Jardines del Alc谩zar (The Gardens of the Alcazar), Cordoba
Back in the 10th century, Abd ar-Rahman III decided C贸rdoba could use a touch of hydraulic flair. He built an aqueduct, installed a working noria (waterwheel), and laid out gardens and orchards that thrived under a clever irrigation system fed by the Guadalquivir River.
Moving forward to the 16th century and Queen Isabella, for reasons lost to history鈥攑erhaps the creaking annoyed her鈥攐rdered the waterwheel to stop. Without its lifeline, the gardens faded into decline. By the 20th century, what remained was little more than a ghost of its former self, until a major renovation revived the space. The new layout, trimmed by road construction, was smaller than the original, but still grand enough to make an impression.
Today, the gardens spread over 55,000 square meters of palm, cypress, orange, and lemon trees, threaded with elegant fountains and reflective ponds. They unfold across three tiers: the upper level sits beside the Tower of Lions, the middle boasts a sweeping staircase flanked by two vast pools, and the lower spreads out with three more pools, tightly clipped greenery, and the Promenade of Kings.
Here, statues of Christopher Columbus and his royal backers, Ferdinand II and Isabella, stand in stone conversation, a reminder that these grounds have seen everything from Moorish engineering to imperial ambition.
Moving forward to the 16th century and Queen Isabella, for reasons lost to history鈥攑erhaps the creaking annoyed her鈥攐rdered the waterwheel to stop. Without its lifeline, the gardens faded into decline. By the 20th century, what remained was little more than a ghost of its former self, until a major renovation revived the space. The new layout, trimmed by road construction, was smaller than the original, but still grand enough to make an impression.
Today, the gardens spread over 55,000 square meters of palm, cypress, orange, and lemon trees, threaded with elegant fountains and reflective ponds. They unfold across three tiers: the upper level sits beside the Tower of Lions, the middle boasts a sweeping staircase flanked by two vast pools, and the lower spreads out with three more pools, tightly clipped greenery, and the Promenade of Kings.
Here, statues of Christopher Columbus and his royal backers, Ferdinand II and Isabella, stand in stone conversation, a reminder that these grounds have seen everything from Moorish engineering to imperial ambition.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cordoba. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Jardines del Alc谩zar (The Gardens of the Alcazar) on Map
Sight Name: Jardines del Alc谩zar (The Gardens of the Alcazar)
Sight Location: Cordoba, Spain (See walking tours in Cordoba)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cordoba, Spain (See walking tours in Cordoba)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cordoba, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Cordoba
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cordoba is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cordoba Introduction Walking Tour
C贸rdoba treats history like a sculptor treats marble鈥攍ayered, chiseled, and ever revealing something new. Situated in Andalusia, this city has seen empires rise, and its story spans over 2,200 years. Originally named Qart Juba by the Carthaginians, it was refounded in 206 BC by the Romans as Corduba. As the capital of the province Hispania Ulterior, it had to prove its reputation by having its... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Cordoba Jewish Quarter Walk
The Juder铆a de C贸rdoba is the area in C贸rdoba that was once densely populated by the Jews, between the 10th and the 15th centuries. Back then, it was a time when three world religions 鈥� Christianity, Judaism, and Islam 鈥� coexisted in C贸rdoba, although not always peacefully. Attesting to that today are the major religious shrines found in the area, like the Synagogue, the Mosque-Cathedral... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.4 Km or 0.2 Miles
Ancient Roman Sites Walking Tour
Under all in Cordoba lies a once redoubtable Roman strongpoint. After Scipio's defeat of the Carthaginians in Llipa, the victorious Romans set up camp by the Guadalquivir River.
Under Augustus, the city gained the status of Colonia Patricia. A perimeter wall was built touching the Guadalquivir River. There were two forums, colonial and provincial. A large amphitheater has been uncovered.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Under Augustus, the city gained the status of Colonia Patricia. A perimeter wall was built touching the Guadalquivir River. There were two forums, colonial and provincial. A large amphitheater has been uncovered.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles