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Review:
On the western outskirts of Cordoba are the ruins of a vast, fortified Moorish palace-city. It was built between 936 and 940 by the first Caliph of Cordoba, as a symbol of power and prestige. It was designed to be superior to those of his rivals in North Africa and Baghdad. The complex comprised a mosque, a mint, government offices, workshops, barracks, homes and baths. An aqueduct brought water to the city. It was sacked in 1010 and then left abandoned. Parts of the buildings were used elsewhere. In 1910 excavations started and to date about 10% of the 112 ha site of Medina Azahara has been charted.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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