November 22, 2011 – TUESDAY
- 19:30 – Water, Light and Sound Show at the Castle of the Christian Monarchs (Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos)
Address: PLAZA CAMPO SANTO DE LOS MÁRTIRES
Point A in the map: Hotel Córdoba Center (place of conference)
Point B in the map: Castle of the Christian Monarchs
Time by walking: around 25 minutes
- 20:30 – Welcome Reception at the Monumental Royal Stables (Caballerizas Reales)
Address: CALLE CABALLERIZAS REALES, 1
Point A in the map: Hotel Córdoba Center (place of conference)
Point C in the map: Monumental Royal Stables
Time by walking: around 25 minutes
Map of the itinerary for Tuesday: Google Maps and PDF file.
Cordoba, the light of Cultures – Water, Light and Sound Show at the Castle of the Christian Monarchs (Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos)
It is the option to get to know the Castle of the Christian Monarchs in a completely different, totally spectacular way. What are you waiting for?
The Alcazar of Cordoba Water, Light and Sound Show is a night-time tour through the history and culture of Cordoba in the incomparable setting of the Castle of the Christian Monarchs gardens and supported by the most advanced techniques of lighting, projection and sound to accompany the water from the gardens fountains and ponds, with its graceful shapes and surprising effects that will accompany the visitor throughout the tour.
Welcome Reception at the Monumental Royal Stables (Caballerizas Reales)
The Royal Stables in Cordoba were founded in the year 1570 by a royal decree of Felipe II, who was a great lover of horses. He launched this project to create the Andalusian Horse (Pure Spanish Thoroughbred), one of the greatest breeds of horse ever to exist, for his own use and for use all over the world.
What was at first simply a royal wish ended up being one of the greatest and best-loved of Felipe II’s projects. The Spanish thoroughbred was a very popular riding horse and soon became a striking symbol of the Spanish empire.
Nowadays, the horses return to their origins, the city of Cordoba which was their birthplace. A real delight for all the family, in the stunning setting of the monumental Royal Stables in Cordoba.
November 23, 2011 – WEDNESDAY
- 19:30 – Visit to the Mosque Cathedral (Mezquita Catedral)
Address: C/TORRIJOS-CARDENAL HERRERO-MAGISTRAL GONZÁLEZ FRANCÉS-CORREGIDOR LUIS DE LA CERDA
Point A in the map: Hotel Center (place of conference)
Point B in the map: Mosque Cathedral
Time by walking: around 25 minutes
- 20:30 – Gala Dinner at Bodegas Campos
Address: CALLE LINEROS, 32
Point A in the map: Hotel Center (place of conference)
Point C in the map: Monumental Royal Stables
Time by walking: around 25 minutes
Map of the itinerary for Wednesday: Google Maps and PDF file.
Mosque-Cathedral
The Cathedral of Cordoba, the former Mosque, is arguably the most significant monument in the whole of the western Moslem World and one of the most amazing buildings in the world in its own right. The complete evolution of the Omeyan style in Spain can be seen in its different sections, as well as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles of the Christian part.
The site which the Mosque-Cathedral occupies has been used for the worship of different divinities since ancient times. Under the rule of the Visigoths, the Basilica of San Vicente occupied this very site, and later, after the Moslems bought part of the plot of land, a primitive Mosque was built. The basilica was rectangular in shape, and for a while was shared by Christians and Moslems. As the Moslem population increased, the ruler Abderraman I acquired the whole site and demolished the basilica to make way for the first Alhama (main) Mosque in the city. Some of the original building materials from the Visigothic basilica can still be seen in the first section of the Mosque built by Abderraman I.
The great Mosque is made up of two distinct areas, the courtyard or sahn, with its porticos (the only part built by Abd al- Rahman III), where the minaret stands – nowadays, encased in the Renaissance tower – and the prayer hall, or haram. The area inside is made up of a forest of columns with a harmonious colour scheme of red and white arches. The five separate areas of the Mosque correspond to each of the five extensions carried out.
Gala Dinner at Bodegas Campos
Bodegas Campos Restaurant is located in an important collection of historic homes in Córdoba, at least three of which are dated before 1706. Among the peculiarities of the house, highlighting the typical patios, Visigothic capitals, swaths of interior oak barrels signed by famous visitors, and a rich collection of bullfighting posters decorate the walls. The conservation of these examples of popular architecture for future generations is a major concern of the winery today.
Bodegas Campos has a menu of dishes specializing in traditional Cordoba cuisine and based primarily on the simplicity and quality ingredients together with a touch of innovation. It is the ideal setting for all kinds of family celebrations, conferences, receptions and cocktails, as it retains the flavor of the traditional buildings of Cordoba, with white lime, beautiful courtyards and a rich collection of original bullfighting posters.