Cultural
Ville califale de Medina Azahara
Located near Córdoba in Andalusia, Spain, this archaeological site represents the remains of a palatial city founded in the 10th century during the height of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Built as an administrative and royal centre, the site demonstrates the sophisticated urban planning and architectural achievements of medieval Islamic Spain. The excavated structures reveal residential quarters, administrative buildings, and mosques arranged across terraced levels on a hillside, showcasing the integration of water systems, gardens, and fortifications characteristic of caliphal design. The site is significant for its material evidence of Al-Andalus civilization and provides substantial archaeological information about the political, economic, and cultural organization of the period. The ruins contain artifacts and architectural elements that illustrate the craftsmanship and aesthetic principles of 10th-century Islamic civilization in the Iberian Peninsula. The preservation of these remains makes the site an important source for understanding the development of medieval Islamic urbanism and the historical importance of Córdoba as a major cultural centre.
