Medina Azahara 
10km/6mi west of Córdoba, reached by way of C 431 and a secondary road which in 8km/5mi goes off on the right, stands Medina Azahara, a palace-town built by Abderrahman III from 936 onwards and named after his favorite wife Zahara which is said to have been large enough to house 30,000 people. In 1010 it was destroyed by the Almoravids and thereafter used as a quarry of building material; as a result it is now largely in ruins.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
Things to See
Almodovar del Rio
15km/9mi beyond Medina Azahara on C 431 is Almodóvar del Río, in the valley of the Guadalquivir, with an imposing castle on a hill above the town. The castle is reached by driving around the town and climbing a steep footpath.
Palace of Abd ar-Rahman
The Medina Azahara, situated on a hill, was surrounded by terraced gardens. Some impression of its splendor can be gained from the partly rebuilt Palace of Abd ar-Rahman with its arched columns and its walls covered with reliefs, as well as the town-gate facing Córdoba. Finds from Medina Azahara can be seen in the site museum and in the Archeological Museum in Córdoba.
San Jeronimo
A short distance away from Medina Azahara, above the Moorish town can be found the ruins of the monastery of San Jerónimo, situated at the foot of the Sierra de Córdoba. Built in 1408 the monastery was often visited by Isabella the Catholic. In 1492, after the Moors had been driven out of Granada she left captured standards to the monastery for safe keeping.
Hours
May 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Open | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
September 16 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Open | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Epiphany (3 Kings' Day ) - Christian (January 6)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Constitution Day - Spain (December 6)
Epiphany (3 Kings' Day ) - Christian (January 6)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Constitution Day - Spain (December 6)
Disabled
Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
