Medina Azahara

From Freepedia

The Ruins of Medina Azahara are located about 30 kilometers from Córdoba, Spain. The ruins were discovered about ninety years ago. Only about 10 percent of the 112 ha site has been excavated and restored. The city flourished for approximately 80 years. It had been built by Abd ar-Rahman III the Calif of Córdoba starting between 936 and 940. It is presumed that family strife led to the abandonment of the city. In the years following the decline of the city, neighboring tribes raided the site for building materials.

With time the entire city was buried, not to be unearthed until 1911.

The restoration of that portion of the city that has been excavated is very impressive. Excavation and restoration continues, depending upon funding by the Spanish government.