The Lonely Planet, one of the publishers specialising in tourist guides, have carried out multiple surveys putting a total of 15 World Heritage Cities in Spain head to head to discover which is the most beautiful of them all. Do you agree with the winning choice?
Santiago de Compostela, Tarragona, Ibiza, Cuenca, Baeza, Úbeda, Córdoba, Mérida, Cáceres, Toledo, Salamanca, Ávila, Alcalá de Henares, Segovia and San Cristóbal de la Laguna were the cities that participated in the surveys and the contest...
Although the decision was difficult given the architectural, cultural or historical level that all the aforementioned cities meet, in the end, it was Córdoba that won first place, beating Toledo, in second.
Córdoba is, without a doubt, one of the compulsory visits within the national territory. Its vast historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, and it is no wonder. In it, buildings and monuments, both religious and civil, as well as sculptures, walls, temples, bridges and gardens form a perfect route that attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Within this city, the Mosque of Córdoba stands out, which, together with the Roman Bridge, constitutes the main symbol of this territory, one of the oldest in Europe. Therefore, the first obligatory visit is the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba itself, where you can contemplate the complete evolution of the Umayyad style in Spain, in addition to the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of Christian construction.
Together with this monument, both the river and the Puerta del Puente and the Roman Bridge of Córdoba itself, form a picture and a landscape that none of the visitors can miss. The bridge was built during the 1st century BC although several renovations have been carried out throughout history, the most recent being that of 1876.
After passing the Roman Bridge, the visitor comes across the Torre de la Calahorra in Córdoba, which used to control and defend the city. This tower has been mentioned in some Arab source on al-Andalus, and in numerous historical references from the Christian conquest to the present day. Its architecture does not leave anyone indifferent either.
On the other hand, the Alcázar de Los Reyes Cristianos is another recommended visit. It is a fortress and palace, where Roman and Visigoth remains coexist with those of Arab origin. It was during the time of King Alfonso X the Wise when the restoration of this building began and was completed during the reign of Alfonso XI. In addition, we cannot forget the great beauty of its gardens.
Near Córdoba, Medina Azahara was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2018. It is the city that Abd-al Rahman III had built on the slopes of Sierra Morena, just eight kilometres from Córdoba capital. Legend has it that Abd al-Rahman III, caliph in 929 AD, decided to build a palatine city in honour of his favourite daughter Azahara.
