During the Christian Reconquista, Cordoba was recaptured by King Ferdinand III of Castile in 1236 AD. This put Cordoba under Christian control. Not long after this, the Great Mosque (now Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba) was converted to a Cathedral for Christians. This marked a turning point in the religious state of Cordoba, shifting from the long period of Muslim rule to a Christian based state. This cathedral is known by many throughout the world to this day and is a very prominent and architecturally significant part of Spain and Cordoba’s history.

Muslims and Jews remained in Cordoba for a time after this capture, however this changed in 1492 AD when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella issued the Alhambra decree, declaring all Jews to be removed from their kingdoms. This was part of their campaign to make Spain completely catholic, rooted in deep power from the church. Not long after this, Muslims were also ordered to leave the city or convert to Christianity. After this, the city declined and was no longer the intellectual hub it once was.

When Napoleon invaded Spain and began his conquest for power, he sacked Cordoba during the Peninsular War, causing major damage. He was later forced out after the Battle of Bailen in 1808 AD, which marked a major turning point in the war. After being forced out, there were a series of civil wars in Spain, however Cordoba never saw much direct action. No major battles were fought, and it remained a very religious city.

During Francisco Franco’s rise to power in Spain, Cordoba was one of the first cities to come under his rule. They were under strict dictatorship and had little to no political say at this time. Cordoba was also slow to modernize versus other cities in Spain, especially because under Franco agriculture was the main part of their economy. Under Franco, the city was very poor and many starved to death which was similar to what other areas in Spain were experiencing at this time. After Franco’s death and Spain moved to democracy, Cordoba transitioned along with the rest of Spain. With the creation of The Spanish Constitution of 1978, Cordoba became a part of the autonomous community of Andalusia. The city has now accepted its heritage and embraced its diverse beginnings from all religions including Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Cordoba is known for its historic sites, such as La Mezquita-Catedral de Cordoba (The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba) and The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (Castle of the Christian Monarchs). It is also known for the Fiesta de Los Patios, which is a festival during the Spring where people decorate their patios and open them up to visitors and tourists. This specific event is meant to show the communal living style, where people come together to share food, drink, and traditional Flamenco style music. Each patio is usually decorated to show a specific theme, and it is another way for the people of Cordoba to show off their skill in design and their heritage.