Europe > Spain > Andalucia (Cordoba) > Cordoba > Articles > Hi-Tech Old-town

Walking around Cordoba’s sleepy alleyways these days it can be hard to imagine that this was once one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, a centre of learning and trade that was rivalled only by Damascus and Baghdad. This Andalusian city of 300,000 is justifiably proud of its Roman and Moorish history, the wonderful tangle of its old Jewish quarter and its wealth of churches and chapels. But it has long been overshadowed by the charms of Seville and Granada, and the tourists who make the journey up here are lured primarily by a desire to see the Great Mosque.

Now tourists in Cordoba’s labyrinth of cobbled backstreets are being surprised by the unexpected appearance of space-age bubble-cars and processions of people mounted on what at first glance seem to be runaway baggage trolleys.

Alfredo Romeo Molino is a technological wizard who believes that his unique ‘Blobject’ electric cars and incredible Segway ‘human transporters’ will revolutionise what he considers to be his hometown’s staid tourism policy.

The electric bubble–shaped cars are easy to operate and are ideal for negotiating the tiny alleys. They are fitted with onboard GPS which led to a unique Cordoban experience for me; it was the first time in half a dozen visits to the old city that I have escaped without getting lost even once! From time to time I could pull over (into specially–reserved Blobject spaces), to sit back and listen to a recorded commentary on the sites around me, or to look at vintage images and interactive explanations on the onboard computer screen.

While you can hire a Blobject car as you would a normal car, the Segways are specifically reserved for guided tours (usually 2 hours). These incredible 'people–movers' – which look deceptively difficult to handle yet, in reality, are impossible to tip over –certainly provide the most exciting way of experiencing the old city.

It is strange that this most traditional of historical cities should be spearheading a move in the most high–tech city tours. But Alfredo is not alone in his enthusiasm: after the US, Spain has more Segway operators than anywhere else in the world and there are already tours in Merida, Palma de Mallorca, Toledo, Barcelona, Madrid and (soon) in Seville and Aranjuez.

Facts Two–seater 'Blobject' cars can be hired from 30€ for 2 hours (40€ for 4–seaters). 2–hour Segway tours cost from 30€. For more information tel: +34 957 76 00 33 or visit www.blobject.es.

Articles

• More from Mark Eveleigh