Alcázar of the Catholic Monarchs

You’re now standing in front of Córdoba’s Alcázar, located in the heart of the city. It’s impossible to explore the City of Three Cultures without stopping at this iconic site, where so many key moments in history unfolded. This is where the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, lived for several years as they planned the reconquest of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold in Spain. It was also here that Christopher Columbus first presented his idea of sailing west to reach the Indies. The Alcázar was originally a Moorish palace, and possibly a Roman structure before that, based on archaeological remains found on-site. After Córdoba was taken by the Catholic monarchs, they ordered the construction of this royal residence. Like the Alcázar of Seville or the Alhambra in Granada, it’s a symbol of Andalusia’s unique cultural blend. The architecture reflects nearly 800 years of Muslim rule followed by Christian reconquest, and is mainly in the Mudéjar style, a mix of Christian forms with Islamic architectural elements and techniques. It may be smaller than its famous counterparts in Seville and Granada, but it’s no less rich in history and its magnificent gardens alone are well worth a visit.