Torre de la Calahorra, Cordoba

It's home to the Living Museum of Al-Andalus, and its name holds a curious clue. The term Calahorra Qalahurra is probably a native word meaning red castle (change to FREESTANDING — the confusion with "red" comes from the town of the same name in La Rioja, whose place name is likely Roman, and because of its phonetic similarity it has been mixed up with the Arabic word Qalahurra, meaning a freestanding castle or fortress, which fits the Cordoban tower better), and would apply to freestanding towers like this one, built on the left bank of the Guadalquivir.

This fortress dates back to the 12th century, as part of a defensive belt protecting one of the city's key points. The first written references appear in the 13th century, when this stronghold blocked the Castilian king Ferdinand III from crossing the bridge during his conquest of Cordoba.

In the Early Modern and Contemporary periods it had several uses. It served as a prison for Cordoban nobles, a barracks, and later a girls' school in the 19th century. In 1931 it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument and in 1985 a Spanish Historic Heritage site. At that point it passed to Cordoba City Council, which entrusted the building to the Roger Garaudy Foundation, today the Paradigma Córdoba para la Convivencia Foundation, where it was set up as the museum's home.

The Torre de la Calahorra became the Living Museum of Al-Andalus in 1987, thanks to the initiative of French writer and philosopher Roger Garaudy.

The museum is spread across three floors and has eight rooms taking you on a journey through the history of Al-Andalus, with particular focus on what emerged from the collaboration between Christians, Jews and Muslims.

After room one, which works as a first introduction, it's worth taking your time in room two. Here you'll find the effigies of four key figures from the 12th and 13th centuries: Averroes, Maimonides, Ibn Arabi and Alfonso X the Wise.

Room three holds a reproduction of surgical instruments designed by the Cordoban physician Albucasis, author of the first great encyclopedia of surgery, the Tasrif.

Room four reveals the splendour of palace life during the 10th century, considered the golden age of Al-Andalus, when Cordoba became the most important city in the West.

Room five houses a recreation of the Alhambra of Granada, icon of the Nasrid Kingdom and the last stronghold of Al-Andalus on the Iberian Peninsula.

Room six focuses on Andalusi music and the legacy of Ziryab, founder of the first music school in Cordoba.

Room seven holds the scale model of the Aljama Mosque of Cordoba, key to understanding one of the greatest works of architecture of all time.

The last room reveals what daily life was like in Caliphal Cordoba, a meeting point for scientists, writers and philosophers, admired by all who visited it.

As a finishing touch, at the top of the tower there's a terrace with a view of Cordoba along the river. From here you can photograph landmarks such as the Mosque-Cathedral, the Roman Bridge, the Alcazar, the Triunfo de San Rafael, the Sotos de la Albolafia and the river mills.

The Torre de la Calahorra and the Living Museum of Al-Andalus are open Monday to Sunday, though opening hours change depending on the time of year.

October, March, April and May: 10:00 to 19:00

November, December, January and February: 10:00 to 18:00

June, July, August and September: 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:30

It's a good idea to check for last-minute changes on the official website.

The Torre de la Calahorra has several ticket rates, and all of them include access to the terrace and the audio guide for the visit. It is not accessible for people with reduced mobility.

General rate: €4.50.

Reduced rate: €3.00 for students, young person's card holders, pensioners, retirees and people with disabilities.

Group rate: €3.00 for groups of 15 people or more.

Super-reduced rate: €2.00 for people born or resident in Cordoba or its province.

Available in Spanish, English, French, German, Italian and Arabic.

Tickets can be bought directly at the museum ticket office.

The Torre de la Calahorra became the Living Museum of Al-Andalus in 1987 on the initiative of French writer and philosopher Roger Garaudy.

The name Calahorra Qalahurra is linked to a native word meaning red castle, applied to freestanding towers like this one, on the left bank of the Guadalquivir.

At the top there's a terrace from which you can photograph landmarks along the river such as the Mosque-Cathedral, the Roman Bridge, the Alcazar, the Triunfo de San Rafael, the Sotos de la Albolafia and the river mills.

The Torre de la Calahorra stands at the southern end of the Roman Bridge of Cordoba, on the left bank of the Guadalquivir river. The most direct way from the centre is to head to the Roman Bridge and cross it, since the tower is right at the far end.

If you'd rather use public transport, you can get there by bus on lines 3, 12 and 14.

A guided tour in Cordoba to round off the Torre de la Calahorra

If after visiting the Living Museum of Al-Andalus you feel like carrying on with what's right around it, the most natural option is to pair it with our Cordoba free tour, because it takes you through the centre and fits perfectly with the Roman Bridge area. And if you want to round off the day with the big must-see, the best move is to jump to our guided tour of the Mosque-Cathedral with entry included, and do it with a guide to take it all in, from the big picture to the small details.