The palace that bears witness to centuries of power shifts

King Alfonso XI of Castile ordered the construction of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos in 1328, on part of the site that once held a Visigothic fortress. The Umayyads, who established themselves in Córdoba after the Visigoths, were responsible for the construction of the original Alcazar, which became the official residence and seat of power of Al-Andalus. The Alcazar was expanded during the Umayyad period, with baths, gardens, and the largest library in the West. Watermills on the nearby Guadalquivir powered water lifting to irrigate the extensive gardens. Today, the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos stands as a symbol of Córdoba's fascinating history, a living testament to the coexistence of two cultures: the Islamic and the Christian. Visitors can explore its magnificent gardens and courtyards, with their Mudéjar influence.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons