There are buildings that leave you speechless. And the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is one of them. When you log in for the first time and you see that amount of columns and arches of red and white you get impressed forever. It is not just a monument, it is a trip of more than a thousand years of history in stone, marble and brick. If you’re planning to visit the great Mosque of Cordoba and wish to enter without the baggage, you can leave them on our lockers from the city centre.
History and Evolution
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba has changed hands, religion and appearance more times than you can imagine. Few buildings in the world have undergone as many transformations as she did, temple, roman, visigothic basilica, mosque, cathedral. Did you know?
A Roman Temple to the Wonder of the World: The Origins of the Mosque
The history of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, it begins much sooner than you imagine. The visigoths built the basilica of San Vicente in the sixth century on the place now occupied by the mosque. When the muslims came to Córdoba, shared during a time in this space with the christians. Until, in the year 785, Abd-ar-rahman I decided to pick up the great mosque, which was built in just two years. Was reused columns and capitals of buildings romans and visigoths in the EIGHTH century.
From that moment on, every ruler wanted to leave their mark. Abd ar-rahman II expanded the prayer hall, Abd-ar-rahman III built a new minaret, which still exists within the current bell tower), Alhakén II added the mihrab, and Almanzor expanded to become the largest mosque in the world outside of Iraq, abbasid. The mosque has a size of more than 23,000 square meters.
Architecture and Unique Items
Now comes the really leaves you with your mouth open. Because the story is very good, but when you enter the Mosque you realize how important it was in his time and the amount of special items that you can see along your tour.
The Forest of Columns: 856 Pillars that Mesmerise
Inside the Mosque there are more than 850 columns of marble, jasper and granite that support the system of double arches. You can find columns, roman, visigothic, and even some that to this day no one knows his origin. The arches doubles were built because the columns recycled were much too low. The architects carried out the project needed more height, so they devised a solution: place of horseshoe arches down and arches up. The result is very similar to that of a roman aqueduct.
The Horseshoe Arches Bicolor: The Symbol of Córdoba
If there is something that stands out in the Mosque are its colours. The columns, in the color red and white, are very easy to recognize for any tourist. The voussoirs red are brick-and-whites are limestone. This play of colors was the signing of the art caliphate of córdoba.
The Mihrab: The Most Precious Jewel of Islam in the West
The mihrab is the heart of any mosque, as it marks the direction of Mecca. The Mosque of Cordoba is stunning. Alhakén II wrote to the byzantine emperor Nicephorus II asking artisans experts in mosaics. Sent to a teacher mosaiquista and more than 1,600 pounds of glass tesserae of colors. The result was spectacular, with almost 200 square metres of mosaics byzantine gold, blue, red and green that represent the Heavenly Garden. However, you have a curiosity that very few people know: the mihrab, Córdoba is not facing towards Mecca. In reality, is oriented towards the south, in imitation of the Great Mosque of Damascus.
Secrets and Curiosities
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba saved stories that only you know if someone account during a guided tour, or if you learn previously.
The Column of the Miracle: The Legend that Few Know
Between the chapels of the Rosary and the Epiphany you can see a column with a cross engraved. Legend has it that, during the expansion of Almanzor, a christian prisoner chained there he prayed with much faith that managed to scratch the marble with the nail of his hand, drawing a cross. And the stone would have reblandecido miraculously under your finger. In this column there is a poster of the EIGHTEENTH century where you can read the following sentence: “The captive with great faith / in this hard marble / the claw pointed out / Christ crucified.”
We don’t know if it will be a reality or just a legend most, which runs through the city. But people trust her and many tourists take the opportunity to touch it if it brings luck.
Graffiti Medieval Hidden in the Columns
While walking between the columns of the Mosque, you can see many inscriptions in Arabic and christian symbols engraved on the stone. Are trademarks of beds muladí (christians converted to islam) who left their signature on the monument and who helped in the construction of this great building architecture.
Why the Floor Is Tilted
You may not have noticed, but the floor of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba has a slight slope to the south (approximately 0.4% incline). This is a consequence of the field, since the mosque was built on a slope down to the river Guadalquivir. In his time, they had to fill in the field to be leveled. Therefore, the arches are all different and the columns have different size.
What to See in the Surrounding area: The Jewish quarter and the Roman Bridge
A few meters from the Mosque is the Jewish quarter, the old jewish quarter of the city. With narrow streets, the Synagogue (one of the three that are left in Spain), the Calleja de las Flores and the statue of Maimonides.
We recommend to get lost in these streets aimlessly for a more in-depth the oldest part of the city. Crossing the Gate of the Bridge, you come to the Roman Bridge. A monument built in the century, I.C. over the Guadalquivir river. Has 331 metres in length, that connects with the Calahorra Tower, an islamic fortress of the XII century, where it is the Living Museum of Al-Andalus. During the night, the Mosque is illuminated and you can see your reflection in the river.
If you want to discover the 10 must-see attractions in Córdoba and make sure you don’t miss any of its most iconic landmarks, we invite you to visit our blog, where you’ll find a complete guide to help you plan your trip to the city.
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is the proof that when you bring together different civilizations can build great monuments and the result is unique in the world.
After exploring the rich history of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a great way to continue your journey through Spain is to discover something completely different: this guide to visiting the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, one of the country’s most iconic modern architectural complexes.
