.
Among the typical dishes of Cordoba we find artichokes a la montillana, one of the recipes with which this vegetable is prepared, ideal for cold days.
Also with the honeyed lamb, a dish where you can taste the exquisite lamb meat prepared in the Arabian style.
The stews get the first place in the winter meals, the lamb stew, one of the most traditional recipes of the city. And the oxtail stew, one of the most popular dishes.
While you are at you transfer to Córdoba, get to know the typical dishes of this city
The Salmorejo
The best known Cordovan dish has a thousand versions: one per house and per restaurant.
It is now fashionable throughout Spain, but until a few years ago it was difficult to find a salmorejo outside of Cordoba. Never have bread, tomato, garlic, oil and salt worked so well.
In La Salmoreteca they offer a wonderful variety of salmorejos that mix with tino more varied ingredients.
Flamenquines
A dish as emblematic as the flamenquín, completely unknown outside Cordoba until ten years ago, now has its headquarters in “El Patio de Maria”, Don Rodrigo street number 7.
There you can taste a wide and creative selection of flamenquines, from the traditional to a variety of cheese and almonds.
Ajoblanco
Ajoblanco, a typical dish from Córdoba, Badajoz and Málaga, has the virtue of being lighter in the city of the Mosque. Almonds, garlic, oil, salt, vinegar and water give rise to a dish full of vitamins and flavour.
Berenjenas fritas
It looks like a simple dish but is not easy to prepare. Keeping the eggplants greaseless and crunchy has its tricks. Combined with honey or salmorejo, they are a whim of the gods.
Among all the places, we chose the aubergines from Taberna Salinas (next to the Plaza de la Corredera) where they are cut into sticks, without fat and at their point of salt.
The place, natural and lively, offers a wide variety of simple dishes: all impeccable.
Rabo de toro
Another classic dish of Cordoba, linked to the tradition of bullfighting in the city, well prepared in many restaurants in the city.
In Blason, the “little brother” of “The Red Horse”, situated between St. Nicholas and St. Hippolytus, prepares it. 11 Zorrilla Street.
Enjoy the nice weather when you just step into your transfer to Córdoba
The climate in Cordoba is warm and temperate. There is more rainfall in winter than in summer in Cordoba. According to Köppen and Geiger climate is classified as Csa.
In Cordoba, the average annual temperature is 17.8 ° C. Precipitation here averages 612 mm.
The driest month is July, with 2 mm of rain. With an average of 92 mm, the highest rainfall falls in March.
July is the warmest month of the year. The average July temperature in January is 28.2 ° C. January has the lowest average temperature of the year. It’s 9.0 degrees Celsius.
There is a difference of 90 mm of precipitation between the driest and wettest months. During the year, average temperatures vary by 19.2 ° C.
Social & Activities
Cordoba Festivities
Carnival
The Carnival of Cordoba is consolidated year after year as a very popular festival, which reaches more people every year. It begins with the traditional Gala del Sultán y la Sultana. There are also some comparsas, like in Cádiz, which rehearse all year round.
Holy Week
First of all, as in all Andalusia, in Cordoba there is also this religious and cultural celebration. In which during one week the brotherhoods go around the streets of Cordoba. Most of the brotherhoods are accompanied by musical bands, but there are also brotherhoods of silence. This festivity is celebrated in the months of March and April.
May in Cordoba
May is the great month of Cordoba. During this month the main festivities of Cordoba are celebrated.
Battle of the Flowers
The Battle of the Flowers is a parade of floats. In which the people who go inside, dressed in typical costumes, throw flowers, usually carnations, to the public. Always on May 1st.
May Crosses
Also at the beginning of May, the May Crosses are held. A festival in which crosses of about three metres are placed in the main streets and squares of Cordoba. These are totally decorated with flowers and surrounded by beautiful plants in pots. Also with traditional decorations that reflect the characters of the area, usually in the center of every cross.
The Tasting
Also from the second week onwards, the La Cata festival is held. All the Cordoba wineries meet in May in Cordoba to offer us their best wines.
Festival of the Cordovan Patios
During the second and third week of May the Festival of the Cordovan Patios is celebrated. Since 1980, this festival has been of National Tourist Interest. It is also Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since December 6, 2012.
During this festivity the participants open, free of charge, their courtyards so that visitors can see them. They are divided into two categories:
ancient architecture
modern architecture.
At the same time, the Competition of Grids and Balconies is also held.
Cordoba Fair
At the end of May is the Fair of Our Lady of Health. The best days are Friday for lighting, Wednesday for children’s day and the weekend.
Corpus Christi Day
The feast of Corpus Christi is Sunday, 63 days after the Resurrection of the Lord. In the afternoon, the 16th century Custody goes on procession. Throughout its journey around the Cathedral, slender altars are set up and rosemary is scattered on the ground.
La Fuensanta Fair
The Feria de la Fuensanta is a folkloric festival held around September 8 in honor of the Virgen de la Fuensanta, l
Rafael in Cordoba
The day of the Custodian Saint Raphael the Archangel is celebrated on October 24th. With the visit to the Basilica of the Oath of Saint Raphael and with pearls in the nearby sierra.
BOOK YOUR TRANSFER TO CORDOBA HERE!
You can book your transfer to Cordoba in the link bellow, also you can get more information regarding the city and what to do.
