Today was a more detailed exploration of the ancient melting-pot of Cordoba - a meeting point of East and West, where Rome, Jew, Islam and Spain all came together at various times: sometimes peacefully, but often not.
conquest of the Nasrid kingdom (remember the Alhambra) and the discovery (or conquest if you will - a much better word for it in my mind) of America were planned.
Towards the centre of the city, and right next door to the Town Hall is the Roman Temple and wall, the only Roman temple of which there is archaeological evidence in Cordoba. Dedicated to the cult of the Emperor, it dates from the first Century AD (CE) and is surprisingly large, although the gatekeepers resolutely refused to appear anywhere around the official opening time, so today it could only be viewed from the outside.
It is note-worthy that during the 1st and 2nd Centuries AD (CE), Hispania Ulterior Baetica (this region) was the most prosperous provinces of the Roman empire. Some important historical figures born here include the geographer Pomponium Mela, the philosopher Seneca, the agronomist Columella, and the Emperors Trajan and Hadrian (he of the wall).
Around to the Plaza de la Corredera (La Corredera Square), unique in Andalusia with the characteristics of a Castilian plaza mayor, similar to Madrid's - only without the people, or the appeal to be honest (but that may
have been the weather. Not much survives of the original square, other than the balcony for public appearances over the local food market, and one restored house; other than that it appears to be sad tourist shops; really not worth the effort of finding it.
There are some great exhibits, and the building sits over an archaeological conservation dig of the city's Roman theatre, which has walkways running through it. Digging continues to uncover more of this part of the city's
history.