Cordoba Day Trip: Madinat Al-Zahra, "The Bright City"

Did you know that during Middle Age there was a practice which associated the position of caliph with the creation of large urban centres in the proximity of ancient cities? That was one of the reasons, Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir, decided to build a new city near Cordoba. We all know that with the arrival of Islam, trade was greatly improved, but the first caliph of Al-Andalus also created a mint where gold coins were minted! He began with the construction of the Alcazar but Abd al-Rahman encouraged the building with important fiscal measures, paying 400 dirhams to all those who built a house next to the sovereign! Around those 120 hectares, (only 10% rebuilt), I'll show you the letrines (innovative system), an oven where people cooked and that amazing water system that kept from flooding but supplied baths and gardens. Did you know double doors for security in the banks are not a new system? They already existed here in Cordoba in the mid of 10th century! Let's travel together in time, you'll be surpris