Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 Details – the fourth stage of this year’s Vuelta is a 164.7 km flat stage from Mairena del Alcor to Córdoba.

It will be a flat stage for the first 120 kilometers, after which it will have the peloton climbing two mountains that, although not excessively difficult, may well break the group up and avoid a mass sprint towards the city of Córdoba. The stage may be decided within a small peloton, although it will also be favorable for the brave who seek success by breaking away.

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 quick info

DATE August 26, 2014, Tuesday
STAGE TYPE Flat
START-FINISH Mairena del Alcor (210 m) – Córdoba (125 m)
LENGTH OF THE COURSE 164.7 km

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 Profile

Vuelta a España 2014 stage 4 profile
Vuelta a España 2014 stage 4 profile
Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 last 5 km profile
Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 last 5 km profile

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 start city: Mairena del Alcor

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 start city: Castillo de Luna (Mairena del Alcor)
Castillo de Luna (Mairena del Alcor, Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 start city). Image by Jesús Gavira – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, Link

Mairena del Alcor is a small city located in the province of Seville, Spain.

The city’s actual physiognomy and monuments have their roots in the 14th century when the town of Mairena was given to the Ponce de León, who founded the Feria de Mairena (or Mairena Fair) in 1441, the oldest and the first to be celebrated in Lower Andalucia. Its fame has attracted the curiosity of numerous travelers who wrote about its many wonders in books and travel guides, making it a benchmark for fashion and customs. Lovers of archaeology and history will also rush to visit the museum created by George Bonsor in the Castle, which houses one of the region’s most outstanding archaeological collections.

Other must-sees include the Procession of the Cristo de la Carcel and the “Cante Jondo” competition and festival that pay tribute to Antonio Mairena and the purest form of flamenco singing. This is held in the House-Palace of the Dukes of Arcos on the first weekend of September.

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 finish city: Córdoba

Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 finish city: Córdoba. Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs)
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs). Also known as the Alcázar of Córdoba, it is a medieval alcázar (Arabic: القصر‎, romanized: Al-Qasr, lit. ‘The Palace’) located in the historic center of Córdoba, the Vuelta a España 2014 Stage 4 finish city. The “torre del Homenaje” and the “torre de los Leones”, view from the gardens. Photo by Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA – Cordoba-6, CC BY 2.0, Link

Córdoba is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. An Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, during the postclassical period (Middle Ages), it became the capital of an Islamic caliphate. The old town contains numerous architectural reminders of when Corduba was the capital of Hispania Ulterior during the Roman Republic and capital of Hispania Baetica during the Roman Empire; and when Qurṭubah was the capital of the Islamic Emirate and then Caliphate of Córdoba, including most of the Iberian Peninsula.

It has been estimated that in the 10th century Córdoba was the most populous city in the world, and under the rule of Caliph Al Hakam II, it had also become a center for education under its Islamic rulers. Al Hakam II opened many libraries on top of the many medical schools and universities which existed at this time. Such universities contributed towards developments in mathematics and astronomy.

During these centuries Córdoba had become the intellectual center of Europe and was also noted for its predominantly Muslim society that was tolerant toward its Christian and Jewish minorities. Today it is a moderately-sized modern city; its population in 2011 was about 330,000. The historic center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As well as the unique mosque-cathedral, Cordoba’s treasures include the Alcázar, or Fortress, built by the Christians in 1328; the Calahorra Fort, originally built by the Arabs, which guards the Roman Bridge, on the far side of the river from the Mezquita, and the ancient Jewish Synagogue, now a museum. Cordoba’s medieval quarter, once the home of the Jewish community, is called “La Judería” (The Jewry), a labyrinth of winding, narrow streets, shady flower-filled courtyards and picturesque squares such as La Plaza del Potro.

In early May, homeowners proudly festoon their patios with flowers to compete for the city’s “most beautiful courtyard” contest.

Córdoba has the highest summer temperatures in Spain and Europe, with average high temperatures around 37 °C (99 °F) in July and August. So it probably will e a very hot and exhausting stage.

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