Converted into a cathedral with the soul of a mosque, it is not surprising that this monument represents like few others the mixture and character of Cordoba.
A personality that is imprinted in its configuration and architecture resulting in a combination of Umayyad, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles; where a high altar can coexist with a mihrab or Muslim holy place.
A high altar in the middle of a forest of jade and marble columns. Byzantine mosaics in the mihrab framed by Renaissance central naves… These are just some of the contrasts in the architecture of the Cathedral Mosque.
As you will see, the architecture of the Mosque of Cordoba is one of the most unique in Spain, so today in Oway Tours we take you on a tour of the fascinating architecture of the Mosque with our Guided Tour of the Mosque of Cordoba.
First of all…
A bit of history
In its day, the Mosque was positioned as the second most important temple in the Muslim world, only behind Mecca itself.
Its construction dates back to 786 -it was completed in the tenth century- and would function as a Mosque until the reconquest in the thirteenth century, where it would be used as a Cathedral after its consecration.
Did you know that…? It is the only example of a mosque in Muslim Spain that has been preserved since the 13th-15th centuries.
The architecture of the Mosque of Cordoba
This temple is the most important monument not only of Cordoba, but of all Andalusian architecture.
Throughout its thousands of years of history it has undergone several modifications that have given it a unique composition.
Thus, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque modifications have been adapted to the temple until it became a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
As a curiosity, its original construction was inspired by the Great Mosque of Damascus, and the holy place or mihrab, is oriented to the south and not to Mecca, following the pattern of the Mosque of Damascus.
That said, the parts that make up the Mosque are the Orange Courtyard, the Palm Gate and the Mihrab.
Patio of the Orange Trees: Through the Gate of Forgiveness you enter this courtyard guarded by rows of orange and palm trees, horseshoe arches and the murmur of the fountains.
Gate of the Palms: The jewel in the crown of the Mosque is this forest of no less than 850 columns of marble, jasper and granite, crowned by 365 two-colored horseshoe arches.
Mihrab: The holy place is a jewel of marble, where Byzantine mosaics stand out against the gold.
As you will see, the Mosque of Cordoba presents a fascinating architecture. And as a picture is worth a thousand words, no matter how much we tell you, we would not be able to convey the magnetism that this place transmits. So you will have no choice but to visit the Mosque, don’t you think?
Visiting the Mosque-Cathedral
Given the architecture of the place, it is not surprising that the internet portal TripAdvisor placed in May 2017 this monumental complex as the best place of interest in Europe and third in the world.
If you want to get lost within its millenary walls and relive the stories that enclose its corners, we recommend you to visit the Cathedral if you come to Cordoba.
So that you don’t miss anything, Oway Tours has a guided tour of the Mosque Cathedral so you can learn first-hand stories that do not appear in the guidebooks.
Dare to discover the Mosque-Cathedral, the icon and soul of Cordoba.
On the other hand you can consult the best guided tours of Cordoba in the link, in it you will find our best guided tours such as:
And much more…
