Parador Cordoba

Hotel La Arruzafa

The Parador La Arruzafa at Cordoba gets its name from being built on the site of the small summer palace of the Arab caliph Abdu'r-Raman who in 765 A.D. planted the first palm trees in Europe, Arruzafa being Arabic for "Garden of the palm trees".

It is in a hilly area, three kilometres from the town, at the foot of the Cordoba mountain range.
The situation away from the city brings the benefit of having a temperature 4C degrees lower than in Cordoba.

During the warm summer months, it is possible to dine outside on the terrace. The surrounding luxurious vegetatition and flowers make the swimming pool area very attractive.

The public rooms are elegant and spacious with furnishings of carved wood with metal and leather trim. The decor combines the Arabic with Andalusian influences with earthy colours, wood floors and an abundance of plants.

In the restaurant, the menu combines international food with the local dishes of the region. Recommendations include: "Salmorejo cordobes", a hearty cold vegetable soup made with lean meat, garlic and olive oil.

"Gazpacho blanco de almendras" which is an almond flavoured version of this classic cold soup;
"Heuvos esparragos", being a type of egg florentine based on eggs and spinach;
"Rabo de toro a la cordobesa" which is the local version of oxtail stew;

The terrace overlooking the city is a popular place for a pre-meal drink or to have a snack,

Cordoba is an ancient city and was the capital of southern spain under Roman rule. Its greatest prominence came under Arab rule when the court of the Caliphs of the west established their court in the city.

From the eighth to eleventh centuries Muslims, Jews and Christians lived in harmony making a rich contribution to the city. In those days the city had a population of 500,000 and more than 300 mosques - and more than double that number of inns!

Abdu'r-Rahman, in 785 A.D. commenced the construction of a mosque, the Mezquita, the Great Mosque, which covers six acres. The ornate roof is held aloft by 850 columns. When the moors were defeated by the Christians, the northern part was converted into a cathedral, a task that took two centuries.

Also in the town is the ”Alcazar”, the castle-palace of the later Spanish kings who received Columbus there before his voyage that led to the discovery of America.

Not far away are the ruins of Medina-Azahara, a city built in the tenth century by Abdu'r-Rahman III in honour of Zoraida, his favourite wife. The city was destroyed by the Barbers in the eleventh century but the remains still give an idea of its grandeur.

Cordoba celebrates the festival of Nuestra Senora de la Salud each May and Nuestra Senora de la Fuensanta from September 6 to 9.

The Pedroches valley has the biggest oak forest in Europe and has a very important wildlife reserve. Also nearby, in the ”sierra” of Hornachuelos, is a Natural Park that is worthy of a visit.

In or near the Parador the enthusiast can swim, play tennis, ride horses, walk or play golf.

This Parador has eighty two twin bedded rooms, four rooms with a double bed, two single rooms and six suites. All these spacious rooms have an en suite bathroom.

All rooms have a telephone, satellite television, safe and a mini bar.

The building has air conditioning and central heating, restaurant, bar, parking facilities (without security and limited places), free wireless internet, currency exchange, lift, satellite television and gift shop. Facilities for business meetings are available on request. Other facilities include garden, children's play area, seasonal swimming pool and tennis court.

The Parador overlooks the town from he hill behind and is about 10 minutes by taxi or there is a bus from near the hotel.

Pets are not allowed.

The elevated position of this Parador hotel makes it cooler than staying in the city of Cordoba.

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