Cordoba's hour of greatest glory was when it became the capital of the Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus, and this was when work began on the Great Mosque, becoming one of the largest in all of Islam.
When the Christians reconquered the city in 1236, the city's new rulers were so awed by its beauty that they left it standing, building their cathedral in the midst of its rows of arches and columns, creating the extraordinary church-mosque we see today.
€ 95
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MADRID became Spain's capital simply through its geographical position at the centre of Iberia. When Philip II moved the seat of government here in 1561 his aim was to create a symbol of the unification and centralization of the country... There may be fe
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Seville certainly is one of the most beloved places by visitors to Spain. Although today Moorish influence is architectonically most evident - Andalusia was occupied by Moors for about 800 years - it has been a cultural center long before. The fertility of this land and its favorised climate with mild winters and about 3000 hours of sun per year made Phoenicians and Carthaginians settle here. Later came Romans, like almost to any place in Europe, and two of their emperors, Trajan and Hadrian, in fact were born here.
Also lateron Seville was the home of famous and infamous figures of history, the legendary "Don Juan" started from here to conquer the hearts of women across all Europe, while Columbus started from a port close to Seville to discover a new world. Prosper Merimée's "Carmen", who couldn't make her decision between the officer Don José and the bullfighter Escamillo - the consequences you can watch still today in opera houses - was a worker in Seville's old tobacco factory. By the way, this factory serves today as University, a fact that might give you a glimpse on Andalusian talent for improvisation. Some highlights are the Real Alcázar, THe minaret of La Giralda, Puente de Isabel II and much more..
€ 115
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Toledo is one of Spain's most magnificent historical monuments. It's an intact medieval city of narrow winding streets perched on a small hill above the Río Tajo. The city is crammed with fascinating museums, galleries, churches and castles. Unfortunately
€ 45
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