Córdoba was an Iberian and Roman city in ancient times, and in the Middle Ages it was capital of an Islamic caliphate. Today a moderately-sized modern city, the old town contains many impressive architectural reminders of when Qurṭuba (قرطبة), the thriving capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba, governed almost all of the Iberian peninsula. It has been estimated that in the latter half of the tenth century, Córdoba was one of the most populous cities in Europe. It is located 2 hours from Campus El Sabio by train.