What to visit in the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a great wonder of Córdoba
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is one of the best monuments to visit in Córdoba. The best known is the Mosque-Cathedral but we also consider it essential to visit this complex located a few meters from the most famous in the city.
It is a fortification with beautiful gardens that was built in 1328 by order of King Alfonso XI of Castile in the same place where the Caliphal Palace was located, although previously there were also Roman and Visigothic constructions.
The Catholic Monarchs lived there for 8 years when they tried to conquer the Kingdom of Granada and important historical figures such as Christopher Columbus have passed through it.
What to see in the Alcázar of the Christian Kings of Córdoba
The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is located inside a great wall with an almost square shape in which we find 4 towers in each of its corners. Each of these towers has a great charm and we recommend seeing them from all angles.
Some of these towers can be climbed, such as the Tower of the Lions, with a square floor plan and which is the one that leads to the interior if you visit the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos. From it you have spectacular views of the gardens of the monument as well as the rest of the city, including the Mosque and the Roman Bridge.
Walking along the wall you can reach the Torre del Homenaje and enter the interior of the building to continue the visit.
On this visit you will be able to see the Hall of Mosaics, with mosaics from the Plaza de la Corredera after various excavations carried out in it. They even have a pagan sarcophagus from the 3rd century too.
The next point of interest of the visit to the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is perhaps the most interesting. We are talking about the Royal Baths, built in 1328 for the mistress of Alfonso XI, a Sevillian named Leonor de Guzmán, with whom she had 10 children. It is decorated in Mudejar style and follows the structure of the Arab baths of the time.
Inside the building you can also admire several patios such as the Patio de las Mujeres and the Patio Morisco. The latter with an exceptional decoration that will not leave you indifferent.
Later we can go out and visit the fantastic gardens, where the fountains and ponds are the main protagonists. In them we can also admire numerous specimens of orange trees, palm trees or cypresses and you can take a pleasant and quiet walk enjoying one of the most charming places to visit in Córdoba.
The statue of the Catholic Monarchs with Christopher Columbus also stands out, completing the rest of the Christian kings who are also represented in the gardens in the form of a statue.
You can find more information on the official website of the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos.
