Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral

The main tourist attraction in Cordoba is without doubt the Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral – one of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our cottage friends Karen and Rob raved about its beauty and architecture. This was a place that we weren’t going to miss seeing while in Cordoba!

We booked a guided tour a few weeks ago (to guarantee that we got spots) and meet our guide at 4 pm. A good time to go.

The Mesquita’s construction began in the 8th century – Architects were brought all the way from Syria to create the original mosque. The building is mammoth and we couldn’t help but stand in awe as we admired the 850 granite and marble columns and the red and white arches above them that were built to point the way to heaven. The original prayer hall could hold up to 5,000 worshipers. Over the next two centuries, the mosque would grow to four times its original size.

Words will not do justice to what we saw. Neither will our photos. You have to see it to believe what you are seeing. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. It is also one of the best examples of Islamic architecture in Spain.

In 1236, Cordoba finally fell to the Christian forces of Ferdinand III of Castile and 300 hundred years later, a Cathedral was built into the ancient Mesquita’s centre. It was surprising to see this glittering, ornate church within the mosque. The cathedral was built with the permission of King Carlos I who famously regretted the result, saying: “You have destroyed something that was unique in the world”.

What an extraordinary building!Read more