The Mezquita was my favourite place in Spain, which is why I have saved it until last. I thought it was stunning. I hope you like it too.
Cordoba is rightly famous for the magnificent Mezquita. The well preserved mosque dates from 784 A.D. During the Dark Ages, when most of Europe was illiterate, Cordoba was a centre for religious tolerance, learning and art. I had no idea what to expect. I was not disappointed.
part of the exterior wall
the massive doors leading to the Mezquita
incredible doors
open sesame
the courtyard in front of the mosque
inside the mosque
There are 850 columns inside topped with double arches made from red brick and white stone. The arches remind me of nautilus shells. The columns were recycled from Roman and Visigoth ruins. This place is breathtaking.
I love the arches
The mihrab is like a christian church’s high altar and this is truly spectacular. More than 20,000 people could pray in the mosque at once. It must have been an incredible sight.
the Mihrab
detail above the arch
looking up
the ceiling
closer
inscriptions on the columns
is this not incredible?
so much detail
beautiful
As if all this wasn’t enough a christian church was built in the middle of the mosque in 1523.
christian and muslim
the altar of the church
ceiling
another one
the organ in the choir
carved wooden seats in the choir - check out the haircut on the right
woman with dove
angel on a pillar
knight on a pillar
lots of gold
a knight in an alcove
doesn't he look jolly
I prefer the islamic style to the christian. It somehow seems more calming.
I love these arches
tiles
more arches
and more
last one - I hope you weren't bored
back in the courtyard
This is one place I want to come back to – once is not enough.
I agree – it is stunning. Must put it on my long list of things to do..
By: mary D on May 9, 2011
at 5:39 am
You won’t be disappointed.
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 5:44 am
Awesome photos. This place looks absolutely stunning! Having never been to Spain I can see why so many are enthralled with it! Thank you for a little glimpse!
By: margieinitaly on May 9, 2011
at 5:41 am
It is amazing isn’t it? You have to go.
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 5:44 am
Amazing, amazing, amazing. You know, some of those pictures of arches look for all the world like Escher drawings…where you don’t know what comes first or what’s in front of what…fantastic.
By: Charlotte on May 9, 2011
at 6:57 am
Funny you should say that about Escher. He was actually inspired by the Palace at Alhambra – a post I did the other day.
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 7:16 pm
Cordoba was certainly one of my favourite places in Spain. We were there in April last year, a lovely time as far a temperature goes and the orange blossoms in Seville were magnificent. Wouldn’t it have been interesting if the Christians had left the Mezquita as it had been first designed! The Muslim architecture is far more interesting – complex yet simple and very soothing, if that is the right word.
By: hardlyrelevant on May 9, 2011
at 7:31 am
I love the Islamic style. It would have been excellent if it had been left alone. However, the alcazar in Seville is actually copied from the Moorish style to great effect.
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 7:18 pm
That is one stunning building. I particularly like the red and white candy colours which you don’t often see.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on May 9, 2011
at 9:13 am
I could have stayed in there all day.
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 7:18 pm
Bored – NEVER !!!!!. I am pleased to have joined you in your travels to Bagni di Lucca and beyond. From the simplest forms of beauty in your pansies and peonies to the great architecture of palaces. Now I must be away on a short travel of my own.
By: helen on May 9, 2011
at 11:37 am
Have a great time. Are you going somewhere lovely?
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 7:19 pm
Thanks Deb,
We are leaving on Thursday for France (10 days) Eastern Europe (15 days) London (5 days). Look forward to your next blog.
Regards Helen
By: helen on May 10, 2011
at 9:37 am
That sounds great. Have a wonderful holiday.
By: bagnidilucca on May 10, 2011
at 5:27 pm
Debra I was thinking the other that you should publish a book with all the pictures from around the word that you collected.
It is amazing the collection you have!
Your blog should be listed as one of the best travelling blogs!
By: mirellamccracken on May 9, 2011
at 4:48 pm
Thank you for your very kind comments. I certainly have gathered lots of photos along the way.
By: bagnidilucca on May 9, 2011
at 7:19 pm
I love Escher by the way………….great place and the photographs are inspiring.
By: Moira Drexler on May 9, 2011
at 7:51 pm
Ah Cordoba – I thought that like in the Lorca poem we might never get there 😉 What a fine set of photos you have taken. You are such a good photographer as others have said before me, Oh my, I loved that place and wanted to stay and wander under the arches forever. I looked it up just now on Wikipedia and read a little of the background and the current political issues surrounding it. I hope they are resolved peacefully. I remember being told that in Moorish times the many open doors around the sides of the building were left open and the interior was flooded with light, it really must have been like walking through a forest with long shadows falling from the pillars. I hope to go back one day too 🙂
By: Joanna @ Zeb Bakes on May 9, 2011
at 11:25 pm
I would love to have seen it in its prime. I too, could have stayed forever wandering under those arches.
By: bagnidilucca on May 10, 2011
at 4:31 am
Wow. What a stunning place. Now why don’t we have architecture like that here?
All those arches are beautiful… I could have one of them in lounge room.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on May 10, 2011
at 2:55 am
I love the arches. It shouldn’t be too difficult to install one of them in your lounge.
By: bagnidilucca on May 10, 2011
at 5:21 am
The Mezquita must have been an awesome place to be in with so many people praying at once.
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on May 15, 2011
at 4:51 pm
It is the most incredible place I have ever seen. It would have been most impressive when full of people.
By: bagnidilucca on May 15, 2011
at 9:06 pm
[…] posts from Spain didn’t attract all that much attention. I was especially disappointed that Cordoba’s magnificent Mezquita didn’t rate well as I think it is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Palacios […]
By: Take a look at my 7 links « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on July 30, 2011
at 6:57 am
How interesting to see Islam and Christianity under the same roof! Lovely architecture, all of it – but I love the ornate details in the Mosque 🙂
By: Lu on July 30, 2011
at 1:42 pm
I liked the Arabic stuff the best.
By: bagnidilucca on July 30, 2011
at 1:44 pm
I’m glad I didn’t read these posts until after I went to Spain – now I can look at them and let them call up all my memories.
There is something so serene and calm, and yet solid about the Islamic architecture in this mosque/church, it’s just amazing to feel it around you.
By: Journey Photographic on July 30, 2011
at 2:44 pm
I loved the Islamic architecture in Spain. You are right, it is serene and calm.
By: bagnidilucca on July 30, 2011
at 11:09 pm
[…] Toledo and saw the magnificent cathedral (click here), Cordoba to see the amazing Mezquita (click here) and we just loved Seville (click here) and the Alcazar in Seville made us want to stay forever […]
By: Driving all over Spain « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on September 12, 2011
at 12:36 pm
[…] here to see more of this incredible building and look in the Spain category to see Madrid, Ainsa, Toledo, […]
By: Looking back over 2011 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 30, 2011
at 5:22 am
Your photos Mezquita very bright and cheery as opposed to mine.
By: Victor Tribunsky on March 26, 2013
at 8:10 pm
There was plenty of light when we were there. I don’t know what happened on your visit. I think the mesquita is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 27, 2013
at 7:39 am