it saw a lively group of students head out from a damp Gloucestershire to the Spanish sun...This module (RPE136) is designed to offer students the opportunity to experience an extended visit in the company of other students to a city or area of historic significance in the study of Christianity and/or other religions. The essence of this full module is a five night and five day study tour of an historic location, such as Rome, Jerusalem or Turkey. For the past two years, our destination has been Cordoba.
Thursday
After a more eventful journey than planned, we arrived at Los Patios once more – for a busier year than last time. We began with our usual orientation tour, and the Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus / Torre de la Calahorra. The wireless-headphone tour ends on the roof, and with a view of the Roman Bridge and Mezquita. After this we headed off for the walk to the Archaeological Museum – with its Roman and other materials – maybe by next year the English-language labels will finally be in place... The day ended with a quiet drink in the Plaza Corredera.
Friday
This was the day when we met up with Imma (our tour guide from last year), who showed us round the Jewish Quarter (and the onl
y remaining synagogue) , the Old Town and Mezquita – with a commentary to contrast with the info you get from the Catholic Church leaflet that you are give on entry. In many ways, the Mezquita is the highlight of the trip – and at the end of the tour, students are left in the building to stay as long as they wish.
Saturday
We spent the morning at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba – which has a history of the site, as well as spectacular formal gardens.
The afternoon was spent wandering the Old Town and (in an addition to last year) at the Museum of Jewish life ( http://www.casadesefarad.es/in/entrada.html ).
Sunday was a day off, and the staff investigated the Madinat al-Zahra site – as a possible addition for next year. This ruined Islamic city has a new museum, which we checked out – and which is very hi-tech, but also gives a fantastic introduction to the region.
Students explored – one rented a bike (we ran into him at Madinat al-Zahra), some went walking, and others pottered about the Old Town (there are loads of museums in Cordoba – so lots to explore).
Monday
This was the day-trip to Seville. After an early walk, the Avant train sped us to Seville.
After a more eventful journey than planned, we arrived at Los Patios once more – for a busier year than last time. We began with our usual orientation tour, and the Museo Vivo de Al-Andalus / Torre de la Calahorra. The wireless-headphone tour ends on the roof, and with a view of the Roman Bridge and Mezquita. After this we headed off for the walk to the Archaeological Museum – with its Roman and other materials – maybe by next year the English-language labels will finally be in place... The day ended with a quiet drink in the Plaza Corredera.
Friday
This was the day when we met up with Imma (our tour guide from last year), who showed us round the Jewish Quarter (and the onl
y remaining synagogue) , the Old Town and Mezquita – with a commentary to contrast with the info you get from the Catholic Church leaflet that you are give on entry. In many ways, the Mezquita is the highlight of the trip – and at the end of the tour, students are left in the building to stay as long as they wish.Saturday
We spent the morning at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Cordoba – which has a history of the site, as well as spectacular formal gardens.
The afternoon was spent wandering the Old Town and (in an addition to last year) at the Museum of Jewish life ( http://www.casadesefarad.es/in/entrada.html ).
Sunday was a day off, and the staff investigated the Madinat al-Zahra site – as a possible addition for next year. This ruined Islamic city has a new museum, which we checked out – and which is very hi-tech, but also gives a fantastic introduction to the region.
Students explored – one rented a bike (we ran into him at Madinat al-Zahra), some went walking, and others pottered about the Old Town (there are loads of museums in Cordoba – so lots to explore).
Monday
This was the day-trip to Seville. After an early walk, the Avant train sped us to Seville.
Following last year’s geographical challenges, we found our way with 
more ease – and headed to the astounding site of the Alcázares Reales de Sevilla – in which you could lose days (and indeed students, but most seem to have come back); and then there is – next door – the huge, towering Seville Cathedral, a gothic immensity almost totally obliterating traces of a mosque on the site.
Tuesday
Travel home... Down to Malaga by train this time – but all went smoothly – and we now just await the student assessments!
more ease – and headed to the astounding site of the Alcázares Reales de Sevilla – in which you could lose days (and indeed students, but most seem to have come back); and then there is – next door – the huge, towering Seville Cathedral, a gothic immensity almost totally obliterating traces of a mosque on the site.Tuesday
Travel home... Down to Malaga by train this time – but all went smoothly – and we now just await the student assessments!
For info on last year's 2009 trip see http://r-p-e.blogspot.com/2009/03/cordoba-field-trip.html
Thanks to all the students who came for making it an exciting and memorable trip...
oh - and we went to the Bath-house of the Caliphs...
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