The entrance to the Great Mezquita de Cordoba   Spectacular Spain - Cordoba


After last night's flamenco dance demonstration and diner, we took the coach from Sevilla to Cordoba. Sharlene and I, with the rest of the group walked through the Great Mezquita de Cordova or the Great  Mosque of Cordoba

The Mezquita dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba reached its splendor in Islamic history. At that time Córdoba was the largest, most prosperous city of Europe, out shining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. The development of the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendor..

The Mosque sits on the grounds that have been sacred for centuries. The columns are from an ancient Roman temple and the arches are built of alternating red brick and stone and create an amazing visual effect.

When the city was re-conquered in 1236 the Christians were going to tear down the mosque, as they had done to so many others, but left it because of its magnificent beauty. In 1523 the church built a Christian Cathedral inside the mosque.
It creates very contrasting religious architectural style.
The Bell Tower or Torre de Alminar is 93m high and was built on the site of the original minaret The stunning interior ceiling of the Cathederal The hugh organ inside the cathederal portion of the Mezquita The Mezquita de Cordoba is most notable for its giant arches and its forest of over 856 (of an original 1,293) columns of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite. In 1236, Cordoba was captured from the Moors by King Ferdinand III of Castile and rejoined Christendom. The Christians dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, and used it as a place of Christian worship.
The amazing arches of the Mezquita
The red brick and alternating stone arches are just unbelievable

The stunning ceilings in the Cathedral
The stunning ceilings in the Cathedral are amazing
The stunning Villaviciosa Chapel of the Christian Cathederal built within the walls of the Mezquita
Note: click above for more pictures of Cordoba.

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