Private tour in Cordoba Manuel Esteban B
5.0
(5) reviews
4 hours
1
4 hours
1
Manuel Esteban B.
5.0
Guide rating
83
Reviews
Tours delivered
11 hrs
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Nice to meet you! My name is Manu and I am architect, licenced guide and master degree in historical construction techniques. I love showing the cities where I work and live with architecture and arts focused tours. I am passionate about Granada, Málaga, Cordoba, the Alhambra palatine city, Seville and the whole Andalusian region. I studied my architecture degree and master in Granada, and during my degree I traveled all around the andalusian region and worked as photography teacher and editor in an arts and architecture international magazine. When I finished I lived for half a year in Yokohama in Japan, where I could study the traditional construction techniques of the country and the culture. Lately, I worked as architect for the university of Castilla La Mancha, doing some restoration projects and new buildings in cities with a wonderful heritage, such as Toledo. During this period I did an extra master course in traditional construction techniques in the Architecture School of Madrid, specializing in Islamic construction techniques and in buildings I knew, such as the Alhambra. Since 2013 I started publishing and speaking in national and international conferences, so in 2018 I applied for obtaining my official guiding license, and finally decided to start working on my own architecture studio So nowadays I work as guide and architect, running my own projects which include restoration, refurbishments and new constructions, collaborating with national and international studios while I also enjoy doing routes and meeting people from all around the world. My tours, in English and Spanish, mainly focus on the configuration of the cities, neighborhoods and buildings through analyzing their history and architecture. I do deep-cultural walking tours in Granada, Sevilla, Cordoba, Guadix and Málaga with visual resources, for people that wants to get deeper in knowledge with an academical basis. I also focus my tours in particular buildings or construction techniques, but if you are interested in a particular period, character, architect, feel free to ask! I always like to enrich my tours with literature, music, and gastronomy recommendations, considering travelling as an holistic experience, for deeply enjoying the wonderful cities in Andalucia. So if you come to the south of Spain and you want to build a unique journey, contact me! CREDENTIALS - Msc. Architect by the University of Granada (2015) - Master degree in Historical Construction Techniques by the Politechnic University of Madrid (2017) - Master degree in Teaching for Secondary Degrees and Technical Formation by the University of Granada (2021) - International Internship in Yokohama National University in Japan (2015) - Technical Assistant Architect in the University of Castilla La Mancha (2016-2018) - Urban Photography Course Manager at the Architecture School of Granada (2013-2014) - Guiding License (CAN-Nº 3978) (2018) - Manager of Manu Barba Architecture Studio (2018-) - Official Guiding License for the Picasso Museum in Málaga (2019) - Official Guiding License for the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (2023)
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Manuel Esteban B.
The city of Córdoba is a curious point in the history of mankind since we can find ourselves in a place that has been relevant in the territory over thousands of years, from republican Roman times to the present. However, if a building stands out among the jewels that this city shows (and sometimes hides) to the visitor, it is the Mosque of Córdoba. This mosque stablished in the year 758 by Emir Abderraman I, the only survivor of the Ummayad family, is one of the oldest examples of Islamic sacred space we have in the world, as well as being a constructive paradigm, being an example of beauty and functionality that influenced iberian and european architecture for hundreds of years. During this route we will visit this iconic building and its surroundings, analyzing urban evolution, genesis, and the constructive reason of the city in order to fully understand the relevance of Córdoba all through its historical layers
We spent the day with Conchi. The focus was of course the Alhambra but also included the Summer Palace, The Kings’ Chapel and a wonderful, noisy, generous tapas lunch. Conchi demonstrates her knowledge of history through wonderful vignettes of the Royals’ lives and foibles. She is passionate and full of energy and a joy to spend the day with.
Manu is an excellent guide who we highly recommend. He was very accommodating to our needs. He is very well versed in the history of Spain. This tour of the Mosque-Catherdral of Cordoba began with an introduction and carried through each era as we walked through the site learning how and why it was built and rebuilt over its long history. Manu's architectural background brings added insight. Pointers on how to move about the city after the tour were much appreciated.
Manu certainly knows what he is talking about. He is very knowledgeable snd at the same time warm and very patient with a group of people that ranged from 22 to 82. Do not doubt in hiring him!
Manu is organized, educated and fun to spend the day with. He organized our tour of the Mesquita with a surprise at the end that our family is still talking about. A+
I can only echo some of the other comments - Manu is possibly the best tour guide we have ever had the pleasure of chatting and walking with. Besides being deeply knowledgeable about a wide range of topics, he is witty, charming, and enthusiastic, and was patient with our very many questions - some highly unrelated to the topic at hand! If we are lucky enough to return to Andalusia, we will certainly seek him out, and he has our highest possible recommendation.
We will visit: - The mosque, analyzing the urban environment, the composition, and evolution since its establishment by the 786. - A gate from the ummayad wall. - Some roman remains existing around the city. - The jewish quarter. - The most important squares by the city of Cordoba. - The streets that continue maintaining the islamic urbanism by the city.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Walking tour, no transportation needed.
s/n Plaza del Triunfo, Córdoba, Andalucía, 14003, Spain
Puerta del Puente. A gate close by the mosque and the bridge over river Guadalquivir. (https://goo.gl/maps/Z3k5fdbH1WrteLyaA)
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4 hours
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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