An early start with a walk to the train station. The route going through the nightclub district with party goers heading home as we passed through with our backpacks 😂
The walk to our apartment through Cordoba was beautiful. Parks and gardens with citrus tree plantings either in fruit or the air heady with citrus blossoms.
Our apartment kindly let us leave our bags and then off over the bridge we went to the old town.
A crowd was gathering and it turns out it was the Semana Santa Palm Sunday parade! We were just in time for the brass band, the huge heavy floats in Easter themed designs, are carried by a team of men who walk about 20m and have to have a rest. There are various other dress ups with women in black lace mourning gowns, cloaked adults and children. The are crowds of thousands packed into the streets to be a part of it. The procession seemed to come round every 3hrs!
Then off to the palace of Viana and courtyard gardens built in the 15th century. The palace was lived in for 500years but now is a museum filled with tapestries, antiques and various collections.
Then outside to view the 12 stunning courtyard gardens
Each a little different and in bloom and the trees laden with citrus or heavy with blossom.
We wandered through the pretty winding streets with flower boxes and pots to the square for a gelato.
We had a booking for the Cathedral-Mosque which is an incredible structure as it combines Christian Catholic and Islamic architecture. It was first built by Christians in the 5th century, then altered when Islamic church for 500yrs and then huge remodelling to include a Catholic themed central section. Fascinating building which offers Mass daily.
Then to the clock tower where we climbed up the steep stone steps to the top. The lower level with 12 bells and then more bells up higher. Fabulous views of the city below.
Once down we watched another lap of the procession before grabbing the last seat we could find at a restaurant for dinner. Rain started this evening and the temp dropped about 10 degrees in a short time.
A really lovely day with crowds of people.
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