Just under 10 km from the historic centre of Cordoba, stand the imposing ruins of Medina Azahara, the caliphal residence of Abd al-Rahmān III, a central figure of Islamic domination in Andalusia at the end of the 10th century. The caliph had his grandiose palace built in the heart of a city of imposing dimensions. Archaeological work is bringing to light the ruins of a truly magnificent monument, and although the surface area of the city is small, it is worth visiting this site to understand the considerable importance of Islamic culture for Cordoba.
