The Medina Azahara was once a beautiful palace built in the 10th Century and named after Azahara, the favourite wife of Caliph Abd al Rahman 111. No expense was spared and 10,000 men worked on the site. The palace was on three levels and the residence had beautiful halls adorned with marble, ebony and jasper. There were extensive gardens, aviaries, menageries and ponds. It is now in ruins but you can see the impressive main hall with its marble carvings.