You would think that once you have seen a few fortresses, you have seen them all. Not true. Cordoba's 8th-century fortress, the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, is a complex of buildings and gardens that impress as much today as it did for monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.
Monarchs held court here for nearly 160 years. It is the place where Christopher Columbus presented his plans to find westward sea route to India. Today, it is a cultural heritage.
The entire complex is encircled by massive walls and three towers: Lion's Tower, River Tower, and Allegiance Tower. Climbing to the top will give you a thrilling view of the town, river and Roman bridge.
Most impressive are the magnificent gardens with manicured hedges, spitting fountains, glorious pools, and royal statues. It is a peaceful and beautiful walk -- it wasn't difficult to imagine how Queen Isabella felt spending lovely afternoons in her lavish, lush backyard!
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