The city of Córdoba was the capital of the Islamic community of al-Andalus for three centuries, so the Great Mosque or Mezquita was of great importance and of Moorish architecture. The building was begun around the year 600 as a Christian church, but after the Islamic conquest, it was refashioned as a mosque beginning in 784. Over the next two centuries, the mosque was expanded and underwent numerous changes due to the rapid growth of the community. Here is the Mezquita from across the Roman bridge.
Material from Roman and Visigothic ruins was incorporated into the structure.
An original doorway
The inside is breathtaking...the columns, the arches.
The mihrab or prayer niche (indicates the direction Muslims should face when praying, towards Mecca).
In the 16th century, the King of Spain gave permission for the center of the Mezquita to be ripped out to allow construction of a Renaissance cathedral, which he later regretted. Amazing this is in the same building!
Throughout the Mezquita are both Islamic and Christian religious symbols.
The minaret (tower) from the courtyard of oranges.
Outside the Mezquita we found a bar that serves the best tortilla de patata (potato omelette) in town. Yummy!
Flower Alley in the Judería (Jewish District), a charming labyrinth of narrow streets with flowers dripping from window boxes. The Mezquita minaret is framed between the alley walls.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a castle built in the 13th century on Roman and Arab ruins.
This artifact dates back to the 2nd century.
The fortress gardens are full of fish ponds, fountains, orange trees, and flowers. Beautiful!
We finished the day with dinner and a flamenco show.
We stayed at the Marriott in Estepona on the coast of the Mediterranean.
Material from Roman and Visigothic ruins was incorporated into the structure.
An original doorway
The inside is breathtaking...the columns, the arches.
The mihrab or prayer niche (indicates the direction Muslims should face when praying, towards Mecca).
In the 16th century, the King of Spain gave permission for the center of the Mezquita to be ripped out to allow construction of a Renaissance cathedral, which he later regretted. Amazing this is in the same building!
Throughout the Mezquita are both Islamic and Christian religious symbols.
The minaret (tower) from the courtyard of oranges.
Outside the Mezquita we found a bar that serves the best tortilla de patata (potato omelette) in town. Yummy!
Flower Alley in the Judería (Jewish District), a charming labyrinth of narrow streets with flowers dripping from window boxes. The Mezquita minaret is framed between the alley walls.
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, a castle built in the 13th century on Roman and Arab ruins.
This artifact dates back to the 2nd century.
The fortress gardens are full of fish ponds, fountains, orange trees, and flowers. Beautiful!
We finished the day with dinner and a flamenco show.
We stayed at the Marriott in Estepona on the coast of the Mediterranean.
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