Location
Ciudad Al-ManSur is intended to be in Cordoba because, among other reasons, the project is inspired by this city and the historical period it experienced when it became the capital of Al-Andalus, becoming the most important and influential city in the West at that time.
Its intended location is Almodóvar del Río, a town very near Cordoba, at just 24 kilometres, and at 18 kilometres from the Medina Azahara caliphal complex.
Ciudad Al-ManSur will strengthen the main focal point of leisure in Cordoba where, in addition to the vestiges of the caliphal city, other facilities and tourist places integrated into the Caliphate Routes of the Andalusi Legacy are located.
The land acquired in Almodóvar del Río for the development of Ciudad Al-ManSur has a surface area of 204,000 square metres.
Located at the foot of the majestic and imposing Castle of Almodóvar del Río, the environs could not be more suitable. This Moorish fortress was the residence of emirs and Christian monarchs, and in the 10th Century it belonged to the Cordovan emirate.
A little history … of Almodovar del Rio
In the 9th Century, Almodóvar del Rio became known as Almudawar Al-Adna and its castle, Castillo de Almudawar, connected to the Caliphate of Cordoba during the 10th Century.
Almodovar del Rio played a decisive role in the defence of Cordoba due to its strategic location. Because it was positioned 252 metres above sea level, it served as a lookout on to the river Guadalquivir, which was navigable at that time.
During the 11th and 12th Centuries, the castle belonged to the Taifa of Carmona, the Taifa of Seville, the Almoravid Empire and, finally, the Almohad Empire.
Cordoba, tourist destination
Over 3 million people visit Cordoba every year while the percentage of foreign visitors increases each year.
The Great Mosque and the Medina Azahara archaeological site are the most visited monuments in Cordoba. In fact, they are the most important vestiges of this period and constitute a symbol of the wealth of the Al-Andalus cultural heritage.
In 2013, the Great Mosque of Cordoba recorded the largest number of tourists in its history with 1.4 million visitors. This is the fourth consecutive year in which the number of visitors has increased.
Cordoba, World Heritage Site
Cordoba is a city with an enormous cultural and monumental legacy. Its geo-strategic location, near the Guadalquivir River, navigable in times past, and the inheritance from the different peoples who settled on its rich land, have made it a privileged place.
In 1994 UNESCO acknowledged the universal importance of the Cordovan historical assets, extending the title of World Heritage Site, not only to the Mosque-Cathedral but also the urban sites surrounding it. Moreover, in December 2012, Cordoba was awarded another distinction: La Fiesta de Los Patios was acknowledged as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
How to get here
Cordoba is well connected to the main Spanish cities.
- BY ROAD:
Due to its exceptional geographical location, Cordoba is very well connected not only to Andalusia, but also to the rest of Spain, via the A-4 radial highway. Main access points:
Madrid-Cordoba: Highway “Autovía del Sur A-4”. Approximate travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Seville-Cordoba: Highway “Autovía del Sur A-4”. Approximate travel time: 1 hour
Malaga-Cordoba: Highway “Autovía Cordoba-Málaga A-45”. Approximate travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Valencia-Cordoba: Highway A-3 and connection with A-4 across the A-43. Approximate travel time: 5 hours.
- BY TRAIN:
Cordoba is the branch point of the railway line that connects Madrid to Malaga, Seville, Cadiz and Huelva.
Moreover, communications between Cordoba and Seville, Malaga, Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona are especially convenient by high speed rail (AVE).
AVE travel times:
Seville-Cordoba: 40 minutes
Malaga-Cordoba: 50 minutes
Madrid-Cordoba: 1 hour y 40 minutes
Valencia-Cordoba: 3 hours
Barcelona-Cordoba: 4 hours 35 minutes
- BY PLANE:
Regarding air transport, Cordoba has an operative airport for 80-seat jets and propeller planes. At the present time it does not accept regular passenger flights, though it expects to do so in the future.
The nearest airports are those of Seville, Malaga at 40 minutes, and Madrid.
