La Mancha and Cordoba

On our way to Cordoba, we stopped by the very quaint region of La Mancha, made famous by Cervantes’ Don Quixote. As can be expected, souvenir shops would have anything and everything Don Quixote and his sidekick, Sancho Panza—from the usual magnets and key chains to apparel and figurines. But more than that, La Mancha is also known for producing the finest saffron in Spain. And as it was quite expensive, the small containers of this spice were kept under lock in glass display cases, unlike the Don Quixote merchandise.

In Cordoba, we visited the Mezquita or Mosque-Cathedral, called such because the original Mosque was converted into a Cathedral after the Reconquista (where King Ferdinand conquered this Muslim stronghold).

The structure was just magnificent, with beautiful Moorish arches leading into the Renaissance Cathedral within. Countless columns representing palm trees in the oases of Syria and made of several materials (including marble and granite) filled what was the prayer room.

You would actually think you were inside a Mosque until you see the richly gilded altars and chapels along the walls and the magnificent organ leading into the nave of the Cathedral. And inside the Cathedral, you wouldn’t even see a glimpse of the Muslim structure beyond. The ceiling of the Cathedral dome was so intricately crafted that you can marvel at it for hours without regard for a stiff neck. Note that you cannot be walking and looking up at the same time or you will either be tripping or bumping into the hundreds of other tourists who have also become lost in the beauty of the architecture. The fancy woodwork of the choir area, whose artist lay buried in the middle, told stories from the Bible. And the Baroque pulpits reminded me of St. Peter’s Basilica, although not quite as grand.

Outside on the courtyard, orange and palm trees lay below the bell tower which was constructed to cover the minaret. Atop was a statue of St. Rafael, Cordoba’s patron saint and source of the name of the thousands of Rafael’s and Rafaela’s in Cordoba. Beyond the Mezquita, there were also many cafés and stores selling beautiful ceramics and glassware.

In Cordoba, one is not only treated to history and architecture, but also eating and shopping. What more can you ask for?