Califate+Route

=**__Introduction__**= The Route of the Caliphate joins the natural lowlands of the Guadalquivir River with the plain of Granada, crossing over the Sierra Subbética. It is completed with the Sierra Morena and the Sierra Nevada routes, taking you through the different types of landscapes that Al-Andalus has to offer.This route is an example of fabulous cultural, religious, political and social legacy, which represents the stay of the Muslims in the peninsula.Córdoba was constructed on the lowlands of the Guadalquivir River. Granada stands at the beginning of the Vega or plain, with the imposing Sierra Nevada mountain range on either side. Between these two cities are river terraces, mountain ranges, lagoons, and rural regions. Not to mention rivers, lush vegetation and plant life native to the area; woadwaxen bushes or //piornos//, gall oak, holm olk, kermes oak, and wild olive trees.

Villages on the route
Córdoba, Fernán Núñez, Montemayor, Aquilar de la Frontera, Espejo, Castro del Río, Montilla, Baena, Sueros, Cabra, Luque, Alcaudete, Lucena, Carcabuey, Priego de Córdoba, Castillo de Locubín, Alcalá la Real, Moclín, Colomera, Pinos Puente, Güevéjar, Cogollos Vega, Alfacar, Víznar, Granada. = = =Córdoba=

Basic Data
Distance from Granada: 174 km Altitude: 123 m Population: 320,000 Information Center: Oficina de Turismo de la Junta de Andalucia Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos Calle Torrijos 10 Palacio de Congresos E-14003 Córdoba Spain

General Info - Córdoba
Córdoba is located at the highest point of the Guadalquivir River. It was founded by the Romans, and was a major strategic trading post to bring goods back to Ancient Rome. During the Islamic Era, Córdoba became the capital of al-Andalus and reached its peak in history. During this time there were over 1000 mosques, 800 baths, developing and growing urban and economic system. Córdoba became a world heritage city, due to the major historical monuments located there. For example, the Great Mosque, The Alcazar, The Calahorra Fort, The Jewish synogague, and the El Puente Romano. It was reconquered in 1236 by the Christian kings and they kept the mosque´s interior intact because were so shocked and astounded by its beauty. The Christian kings however built a Cathedral covering the outside of the mosque.

Festivities
Córdoba has a variety of festivals during May. The Day of the Cross, from May 1-3, each person decorates crosses and they are placed in various places around the city. The festival is organized by the brotherhood and funded by donations from the various neighborhoods. Representatives of each brotherhood are then sent to judge the crosses. Another festivity is a Patio Contest which takes place in early May. People decorate their patios with elaborate and beautiful decorations. Patios are centerpieces and places of tranquility and relaxation for people in Spain. Spanish homeowners take a lot of pride in the decorations on their patios. At the end of May each year they hold a festival down on the North bank of the Guadiliquiver River. The fair lasts for 9 days. One of the best features of the fair is that most casetas in Cordoba are open to non-members. The casetas are covered areas, with their own bars, kitchens, music and dance floors set up by social clubs.

The Great Mosque of Córdoba
The mosque was built in 786, during Islamic Rule in Spain. Throughout centuries the different Moorish kings would make slight changes to the mosque, which made it today one of the most famous and largrest mosques in history. Located in the mosque are 19 aisles. Different parts of the mosque include the mihrab, sahn, qibla, Puerta del Perdón, Gate of the Orange Trees, Gate of Palms, and the maqsura. Each of these different elements include many different types of Islamic art. The Puerta del Perdón is located on the north side of the mosque and includes many different Islamic styles. For example located in the sahn (courtyard) are two typical arches the Muslims used to decorate temples, mosques, houses, and other elements of architecture, the horseshoe arch and the stilted arch. These are made of ochre stone and red brick. These materials were used because they were more readily available and cheaper in large amounts. They were also highly decorative and rich in color. In the mihrab there are Byzantine influences which is seen in the decorative marble and mosaics. The mihrab´s purpose was to point in the direction of Mecca and a place for prayer leaders. When the Christian kings reconquered they added the element of the "Catheral" to the mosque, even though it is obvious that it is a mosque. They built a main chapel in the central area of the aisles.

The Alcazar
Originally built by the Muslims but reformed and rebuilt by the Christian Kings to an Episcopal Church today. The Alcazar has undergone many changes throughout history. Christian Kings began different adding various styles of architecture to the fortress. For example, Alfonso XI, wanted to add a European Gothic style to the fortress so he built four surrounding towers, three are only standing today. Other parts of the Alcazar include the Lion Tower, Tower of Inquisition, Homage Tower, Tower of the Dove, the Royal Baths, Mosaic Hall, Moorish Patio, and the Gardens. The oldest tower is the Lion Tower and the most important tower is the Homage Tower, this is where the guards swore to keep watch over the fortress. The Tower of Dove is the tower that no longer exists today. The Moorish Patio preserved the fine Moorish architecture as shown in the use of stucco for motiffs drawn around the base of the walls. These pictures portrayed various lions and castles throughout time. Today the Alcazar´s main purpose is a municipal building not a tourist site.

The Jewish Quarter
This is one of the best known and largest world heritage centers in the world since 1984. Two major special interests in the Old Jewish Quarter are the Synagogue and Souk. Jews formed a part of Cordoba's cultural mix from as early as the 2nd Century until their expulsion from Spain in 1492. During the Muslim rule both Jews and Christians were given religious freedom and self-governing communities. During the 11th and 12th centuries the Jewish population in Spain reached its highest point of prosperity and intellectual energy coinciding with Cordoba's greatest moment in history. It was considered a seat of an independent Caliphate, that was a bright shining star during the Dark Ages. When the Caliphate fell in 1031 Córdoba began to decline in Arab as well as Jewish well-being and prosperity.Many Jews fled to Christian territories in the north of Spain or abroad. For the next 30 generations with the end of religious tolerance in Cordoba, the city's political, economic and cultural greatness evaporated. In 1315 Simon Majeb built the Synagogue which is still standing. It is one of the three significant synagogues remaining in Spain and is largely unaltered. The Synangogue has Mudejar style influence. Nearby is the Souk also known as the Zoco is a medieval version of the famed Arabic souks which used to dot the urban landscape of the Caliphate. Below the oldest houses are Roman remains, and while some of the houses are higher and increasingly modern, they respect the ancient urban layout. Along the northwest wall of the Jewish quarter is where the Mosque-Cathedral stands. In 1492 when Ferdinand and Isabel became rulers they made the Jews convert or they were exiled into other various parts of Spain and Europe. Today the jewish poopulation in Spain is very small.

Medinat al-Zahra
Medinat al-Zahra is one of the largest known cities built from scratch. Although it is a forgotten city from the Middle Ages it is full of breath-taking and rich historical palaces and monuments. It is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Abd al-Rahman III ordered the construction of this city at a time when he had just finished consolidating his political power in the Iberian Peninsula and was entering into conflict with the Fatimi dynasty for the control of North Africa. Rahman III then declared himself the true Caliph and a descendant of the Umayyad dynasty, which had been completely left behind by the Abassids since the 9 th century. Some great monuments include: the alcazar, home of Chafar, ministers´ quarters, the royal palace, and a few other preserved historical sights. The public section of the Royal Palace holds a reception hall where all the military parades and official celebrations were held. In 952 Rahman III ordered the Great Hall be built. The doorway includes 5 horseshoe arches. This hall included three central halls which were divided by two rows of seven pillars. The walls are made of marble. The magnificent white city, built in steppes into the hillside at the base of the Sierra Morena with the Caliph's palace at the highest point, was designed to be seen by his subjects and foreign ambassadors for miles. =Lucena=

Basic Data
Province: Córdoba Distance to Granada: 124 km Population: 40,020 Altitude: 485 meters Information center: Oficina de Turismo Castillo del Moral, s/n

General Info
Lucena is the second most populated city in Córdoba. Lucena today is a historical city that represents Jewish presence in southern Spain. The village is located in the south east of the province in rich cereal and olive-growing territory, near the Sierra Subbetica.Trade was a major resource for the prosperity of Lucena. During the downfall of the Caliphate Lucena became a refuge for Jews. In Lucena we find the Gothic-Renaissance church of San Mateo, from the 15th-16th centuries, with one of the most beautiful Baroque sacrariums in Andalusia. Civil buildings include the castle and old palace of Medinaceli, the house of the Count of Santa Ana, and the house of Rico de Rueda. Also, within town limits we find areas of great interest, such as the Amarga Lagoon Nature Reserve, Jarales Lagoon Nature Reserve, and Malpasillo Reservoir Nature Park.

El Moral Castle
El Moral Castle is the heart of Lucena. Originally is was a Medieval Castle. Throughout centuries the Castle has undergone many changes by the various rulers. It is a rectangular layout, protected by double walls, and has four watch towers. One of the towers is called El Moral. Here King Nazarite Boabdil el Chico was imprisoned. With the disappearance of the Kingdom of Granada, it was converted into a palace residence of the Lucena family. In the Castle today the Archaeological Museum and the Tourist Office is located.

Church of San Mateo
 Originally a synogague, when the muslims took over they built a mosque over the synagogue, and in 1240 the Christian kings built a church over the mosque. The Church of San Mateo is Gothic Renaissance. Construction began in 1503 and boasts a stunning entrance of encrusted marble in Gothic style. Inside the church there are two major structures the main alterpiece built by Bautista Vazquez the Elder and Jeronimo Hernandez. The alterpiece is Renaissance style art. The Chapel of El Sagrario an example of Baroque art which was completed in 1772. The dome of the church is a masterpiece of Pedro de Mena, Jean del Pinto, and Leonardo Antoniode Castro, all artists from Lucena.

Church of Santiago
The Church of Santiago is located on narrow streets that lead from San Mateo. Founded in 1503 by the Knight Commander of the Order of Santiago. It is built in Gothic-Mudejar style with a few Renaissance details. A monument that stands out is the image of Jesus connected to the pillar. It was rebuilt in the 18th century.

Palacio de Santa Ana
Construction begain between 1730 and 1750 by Francisco Jose Guerrero and Pedro de Mena Gutierrez. Three focal points of the palace are the two patios and the second portal. The main portal was inspired by Church of San Juan Dios. After you pass through the main portal you reach a patio directly located behind this first patio is the main patio of the palace. The patio is filled with marble columns of blue and green which give off the impression of great wealth. The first floor is filled with decorated windows. While the second floor is made up of ornate columns and balconies. The floor of the balconies includes influence of Gothic and Mudejar style art.

Festivals
There are various festivals in Lucena. There is a carnival in February. The Aracelitana Festival (Fiestas Aracelitanas), around the first Sunday in May, in honour of the village's patron saint, Maria Santisima de Araceli. Along with the Aracelitana Festival in May there is Jazz Festival. The Open-air festival (romería) celebrating the return of the statue of the patron saint to its sanctuary, first Sunday in June. In June there is also the Festival of the Municipal School of Music and Dance, The Festival of Viruta Rock, and the Fiestas en el Barrio de la Estrella. The Valley Fair (Feria del Valle), 8 to 10 September. The typical festival celebrated all over Spain the Holy Week. They celebrates Holy Week with music that derives from the flamenco tradition. Saetas are sung during the different stages of the processions, which run from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday and are led by Cofradías, religious brotherhoods from the various parishes.

Museums
There are four museums in Lucena. The Archaeological and Ethnic Museum which is located in the Castillo del Moro. Along with this there is the Museo Automoción Antigua, Centro de Interpretación, and the Casa-Museo de la Virgen.

=Priego=

Basic Data
Distance from Granada: 85 km Altitude: 651 m Population: 21,732 Information Center: Oficina de Turismo Casa Museo Alcala Zamora Rio, 33

General Info
Priego sits in the center of Andalusia in the province of Cordoba. It is encircled by the scenery of the foothills of the Sierras Subbeticas. There are monuments and remains from Iberian influence to Roman influence. It was once the headquarters for Ibn Mastana in 889, one of the principle leaders of ibn Hafsun´s muwallad rebellion. It was then under control of the Zirids of Granada and later became a city of the Almohads. Ferdinand took over the city in 1225. For 13 years in the 12th century the Nasrids took control for a brief moment until Alfonso XI finally reconquered the fort in 1340. Priego has been a part of the Aguilar family since 1370. There are many of examples of Baroque art in Priego. Some major monuments and churches are the Castle, La Villa Neighborhood, Church of La Asuncion, Church of La Aurora, Church of San Francisco, Church of San Pedro, Fuente del Rey, Fuente de la Salud, Town Hall, and many more.

The Castle
Priego had strategic location which was crucial for its defense system. The Castle was rectangular and built by the Muslims, with a Keep in the middle. During the 13th and 14th centuries the Christian made many reforms on the Castle. It has three towers, two of which are quadrangle and one is in the shape of a cylinder. The Tower of the Tribute has been a national monument since 1943. It is located off-center in the parade ground, with a height is of 30 meters. The tower is also called the Fat Tower, you can see the Nasrid influence in the windows. Along with the tower the original access built by the Muslims consists of a pointed horseshoe arch with divided windows that include marble capitals and columns in the style of Mudejar. This enables daylight to enter the Keep´s main chamber.

[[image:http://www.turismodepriego.com/fotos/Iglesia-Asuncion-01.jpg]]
Construction of the church began in 1525. It was built in Gothic-Mudejar style with three naves in the 16th century. It was Baroque style vault which was built in the 18th century. The vault is considered one of the masterpieces of Baroque art. The church is located within sight of the castle and is surrounded by the various buildings of the La Villa neighborhood. The main alterpiece is a main head-turner for the people that see it. It was finished and mounted in 1567 and was built by Juan Bautista the Elder. The alterpiece includes characteristics from the Renaissance period as well. The chapel is called El Sagrario which includes many outstanding sculptures and alterpieces. In the 17th century the numerous lateral chapels like the one of the Christ of the Grills finished in 1636 were already made, the image of the Christ is attributed to Alonso de Mena, dating towards 1635. The church also includes examples of Plateresque style in the Door of Santa Ana.

Fuente del Rey
The Fuente del Rey is a national monument which utilizes the use of 139 different sewer systems. Fuente del Rey was designed in baroque style by Remigio of the Marble, it was completed in 1803. It is made up of three different pools of various levels and forms. In the first pool there is a statue of a lion fighting a serpent, attributed to the sculptor Alvaro Cubero. In the second pool there is a sculpture of Neptune and Anfítrite that ride on a car thrown by horses that leave the water. It was built by Remigio. The water falls from the second fountain to the last pool by a cascade.

Church of San Francisco
The Church of San Francisco is located in front of where Alonso de Carmona lived. Construction began in 1515 and was reformed in the 18th century with the addition of Baroque style. In 1731 plasterwork and sculpture work by Santaella and Sanchez de Rueda began.

Church of San Pedro
Nearby the La Villa neighborhood also is where this church with a memorable alterpiece is located. The church is of a Latin cross plan built in baroque style. Construction of the church finished in 1690. The alterpiece consists of three rows divided by four columns, it was also built by the Sanchez brothers. During the 18th century the church underwent changes to the decoration. In the Chapel of the Venerable Third Order, built in 1594, pays tribute to Santa Entierro. The Chapel of the Virgin of Solitude was constructed in the middle of the 17th century, undergoing two later reforms.

La Villa Neighborhood
La Villa neighborhood is a medieval village with muslim contributions that is located on the eastern side of the Castle. It is the original center of town in Priego. It was declared a Artistically Historic in 1972. It is full of tiny cobble stone streets and small plazas. The streets are the size if you stretched your arms out you would touch both sides. Filled with white-washed walls, flowers, and stone pavements, similar to Albaicin in Granada. The streets lead towards El Adarve mirador where the old part of town ends. The balcony overlooks Andalucian landscape and cultere.

Festivals
During Holy Week there are many processions and beautiful images. A highlight is Friday morning watching the Subida de Jesus Nazareno al Calvario go by. In May there are various concerts of religious music and processions. There is a Corpus Christi procession through the La Villa neighborhood. On the third Sunday of June there is a pilgrimage of Virgen de la Cabeza to La Concepcion hamlet. In August there are various neighborhood fairs. The first five days of September is the main fair in Priego. In Mid-September there is the festivities of La Aurora y de los Dolores. The Aurora fraternity goes out of Saturday at midnight to sing to the Virgin. On the fourteenth of December the feast of San Nicasio, the local patron saint takes place.

Basic Date
Distance to Granada: 16 km Altitude: 635 m Population: 13,680 Information Center: Ayuntamiento Real, 123

General Info
Pinos Puente is located close to the Sierra Elvira mountain. A municipality of Andalucia, the history of Pinos Puente is related to two ancient settlements, Iberian-Roman llurco located on Los Infantes hills and Madinat Ilbira on the left of the road to Granada. The origin is considered a medieval farmstead. Many raids occured on the farmsteads of Pinos Puente. This is where constable Alvaro de Lunas's incursion between Mohammad I and Ferdinand III occured in 1242. In the Spring of 1492 when Columbus was searching for royal aid for his voyage east across the Atlantic Ocean. He was rejected by The Genoese first and Isabella persuaded had a change of heart and her emissaries found Columbus of the Bridge of Pinos. In 1928 Pinos was declared a "city" (municipality).

Bridge of Pinos
Dating all the way back to the 7th century, the Pinos Puente Bridge is located inside the Old City. The bridge is where the city derived its name. It dates all the way back to the Caliphate as the most well-preserved bridge of this era. Originally it was built with Visigoth foundation and then was reformed as centuries passed by various rulers. Along the bridge there is three horseshoe arches on two cutwaters. These arches face the larges rectangular arch on the bridge. When the Nasrid ruled there was a defense tower on the bridge, Al-Bikar, which was destroyed in 1431. The 18th century construction on an archway and chapel began. The chapel is built with Mudejar style influences.

Church of Consolacion
They began construction in 1631. The shape of the church is rectangular with three aisles seperated by pillars of which connect to semicircular arches. The alterpiece in the church is of Baroque style. There are also the two sculptures of San Zusimo and San Sergio. Two memorable paintings include Las Animas and La Piedad by Bocanegra.

The Three Crescent Moons
The three crescent moons date back to Roman and Iberian time. They provide Pinos Puente's irrigation system. The system consists of one big ditch that runs into multiple minor ditches. Today you can see the three crescent moons, two of which, Serfin and El Sombrerico, connect to the Cubillas River. The third crescent moon, Bucor, took water from the Velillos River, which ran up the hills and provided water to the settlement llorca. This system was later strengthened by the Muslims.

Surrounding Areas
La Calle Real is the main street in the city. Real leads to the Town Hall where the square gives a view of the Abrantes Family house built in the 18th century. There is a pleasant rural area around Pinos Puente which provides for many other pleasurable sites. These include: farmsteads, olive groves, and mills. One farmstead in particular, the Cortijo del Alitaje is a large inactive farm. There is also a old baroque style church in the plains of Pinos Puente.

Festivals
There aren't as many festivities in Pinos Puente, it being a smaller pueblo right outside of Granada. The seventeenth of April is considered a lucky day, comemmorating the discovery of America by Columbus. One month late on the seventeenth the feast of the patron saint of Pinos Puente, San Pascual Bailon, takes place. On the night of August 2nd the local fair takes place.

[|Califate Route]