Salmorejo is a highly recommended cold tomato soup dish when on a trip to Cordoba, Spain.  Early versions of salmorejo trace back to before the main ingredient tomato was brought to Spain.  Before the arrival of tomatoes, salmorejo was made with all of the current ingredients except for tomato and was called “salmorejo blanco” due to its white color.  Only after Christopher Columbus brought tomatoes to Spain from Latin America is when the salmorejo became the dish as we know it today.  The ingredients for this famous soup are tomatoes, bread crumbs, olive oil, salt, vinegar, hard boiled egg, and garlic.  Not only is this a delicious soup to have, it is also a very healthy dish that is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.  Salmorejo is a delicious and healthy soup that is a “must have” when you’re hungry in Cordoba, Spain.

When visiting Cordoba there are many historic landmarks for history majors to visit.  One of the best historic landmarks in Cordoba is the Alcazar of Christian Monarchs, or better known as the Alcazar of Cordoba.  

This landmark dates back to when Spain was called Hispania under the Roman Empire, where they used the area as a place of settlement and fortification.  When the Visigoths and Moors arrived they also used it for the same purpose, while also using it as a military center.  In 1236 the city of Cordoba was captured by Ferdinand III, converting it under Christian rule.  In the same year at the south corner of the fortress a palace residence was planned to be built, but did not commence construction.  Under Alfonso XI in 1328, the king expanded the fortress to give it a more luxurious look, frequently being called “Alcazar of the Christian Kings”.  Not until 1359 was it officially called its frequently used name, where the current layout of the alcazar and underground moorish style baths was established.  Early 15th century was when the current architecture was built through renovations by Henry IV and the dynasty Trastamára.  In these renovations the main attractions of the alcazar were constructed such as the gardens, pools, and fountains.  The renovations use of water was heavily influenced by Moorish culture, which highlighted the time period in Spain called convivencia where the of the major Abrahamic religions coexisted with one another.  In the late 15th century Cordoba became a political center by the fortress becoming a residence for Castilian monarchs, becoming a place to plan the reconquest of Spain, also being the place where the plans for the Inquisition initiated.  Also in the 2nd half of the 15th century, Christopher Columbus laid out his plans to Ferdinand and Isabella for his route to India.  Shortly after the Inquisition it was given its name “Court of the Holy Office” which held that name until 1821.  After the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries it did not hold a lot of significance in Spain, operating as a jail.  In 1931 it became a historical landmark in Cordoba, undergoing renovations to fix its dilapidated buildings and gardens in 1955.  Today it stands as a main attraction to tourists who come to see the beautiful gardens, roman sarcophaguses, ancient artifacts, marvelous fountains, and brilliant architecture. 

Craving a sweet treat, but also looking for a yummy savoury snack while you roam the city of Cordoba, Spain? Why not relax while you enjoy one of the most traditional meals the city has to offer. Satisfy your cravings with Berenjenas con miel, eggplant with honey.

This dish consists of sliced eggplants dipped in a batter and fried until crunchy, then drizzled with thick, dark molasses, and finally topped with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Some dished will coat the eggplants in honey, but traditionally in Cordoba, the eggplant is coated in molasses, which actually dates back to the Moorish influence on Spain for any history lovers interested.

Spain’s history consists of thousands of years of countries trying to conquer its territory. One thing that was always left behind by each new invader was the gift of food. Berenjenas con Miel was a dish that the Moors introduced to Cordoba during the 700 years they ruled the Iberian Peninsula.

Berenjenas con Miel is usually served as a tapas, which is a small savoury dish served before the main dish. This dish is very popular and it is a great meal to eat if you are trying to really get to know Cordoba. What better way to learn about Spain is there than to eat the delicious foods that have been good enough to last 529 years? NOTHING!!

This dish is so popular I guaranty you will be able to find it in almost any Cordovan restaurant. Some may prefer to stay at home and make Berenjenas con Miel themselves, but nothing will be able to match the true authentic dish that has been made in Cordoba for centuries. So save yourself the hassle of trying to make it at home and come on over to Spain and relax while we bring the dish to you.

Just finished watching a famous Cordovan bullfight and need a delicious meal?
Easy! Cordoba has many restaurants surrounding the Plaza de Toros (the bull
ring) that offer their own unique recipe on Spanish Rabo de Toro. Follow traditions
and find yourself one of Cordoba’s most traditional meals.

Rabo de Toro is a slow-cooked stew with the main ingredient of cow or oxtail.
The stew is a delicious mixture of Spanish spices and fall-off-the-bone meat
infused with red wine, garlic, and thyme aromas. Although there can be many
variations to the dish, usually it consists of tomatoes, onions, peppers,
carrots, meat broth, red wine, flower, various spices, olive oil, and salt.

Rabo de Toro not only is infused with rich flavor but also in history. This
traditional meal is rooted in the city of Cordoba, the land of flamenco
dancing, endless sunshine, white towns, and most importantly, bullfighting.
Rabo de Toro dates back all the way to the 16^th century when the tails
used to be taken off bulls killed in the bullfights and used for the stew. This
meal became an elegant and aristocratic dish.

It takes a special talent to be able to cook Rabo de Toro correctly, a
talent that can only be found in Cordoba. Oxtail or cow tail is usually bony,
fatty, and tough, but once it is cooked to perfection, no one can resist the
tender meat that nearly dissolves in your mouth.

Here is a link to how to make the delicious dish at home, but I promise you, you will never be able to find a better-tasting meal than in the heart of Cordoba, Spain itself.

Not far from the city center of Cordoba, just around 14 miles to be exact, lies a medieval castle, the Castillo de Almodóvar, looking over the Guadalquivir Valley. The castle grounds themselves have history dating back further than the currently standing structure, with evidence of a Roman fortress lying in the same grounds as the current castle, which was built in the mid-8th century. The castle was originally under Moorish control before being taken over by Fernando III, claiming it as land for the Christians as part of Reconquista, a historically significant part of the Holy War period in the Middle Ages. Thanks to restorations undertaken in the early 20th century, the castle is still in tact, and can still be seen from afar.

Similar to the Roman bridge in Cordoba, this structure has an extremely similar pop culture link: Game of Thrones. The set of a dungeon in Casterly Rock was made in the castle itself. The structure as a whole was used as a House Tyrell structure called Highgarden. Both of these settings appear in Season 7 of HBO’s Game of Thrones. The castle features an exhibit dedicated to the scenes from the show, featuring original costumes from the production, offering both guided and non-guided tours, for the new tourist or the experienced scholar.

The building shows an interesting shift that was present in the 14th century, from Moorish architecture to Christian or Spanish style construction. This shift began at the end of Reconquista, following the Castilian victory at Grenada.

Seeing as the city of Cordoba is positioned along Guadalquivir river, it is unsurprising that there are multiple bridges that cross the body of water. One of these is the Roman Bridge of Cordoba, an 820 foot long bridge built during the times of Hispania, Roman-occupied Spain. The bridge has always been an important part of the history of the city, being built during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The Moors later expanded the bridge, during the time of Al Andaluz. The bridge is an always-accessible tourist attraction that can be walked any time, day or night. The bridge is also conveniently located near several other prominent locations in Cordoba, such as the Mezquita Mosque and Cathedral and the Royal Fortress of Cordoba. In 2006, it was decided that the bridge would be pedestrianized, allowing for both locals and visitors to enjoy its beauty. This bridge is also the subject of a bit of pop-culture history, as it showed up in the HBO show Game of Thrones, along with another historical Cordoba location, the Castillo Almodovar del Rio. The bridge has also gone under restoration in the past decade or so to repair centuries of damage. The most recent addition to the bridge came many years before this though, in the form of a statue of Saint Raphael, placed in the 17th century in the middle of the old bridge. A tower is positioned at each end of the bridge, with one of the towers being a recreation, allowing visitors to see what parts of the bridge’s surrounding architecture looked like in days gone by.

Need a little “me time” when the day has been hard? As a professor tending to students, especially abroad, can be a hassle and make you want to turn to sweets for comfort after a long day. Well, have I got the sweet treat for you. A dish called “Pastel Cordobes” is a traditional Spanish dish that is also traditionally deceiving. It looks like a slice of delicious apple pie at first glance or looks, but it is actually deceiving one’s eyes. It is a cake topped with cinnamon and sugar, but instead of pie or another fruit filling, it is filled with squash. This legendary dessert history goes way back into Cordoba’s history and can scarcely be found anywhere else. So scarce in fact, it is very difficult to find a recipe for this certain dish in English or in full detail. Here is a recipe to make this wonderful Spanish delicacy.

 Who would not want to see a remarkable piece of architectural history? Students will love to see the place they learned about in class rather than just pictures on Google Maps or in a classroom. After all, this article talks about the actual and fantastic Mezquita Cathedral de Córdoba. It was built long ago and has a rich history spanning its different uses from a Mosque to a Cathedral. As you probably already know, if you are a scholar or professor, it was initially built as a temple for the Roman god Janus. Prince Abd al-Rahman I then transformed the then temple into a Mosque when he arrived. After Prince Abd al-Rahman, other Muslim rulers implemented multiple new features. Some new additions to the building are the hypostyle prayer hall and an orange grove that’s seeds derived from Damascus. The rule of Muslims ended when Ferdinand III took power of Cordoba in 1236 for the Reconquista. He added his own Christian twist by turning this famous Mosque into a church and building The Royal Chapel. This temple turned mosque turned church still has certain elements pertaining to each part of its multiple uses from its Roman god worship to Christian God worship.

Here is a link to the official site if you and your class would like to tour this magnificent place in Córdoba. The website might be in Spanish (so if you have trouble, there should be a place to translate from Spanish to English in the top right corner menu if needed).

Do you need a delicious dish that makes the mouth water and have a break from all the wonderful sights and sounds of Spain? I have the perfect meal and dish for students who want a flavorful Cordoba, Spanish experience in especially in the first time visiting Spain. It has many ingredients that add flavor and delight to the Spanish experience. The dish is pork marinated in various spices including but not limited to “cumin, oregano, coriander, turmeric, paprika, nutmeg, cayenne, peppercorn, and cinnamon, but each shopkeeper adds their secret ingredients and make the blend their own.” The dish is said to have Moorish (African Muslim) origins or descent, but since Muslims could not and can not actually eat pork this delicious work dish is said to be an edification from one made with lamb. Here is the link to an article with the recipe for this classic Spanish pork dish.