Friday, April 11, 2014

Córdoba: Mezquita/Cathedral

The history of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba (also known as the Mezquita and the Great Mosque of Córdoba) is amazing. If you'd like to learn about it in detail, Wikipedia is a good starting point (click here). Otherwise, I've got 'some' photos to share and just a few bits of information.

It is thought that the Mezquita was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple. The Visigoths invaded Córdoba and converted the temple to a church in 572. After the Islamic conquest of the Visigoths around 661, the mosque was begun and Christians were allowed to practice in their churches within the walls of the mosque. The mosque continued to expand (more than doubling in size) until the year 987. Finally, under Christian rule, Muslim worship was no longer allowed and it became the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady. That's an incredibly dumbed down version of history. But, it's meant to tell you that the mosque is huge and, within its walls are multiple Christian chapels and an entire cathedral. (Click the images to see how the mosque and cathedral grew over the centuries.)

VIEW OF THE MINARET FROM INSIDE THE COURT OF ORANGES.

A GLASS FLOOR TO EXPOSE ANCIENT MOSAICS BELOW.





"THE MIHRAB," WHICH IDENTIFIES THE WALL THAT FACES MECCA.





THE RIVER AND THE PUERTA DEL PUENTE (GATE OF THE BRIDGE), BUILT 1572.
(AS VIEWED FROM THE WINDOW OUTSIDE THE TOILETS — NEXT TO THE COMMUNAL SINKS.)



BACK IN THE COURT OF ORANGE TREES AFTER OUR EXPLORATIONS.
LOOKING FROM THE STREET INTO THE COURT OF ORANGES.
TOURISTS...
ANOTHER SIDE...
AND ANOTHER...


16 comments:

  1. Mitchell, this cathedral is spacious and bright. I love this kind of buiding styles

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosia:
      The mosque/cathedral is incredible. Amazing to see the two combined... and at such a grand scale.

      Delete
  2. The mosque is incredible, but I thought the cathedral in the center looked like it had been beamed there ala Star trek. Maybe "ala" here should be spelled "Allah."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      I agree about the cathedral. It looked to me like a trade show had set up inside the mezquita.

      Delete
  3. What an amazing space. Ain't history brilliant!
    Di
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Di:
      Truly brilliant. My photos don't do it justice. The size is overwhelming.

      Delete
  4. I do like architectural restraint.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Speechless. One could spend days there! great photos Mitchell.
    Those are the new 'runners', yes? Were they effective or are those two very tired feet after a day in 'churches'?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      The new runners/trainers/sneakers are great. But the feet still hurt after THAT day.

      Delete
  6. Architecture that's about as breath-taking as it's possible to be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Raybeard:
      My photos really don't even show it in its glory (I took about 250 that day). The space, the materials, the light... just amazing.

      Delete
  7. Stunning. I would love to see this in person. Lucky you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristi:
      I definitely recommend it... obviously. Incredible.

      Delete
  8. That's an amazing building! It's now on my list of "one of these days." Page 472.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walt the Fourth:
      You would truly appreciate this. And I would love to see the photos you would produce! I think you'd have a hard time tearing yourself (and your camera) away.

      Delete

Please visit www.movingwithmitchell.com if you would like to comment or stay up to date. I stopped posting here and reproduced all previous posts, as well, 25 September 2018. Thanks!!!