THE MEZQUITA

On the site of the current cathedral of Cordoba, there was first a Roman Christian Cathedral,

...which was taken over by the Visigoths & they were later conquered by the Muslims & between 785 & 787 they built a Mosque was built on the ruins of the earlier Cathedral.

Additions & changes were made over the years & in the 10th century the most lavish decorations & additions were made. This was in a time when Cordoba was one of the greatest cities in the western world. Then, the cycle turned & the site was once again in the hands of the Christians. THANKFULLY it wasn't completely destroyed. In the 16th century a Cathedral was built in the centre & zillions of little side chapels filled the sides.

Even so, the remaining parts of the Mosque are exquisite to see. It has more than 850 columns of granite, jasper & marble (mostly recycled from earlier Roman building in Cordoba) & last time I was here, I lost my children in amidst this forest of columns. One minute they were there, the next they weren't! The panic that followed somewhat marred the pleasure of the place! I did eventually find them of course, but the heart rate took a while to settle down!!

 

Indulge me...I got carried away with photographing the double arches!

The Mihrab is particularly beautiful & with the low light in this part of the building, I was very grateful to have a digital camera this time!

I had forgotten just how much the Cathedral had infiltrated the building & the 16th century was particularly over-the-top in it's use of gold & statues & paintings of saints!  This wasn't my interest, so I just lapped up the beauty of the architecture.

Outside it was a relief to get away from the tour groups in the Patio of Oranges, a cool & tranquil reprieve! I almost lost Jeff in there this time....but am glad to say, I felt no panic!! This time, I really feel as if I have seen & experienced the Mezquita!