Cathedral-Mosque of Cordoba Reviews (Cordoba, Spain)

Mezquita de Cordoba

Scotland, Scotland, United Kingdom

July 11, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo Cordoba's greatest days of glory came after the Moorish invasion of 711 AD. It was around 780 that work began on the Mezquita, which - after many years of continual enlargements, became one of the largest Mosques in all Islam. The city eventually ...Read more Cordoba's greatest days of glory came after the Moorish invasion of 711 AD. It was around 780 that work began on the Mezquita, which - after many years of continual enlargements, became one of the largest Mosques in all Islam. The city eventually became the capital of the independent Moorish kingdom of El-Andalus in 929.
In the 11th century it was one of the most important cities in Europe (in fact it was more than twice as large then as now), with people of many different cultures - Jews, Muslims and Christians - all living together harmoniously and giving birth to many important philosophers, artists and men of learning - one of these was Ben Maimonides (112-1185), the Jewish theologian and namesake of our hotel.
When the city was reconquered by the Christians in 1236, the new rulers were so taken with the absolute beauty of the Mezquita, that instead of tearing it down, they built their Cathedral slap bang in the middle of the rows of arches and columns. Thus they created the amazing, and unique church-mosque that stands there today.

To say that the MEZQUITA is impressive is like saying Spain produces the odd bottle of wine. It's quite stupendous. It's the third-biggest in the world with and has been called the most beautiful and original building of all Spain. It's built in the Califal style, which combines Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, Syrian and Persian elements and all the Arabian-Hispanic architecture that followed was influenced by this building.

You enter through the courtyard adorned with orange trees and resplendent with fountains and water channels - a peaceful oasis you might think, but not when it's invaded by thousands of chattering school kids. This courtyard is a bit of a sun-trap, but on approaching the entrance, we were met with a blast of ice-cool air from the building's interior - those Moors knew a thing or two about air conditioning.
We were a little apprehensive of visiting the Mezquita as from our hotel we could see the convoys of day-trippers descending on the city, and we thought it might just be a little crowded. True, it was busy, and there were large numbers visiting, but the place is so incredibly huge that it really didn't matter. Also, because of the large number of pillars and arches - it's almost like a petrified forest - everyone seems to have their own space.
It's hard to describe the magnificence of the architecture, it's simply breathtaking.

I thought the Mezquita might be interesting, but nothing can prepare you for the splendour and the sheer, awe-inspiring grandeur of it all.

To give you some idea, right in the middle of this forest of columns and arches lies a Cathedral which would be mightily impressive in its own right were it situated in its own space, but it somehow seems insignificant within the massiveness of the Mosque. It's not insignificant, far from it.

After the reconquest, the Christians consecrated the Mosque to be a Cathedral and the Royal Chapel was added. In 1523 the Church and the Crown decided to build the Cathedral inside the original Mosque. This took 234 years, so the style transforms from Gothic to Baroque and Renaissance. One of the criticisms of the construction is the fact that most of the doorways of the Mosque were blocked up making it a far gloomier place now than when in its original state. However, the Cathedral IS an imposing building - it's just dwarfed (though not in height) by the Mezquita.
Unusually for Spain, the Mezquita remains open all day (10.00-19.00), foregoing the traditional siesta. Close

From journal Cordoba and Granada

Famous Mezquita

by Zhebiton

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

September 13, 2010

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Cordoba - another outpost of the Arab conquest of Spain. Here is the famous Mezquita a former mosque, now a cathedral, built by Muslims is in the IX century. After returning to Cordoba in the heart of the Christian church the king decided to raze ...Read more

From journal Andalusia

Cathedral or Mosque?

by catsholiday

ashbourne, United Kingdom

August 28, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo At the start of this year 2010 we spent a week in Fuengirola and we had two main places we wanted to see, one was Seville and the other Cordoba. It has takien me a while but I finally got around to writing this.We arrived in Cordoba and parked ...Read more At the start of this year 2010 we spent a week in Fuengirola and we had two main places we wanted to see, one was Seville and the other Cordoba. It has takien me a while but I finally got around to writing this.

We arrived in Cordoba and parked across the river from the main old town. We walked across the bridge into the old town area and to the huge Mezquita. The river was in full flood and the bridge with the arches had water gushing through at a huge rate. It was really quite dramatic.

Córdoba is a city on the Guadalquivir river in Andalusia, southern Spain and is the capital city of the province of Córdoba. It dates back to ancient Roman times when it was founded by Claudius Marcellus.

We spent a day in this city but more specifically in the The Mezquita (Spanish for "Mosque") of Cordoba which is really what I shall be writing about in this review .This beautiful and fascinating building symbolizes the religious changes Cordoba has undergone over the centuries. Today, the Mezquita is the cathedral of Cordoba known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, but the art and architecture of the building and within is the work of Islamic architects who built it as a mosque in the 8th century.

The Moors came to Spain in the 8th century and in AD 711 Cordoba was the headquarters of the Emirate founded by the leader Abd al-Rahman I. Cordoba was during this time the richest and most glorious city in the known world. Under the Moors the Mezquita was known as the Aljama Mosque and at its time the second largest mosque in the world. Following this period of success and wealth came a period of civil war between the various Moorish powers until finally in 1236 the Christian army led by the King of Castile, Fernando III took the city and the mosque became a consecrated Christian Church.

The Mezquita is open all day from 10.00-19.00 with no siesta which is very unusual for Spain. As you approach the Mezquita, one's first thoughts are that you are approaching a massive fortress as all around the exterior there are massive doors, highly decorative but closed and uninviting. The entire building is enormous and takes up the whole of a city block. You need to be reasonable able to walk around although everywhere is flat and wheel chair accessible you do have to walk a lot to see everywhere and it is enormous.

The courtyard is the first area you come to and it has a lovely traditionally Spanish feel to it with all the orange trees, drainage channels and water fountains which was a lovely area to sit in and wait for the main area to open as we were a little early. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun warmed us as we leant against the wall watching the other visitors. As it was very early January there were not too many people around and to bask in the sun in such surroundings was especially pleasant as we had left snow in England.

At last we managed to get out tickets and walked around into the Mezquita proper. Wow! What an amazing place! Inside this enormous building you see row after row of arches and pillars. Apparently many of the pillars in the Mezquita were stolen from earlier Roman buildings in the area and if the pillar was too long, it was sunk into the ground and reshaped to fit in with the other columns. The pillars are decorated and perfectly lined up in rows.

In the centre of this huge building is now a cathedral. When this part of the mosque was converted into a cathedral, a third of the pillars were removed for a courtyard. In the centre of what is left of the mosque, the arches were reworked and the ceiling raised, this space is now the heart of the cathedral.

As you wander round parts of the building are Moorish in architecture and have Islamic designs while next to it you might see a Christian image or a cross. It was really very unusual and positively awe inspiring in its scale. Around the outside of the building we several small chapels each dedicated to a different saint just as you would get in a Cathedral yet these were separated by these wonderful arches and architecture that was definitely more like that of a mosque. It was a real mix of the different religious architectures and artefacts and it made me think that it is a shame that people of the two religions can’t blend their ideas as easily.
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From journal Andalusian travels

The Mosque that Ate a Cathedral

by Niiko

Andújar, Spain

March 3, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Cordoba is rightly celebrated for its Mezquita (or Mosque), the most emblematic of the city’s attractions – and iconic it is, as many of Cordoba’s locations work the distinctive two-tone arches into their stylings. Much of the Old Town that ...Read more Cordoba is rightly celebrated for its Mezquita (or Mosque), the most emblematic of the city’s attractions – and iconic it is, as many of Cordoba’s locations work the distinctive two-tone arches into their stylings. Much of the Old Town that surrounds the Mezquita is an attraction in itself – narrow, winding passageways opening out into attractive courtyards and squares, lined with a plethora of tapas bars, shops and restaurants. Cordoba’s diverse religious make-up is evident here, as you stroll from La Juderia (the Jewish district) to streets containing Arabic tearooms and similarly-derived architecture, passing Christian churches and Roman ruins en route.

This meeting-point of cultures is most notably on display inside the Mezquita itself, although here the union is not necessarily harmonious. The site started out as a Roman Church before a great Mosque was constructed in its stead – one of the largest in the Muslim world at the time, with over 800 pillars supporting the vast roof. In time, the city was retaken by the Spanish and the sumptuous innards of a Cathedral were built, not over the top of the stunning structure, but inside it. This somewhat off-kilter balance between the two religions remains today, retaining a remarkable, quite unique structure that needs to be experienced, with a curious hushed atmosphere amongst the forest of arches in its darkened halls. Entrance is €8, and is well worth the price, although the impressive patio, filled with orange trees, is free in which to wander.

Open from 10 a.m. until half past six, the interior is surprisingly gloomy; although this should not be taken pejoratively. Rather, it adds a certain secretive tranquillity to the vast space inside, where whispers echo around the columns. A host of small chapels have been built into the outside of the structure, but it is the central nave which represents the most striking addition to the building.

Constructed in a renaissance style, the Cathedral opens up suddenly in the midst of the Mosque as a bright, opulent clearing that stands proudly in contrast with the earthier, more muted surroundings. From the Cathedral’s point of view, this is as dramatic and distinctive a setting as could be wished for, although one wonders how different the Mezquita looked when it housed only the one religion, with the doors along its northern wall flung open to let the light flood in and illuminate the maze of arches.

Despite the Christian influence, the art and style of the Mezquita is still, inside and out, overwhelming Moorish. Within the Mosque, the Mihrab, which once housed the Koran, is without doubt the most overwhelmingly impressive structure; a gilded, mosaiced shrine with finely-crafted curves and lines and exquisite decoration whose finer points and religious significance probably exceed my descriptive abilities.

Externally, the Mezquita is equally iconic and striking, dominating Cordoba’s skyline and providing a centrepoint to the city’s old town. Crowds circulate around it all day and sit drinking on its steps late into the night, taking advantage of the number of fine tapas bars lining the surrounding streets. The distinctive bell tower used to stand higher than it currently does, but it still dominates the riverside skyline and guides you towards one of Cordoba, and Spain’s most intriguing structures.
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From journals Moor and More - Year One in Andalucía, The Cream of Cordoba

See It, Even If It's Out of Your Way

by Roozie

Los Angeles, California

February 23, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Even if you're not an Iberian Peninsula history buff, you can't miss this architectural wonder that influenced the style of southern Spain. This was originally built as a mosque but after the Muslims were pushed out of Spain by Isabella and ...Read more Even if you're not an Iberian Peninsula history buff, you can't miss this architectural wonder that influenced the style of southern Spain. This was originally built as a mosque but after the Muslims were pushed out of Spain by Isabella and Ferdinand during the Reconquista, the building became a church and has been ever since. However, the Islamic architecture was retained and the building is now open to the public on a daily basis.

This is the building with the famous red and white arches that hold up the ceiling. They are made of brick and stone and seem to go on endlessly. I recommend going early in the day for the best lighting. We got there in the late afternoon and some of the more fascinating areas, like the mihrab (a prayer niche) were in shadow and it made it very difficult to see them. With the mosaic work, it should sparkle like crazy- but that's only if the light hits it, and we didn't get there early enough.

The mihrab I mention is the area where the Imam preached the Friday prayer sermon during the time of Islamic rule, and it is the deepest one in the world. Also, the gold and glass mosaic depictions of vines and Koranic verses around it are absolutely stunning. We didn't get very good pictures though because it was so dim when we were there. Go when the sun is high in the sky and the domes above the mihrab are lit up. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. We didn't get to go inside of it, but I've heard that you can, and if you get the chance, go in it and take a look at the mother-of-pearl dome to it. It's shaped like a shell. I'e only seen pictures but I wish it had been open for viewing because it looks pretty.

Also, take a good look at the walls outside the Mezquita as you walk in the outer gate. I didn't notice it at the time, but I learned in a recent Art History class that the walls around the complex are 9 feet thick! I went back and looked at the pictures I had taken and sure enough, they are. It's incredible how thick they are and some parts of the gate are also part of the church, and so help to hold it up. Still, it's pretty wild to have such thick walls. The walls are decorated with beautiful horseshoe and cusped arches, and the gates are gilded and shine when the sun hits them (another reason to go when the sun is high). This is definitely a building where you want the sun above, because the interior can be so dim it's hard to really see, and you lose a lot of the effect.

All in all, amazing place to see, and if you go out of your way to see it, I PROMISE you won't be sorry you did!

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From journal Moorish Spain: Seville, Cordoba and Granada

Cordoba Cathedral

by LenR

Townsville, Queensland, Australia

January 12, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo This would possibly be one of the most interesting religious buildings I have ever seen. The scale, the architecture and the history all combine to make a visit here very memorable. Today the structure is a Christian cathedral but for 400 years it ...Read more This would possibly be one of the most interesting religious buildings I have ever seen. The scale, the architecture and the history all combine to make a visit here very memorable. Today the structure is a Christian cathedral but for 400 years it was a grand mosque and the wonderful edifices of the two faiths have been miraculously incorporated into one.

The site was originally home to the basilica of San Vivente which was constructed here in the 6th-century. Following the Islamic invasion of Cordova, construction of a mosque on the site of the church was commenced. This would eventually become the most important sanctuary of Western Islam in the world. The original construction was inspired by the Mosque of Damascus with its ablution courtyard and hall of prayer. The first additions to the basic structure were carried out within the first one hundred years. The courtyard and the aisles of the prayer hall were extended and the minaret that is now embedded in the tower of the cathedral was added. Later a major expansion occurred with the help of the Christian emperor Niceforo Focas. He sent Byzantine artists to the site and also provided the beautiful mosaics used in the area where the imam lead prayer.

When King Ferdinand III reconquered Cordova in 1236 work began on a Christian chapel within the vast mosque. In the 15th century, the original palm trees in the courtyard were substituted by orange trees that now give this area its name. Major work was undertaken from 1523 to build a main chapel, transept and choir. The result was a Latin cross shaped plan and an ingenious integration of the mosque structures within the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque creation. The various side chapels were the result of people wanting to be buried in the cathedral. Of particular note are the plaster works in the Royal Chapel where Kings Ferdinand IV and Alfonso XI are buried, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception which was once the baptistery and the Baroque Chapel of Saint Paul.

There is so much of interest here that it is almost overwhelming. The size of the Muslim structure, the richness of the Christian chapels and the way the two have been combined all need some time to absorb. It is one of the few buildings I have visited where I have unable to identify my favourite part. You really need to take a guided tour of the building to get an understanding of how it has developed. Sure, you can walk around and admire the various sections but the unique history here should be properly understood.
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From journal Fascinating Cordoba

The Great Mosque in Cordoba

by Drever

Ayr, Scotland, United Kingdom

April 18, 2008

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Best of IgoUgo The Great Mosque in the historic heart of Cordoba is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Spain. Its 1000 columns create a forest of onyx, jasper, marble and granite, topped by horseshoe arches of candy-striped red and white marble. ...Read more The Great Mosque in the historic heart of Cordoba is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim art in Spain. Its 1000 columns create a forest of onyx, jasper, marble and granite, topped by horseshoe arches of candy-striped red and white marble. Pieces of the Roman temple and early Christian and Visigoth buildings previously occupying the site form the columns. Besides the horseshoe-topped arches, the Mezquita also features richly gilded prayer niches. The building occupies a rectangle of 180 metres by 130 metres.

The Mezquita dates from the 10th century when Cordoba under the Muslims was the largest, most prosperous city of Europe, outshining Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture and the arts. Developing the Great Mosque paralleled these new heights of splendour.

Outside is the Courtyard of the Orange Trees, which in springtime perfumes the air. It has a beautiful fountain. When the Muslims’ prayed, all 19 naves of the mosque were open to this courtyard allowing the interior columns to appear like an extension of the outside trees.

The architecture borrows from that of the Romans. It uses the same horseshoe-shaped arches to bridge the pillars, but at two levels. A second and aesthetic innovation was to alternate brick and stone in the arches, creating a red and white striped pattern. This gives a distinctive character to the whole design. Sunlight streams in from windows in the four cupolas creating interesting effects combined with artificial light from the thousands of small lights.

The Mihrab, the Muslim pulpit, has a shell-shaped ceiling carved from a single block of marble. The chambers on either side contain exquisite Byzantine mosaics of gold. Where pilgrims once crouched on their knees is shown by worn flagstones. The Mihrab once housed the Koran and relics of Muhammad. In front of it is the Maksoureh, an ante-room for the caliph and his court. Its mosaics and plasterwork make it a masterpiece of Islamic art.

The Mosque became a Christian place of warship on the defeat of Cordoba in 1236. Gradually a cathedral arose over the years from the centre of the mosque. It pales in comparison with the mosque. Even the Holy Roman emperor Charles V regretted destroying something unique to make way for something commonplace. Although it clashes with the mosque, the cathedral is impressive in its own right, with an intricately carved ceiling and the 18th century Baroque mahogany choir stalls are some of Europe’s most elaborate. Its Bell Tower, built on the site of the original Minaret, is 93metres high. From its top are superb views of Cordoba.

Although partly destroying a unique building, without the addition of the cathedral there would now be no mosque for it was only because of the continued use of the building for warship that it survived. Continual restoration has been necessary to preserve its fabric.

Today Muslim immigrants and Spanish converts to Islam are seeking the right to pray inside what was once Europe's most spectacular mosque. It would be a grand gesture and a salve to old wounds to let this happen!
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From journal Five Days in Andalusia

Mezquita (La Mezquite) - Mosque

by baroudeur2004

Liege, Belgium

October 6, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The gold of your ceilings shines like the lightning crossing the clouds, said one Spanish poet when describing la Mezquita. Seen from the outside, the dazzling Mezquita, jewel of Spanish Art, looks more like a military fortress than a religious ...Read more The gold of your ceilings shines like the lightning crossing the clouds, said one Spanish poet when describing la Mezquita.

Seen from the outside, the dazzling Mezquita, jewel of Spanish Art, looks more like a military fortress than a religious temple. It is only once I entered inside that I could admire its magnificent architectural designs.

Opening times in summer: 10am-7pm Monday to Saturday; Sundays and Bank Holidays from 9am to 10:15am and 2pm to 7pm. Timetables change with the seasons, so check the exact opening times when you arrive. Entrance is 8€ (discounts for children).

Inside the Mezquita, I could witness four architectural styles corresponding to four construction stages (and the people who inspired it):
- 785 to 793 (Abdelramman I, emir of Cordoba): the main door open towards the North was built as well as the eleven rooms of the central part. The mosque was inaugurated in 793.
- 833 to 848: (Abdelramman II) the mosque is widened towards the South and nine supplementary arches were added.
- 964 to 965 (Al-Haqem II) : the mosque is again widened towards the south and reaches between 964 and 965 the shape of a gigantic rectangle. Eleven others arches were added near the outside wall of the temple, the rooms are widened by adding thirteen columns for each row - and finally, the magnificent Mihrab was built, whose decoration is currently considered as the chef d’oeuvre of Byzantine design in Spain. It is then the apogee of the mosque of Cordoba.
- 987 onwards (Al-Manzor): The temple is extended towards the East.

During these four construction stages, the overall architectural silhouette varied little in substance.

The current main door of the Mosque (Puerta del Perdón, 14th century) is oriented towards the North and is mudejar in style. Past the entrance, the labyrinth of the columns shows us the overflowing Oriental imagination canalized by religious rigor and partially transformed by Christian sculptors. The styles of the columns are diverse: Ionic, Corinthian or mixed, and most of them are painted in diverse ways: the blue and white arches are Muslim; the religious paintings on other arches are undoubtedly Christian.

But the highlight of the mosque is undoubtedly the marvellous Mihrab. The wealth of the three chapels that composes it is indeed fabulous. Its imposing arches with their extraordinarily beautiful Byzantine mosaics, marvellously designed marbles and beautiful multicolored columns dazzle us. The "Mihrab" is one of the highlights of the Arabian architecture in Spain. During the times of the Caliphate, it is there that was kept the precious Koran copied by the Caliph Oman and authenticated by his own blood.

La Mezquita is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful mosques I ever visited and the most beautiful Spanish one. Not to be missed!
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From journal Romans, Muslims, and Christians in Cordoba

Cathedral

by baroudeur2004

Liege, Belgium

October 5, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo Seeing Christian altars in an ancient Mosque will undoubtedly surprise you. I certainly did not expect to see such a cathedral in the middle of a mosque. The history of the cathedral is as follows: in 1236, when Fernand III conquered the city of ...Read more Seeing Christian altars in an ancient Mosque will undoubtedly surprise you. I certainly did not expect to see such a cathedral in the middle of a mosque. The history of the cathedral is as follows: in 1236, when Fernand III conquered the city of Cordoba, the mosque became a Cathedral (of the Virgin’s Assumption) instead of being destroyed, like many other mosques during the Reconquista.

The reforms brought to the former mosque strongly affected the north zone where all naves were closed, except the one that became the entry of the Cathedral under the name of Puerta de las Palmas. On the other hand, 52 chapels were constructed and the sumptuous Mirhab became the vestry of the present chapel of San Pedro. The transformation of the Mosque into a Cathedral lasted 243 years (1523-1766).

After the transformations that were necessary to adapt the temple to the needs of the Catholic cult, the Capilla Mayor (Major Chapel) was built under the Catholic Kings with its precious marble altarpiece and its marvelous odd style church tabernacle, and is located next to the chapel of Villaviciosa from where the transept and the Gothic bows detach themselves.

There are a few other chapels worth a short stop: in the chapel of San Bartholome, is buried Luis of Góngora, a famous Spanish baroque poet. ; in the chapel of "las Animas", I was reminded of pre-Columbian America when seeing the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.. In the chapel of the "Concepción", I could admire sculptures by Pedro de Mena (famous sculptor whose works can also be seen in Malaga, Madrid, Toledo and Murcia) and, in the chapel of the Cardinal Salazar, a statue of Santa Teresa sculpted by José de Mora.

Not to be missed is the treasure of the cathedral where the Monstrance is kept; it is the main work of Henri de Arfe, and it is more of 2.5 metres high and 200 kilograms. This "Custodia" was carried in procession for the first time on Corpus Christi in 1518.

Recently, the Bishop of Cordoba refused the right for Muslims to pray in the Mezquita-Cathedral, arguing that it was nowadays a place for the Catholic cult only.

Opening times are the same as for the Mezquita (see my review of it) and the visit is included in your ticket for the Mezquita. Definitely the most unusual place to see a Cathedral and this is not to be missed! Close

From journal Romans, Muslims, and Christians in Cordoba

Mezquita (La Mezquite) - Mosque

by marseilles

Metro Manila, Philippines

March 25, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo We boarded the coach a little past 9am, and headed to our next stop, Cordoba. We thought we had had our fill of Churches, but walking into the Mezquita at Cordoba took our breath away, and we ended up walking around the Mezquita in awe and amazement ...Read more We boarded the coach a little past 9am, and headed to our next stop, Cordoba.

We thought we had had our fill of Churches, but walking into the Mezquita at Cordoba took our breath away, and we ended up walking around the Mezquita in awe and amazement for more than an hour.

The Mezquita is a gargantuan mosque, built in the 10th century on the site of a small Christian church. When Cordoba was Christianized, the Mezquita was turned into a cathedral. I had seen mosques before in Asia. And being a Catholic in a former Spanish colony, I of course had seen Churches, including dozens of medieval Churches that dot the Philippine islands.

But the Mezquita was something else. When you walk in, you know you are in--what else--a mosque, and an exceedingly glorious one at that. Its incredibly tall pillars and high arches are made of white and red brick, and as a result the arches are striped red and white, making you feel that you are in a Moroccan tent city populated by giants. My husband and I walked around in dazed awe, broken only by laughter when my husband began to hum the theme from the Lord of the Rings movie when the fellowship enters Moria. (Yes, it did look like Moria!)

Of course we knew that this mosque had been turned into a Church, yet it still took us by surprise to see, smack in the middle of the Mezquita, just where one would expect Muslim prayer mats to be rolled out, a set of very Catholic pews, an altar and chancel, and even a Confessional box. The juxtaposition of Christian symbols against Islamic architecture and design was jarring, amazing, and exceedingly interesting.

We oohed and aahed as we noticed little details on the ceiling, on the walls, in the little side chapels... as we walked by the markers on the ground where faithful parishioner were buried, as we approached a pit had been dug up to reveal the original foundation, more than 1000 years old.

I squinted, trying to imagine what this place must have looked like a thousand years ago, when faithful Muslims from all over Cordoba would gather to worship here and to pray. I tried to imagine the imam's voice carrying over their bowed heads as he led the faithful in prayer. I squinted again, trying to imagine what battles these walls must have seen, and finally, I wondered how the first Christians to enter these walls must have reacted when they came here to hear their priest say Mass. I thought about the changing language that must have reverberated against these pillars: the imam chanting the Arabic verses from the Qur'an, the priest centuries-old verses in Latin.

Oh, if walls and pillars could speak.

Tourists' entrance fee is €8 for adults. It is open to tourists 10am-6:30pm Monday to Saturday, 1:30pm-6:30pm on Sunday. Sunday Masses are at 9am and 10:45am. This is a must-see! Close

From journal Cordoba and Back to Madrid: Part 4, Final Part

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