5 October 2019: Constantina to Cordoba (65 miles-148 total)

Route

After a simple breakfast at our hotel, we left about 9:30 for the 18 mile downhill run back to Lora del Rio. Then we turned west, following the ups and downs of the river that drains this entire region. At one time, ocean-going ships could navigate this river. Vikings raided Seville but probably not Cordoba:
The Viking raid on Seville, then part of the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba, took place in 844. After raiding the coasts of what are now Spain and Portugal, a Viking fleet arrived in Seville through the Guadalquivir on 25 September, and took the city on 1 or 3 October.

We found the 65 miles challenging, primarily due to the heat in the afternoon. Road traffic was surprisingly moderate and the bike trail into Cordoba was a pleasant surprise. John expertly lead us through the old city street maze of Cordoba during the peak afternoon sidewalk restaurant scene. Our hotel was a 7 minute walk from the Mesquite-Cathedral and Alcazar. No one had much interest in an inside tour, so we walked about both and onto the river bridge.

Major cities are difficult for cycling, so Robin and I booked tomorrow's hotel in Bujalance.

Posted Cycling Routes. We welcome these signs and thank motorists for being courteous.

Once we turned west in the river valley, we rode through miles of orchards (citrus and fruit trees), cotton, and row crops that had been harvested.

Looking for a coffee stop, we discovered that this was a retirement community with no obvious stores or shops. Michael barely escaped. Here, Robin is about to turn and flee.

This hilltop citadel was Moorish, now restored. From a distance, roads spiraled up clockwise.

John and Robin depart our Cordoba hotel. The white towel on the balcony marks our room and a local ordinance violation. Yes, I was the guilty party. I have hung various items outside to dry for years, but Robin says he has seen similar ordinances elsewhere. Maybe it's an anti cyclist measure.

This Dog of the Day was searching for food and ignoring everyone. Total focus.

Horse of the Day drawing an admiring crowd. Note the padded shoes for the stone streets.

The Mezquita (Mosque) dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its zenith under a new emir, Abd ar-Rahman III who was one of the great rulers of Islamic history. At this time Córdoba was the largest, most prosperous cities of Europe, outshining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendour.

Moorish Entrance Designs. Repurposed from mosque to cathedral, they now share the title:

Today the Mezquita de Cordoba (Cordoba Mosque) as it is comonly known (or the Cordoba Cathedral as it was know by its owners the Catholic church) can be visited throughout the year. Following a dispute between the church and the city over the name of the building in the 2010's it is now diplomatically called "Cordoba Mosque Cathedral".

Angels Column

Every city seems to have a victory arch. This one leads to the river bridge.

The Roman bridge of Córdoba is a bridge in the historic centre of Córdoba, Andalusia, southern Spain, originally built in the early 1st century BC across the Guadalquivir river, though it has been reconstructed at various times since. 

Inactive Mill Wheel

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, also known as the Alcázar of Córdoba, is a medieval alcázar located in the historic centre of Córdoba, next to the Guadalquivir River and near the Grand Mosque. The fortress served as one of the primary residences of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon.

Jewish Hotel, located in the Jewish quarter. John and Michael managed to find the synagogue.  Córdoba Synagogue is a historic edifice in the Jewish Quarter of Córdoba, Spain, built in 1315. The synagogue's small size points to it having possibly been the private synagogue of a wealthy man. It is also possible that Córdoba's complex of buildings was a yeshivah, kollel, or study hall.

Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos,