Province
and Villages - Cordoba - Guadalquivir
Córdoba information
The Shores of the Guadalquivir
The Guadalquivir runs through the province of Córdoba
from east to west and divides it clearly into two parts, the
Sierra Morena mountain range to the north and the flat countryside,
"campiña", to the south. The river winds
through delightful villages, frequently passing from mountainous
areas to "campiña". Montoro is a good example.
The river there, which is crossed by a Renaissance bridge,
gently meanders through and which are overshadowed by the
tower of San Bartolomé which in turn overlooks the
Square of Spain in the heart of the town with its impressive
buildings, including the present town-hall.
The river defines the territory and on both sides there are
many villages - Villa del Río, Almodóvar del
Río, Palma del Río and so on -; and surprises,
such as the modern mosque in Pedro Abad where, of course,
there is also no lack of interesting churches like the Asunción.
Very close by we find El Carpio which has a solid tower overlooking
the compact gathering of white houses. Having passed through
Córdoba, the river runs close to the most important
Arabic runs in Andalusia, those of the Palace Medina Azhara.
At some six kilometres from the capital, there are remains
of what was once a lavish palace built by Abderramán
III. There are also delightful views of Córdoba city
and the river valley which can be seen froom the hermitages
on the lower foothills of the immediate mountain range.
Almodóvar del Río, near the capital and Breña
reservoir, conserves an impressive castle of Gothic-Mudéjar
desgin and Arabic origin which is in very good condition.
In Posadas we can admire the parish church of Nuestra Señora
de las Flores and to conclude, bordering the province of Seville,
Palma del Río which boasts three kilometres of well-conserved
old city walls and slender towered churches, such as that
of the Asunción. From Palma del Río, we can
see the convent of San Francisco which is today not only a
church but also a guest-house and restaurant. Among orange
groves, next to Palma, the river Guadalquivir and Genil unite.
The Genil is the other large river of Andalusia which passes
through localities in Cordoba such as Puente Genil, a lively
well-looked after town which has lovely parish churches such
as that of Jesús Nazareno. This is the home of quince
jelly and is also famous for its unusual Semana Santa and
its own permanent museum.
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