Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba

The Great Mosque of Córdoba began construction in 785 and was expanded multiple times after its completion. The massive prayer hall is beautiful with its repeating two-tiered system of arches, built of alternating red and white stones.

The mosque was converted to a cathedral in 1236 when Córdoba was captured by the Christian forces of Castile during the Reconquista but it wasn’t until the sixteenth century that a a portion of the roof and interior were reconstructed to insert an ornate cathedral nave.

It’s a very jarring juxtaposition of architecture.Read more