Andalusia is a remarkable region, combining a wealth of different cultures that intermingle on many levels, from history to culinary to architecture. Today, let’s take a look at a building that exemplifies the symbiosis between the historic peoples of Andalusia, the Cathedral of Cordoba
If you ever hear that there is no other cathedral in the world like the Grand Mosque, take their word for it. And you have every right to be surprised that the cathedral is called a mosque – after all, the history of the place is truly unique.
La Mezquita – respecting the past
Construction of this building began in the late 6th and early 7th centuries, when the Visigoths ruled the area. For the next two centuries, this temple – dedicated to Saint Vincent – was the main Christian church in Cordoba. In the eighth century, the Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula and everything seemed to indicate that all places of worship would be forcibly converted to Islamic. And this is where the first shock begins – namely that representatives of both religions sat down for peaceful talks and struck a bargain – half of the basilica remained in the hands of the Christians, while the other was legally bought by the Muslims. The two parts were respectfully shared by both faith groups.
In 784, the Arab population began to grow rapidly, so the emir Abd ar-Rahman bought out the Christian half of the building, and he did so with so much money that it allowed the Christians to build several other magnificent temples in other parts of Cordoba.
It was then that the mosque began to grow rapidly, with successive additions being made to serve the growing number of Córdoba’s Muslim population. Initially, the remains of older buildings were used, with ancient elements including columns that had remained from Roman times.
The mosque was extended three times, maintaining the original style and each time enlarging it considerably until it finally reached the impressive size of 130 × 115 metres! The number of ornate, double-arched columns has reached 544, and it is these that most impress visitors.
The time of the reign of Christians
However, this was not the end of the development of the site. When the Arabs were driven out of the Iberian Peninsula, the Christian rulers were so impressed by the magnificence and beauty of the building that they initially made no changes to the temple’s construction. It was only in the first half of the 16th century that the Bishop of Cordoba, Alonso Manrique, came up with the idea of emphasising the Christianity of the place. He planned an extension and his plans were approved by Emperor Charles V. This is how the temple was stripped of its centre – the bishop ordered the complete demolition of the central part of the building and inserted an impressive Gothic transept into the gap thus created. However, as construction took a century, Renaissance and Baroque elements also crept into the design.
Unique on a global scale
On the one hand, you might think that a magnificent priceless monument has been destroyed, but on the other hand, we can visit an absolutely unique place in Córdoba today. When we enter the cathedral, we see exactly what the faithful saw when they visited the place in the 8th century – old ancient columns dating back to Roman times, elements that were the work of the Visigoths, and monumental pieces created by successive emirs. We find ourselves in the stunning interior of the endless columns – the impression is so great that one feels like being on the set of a huge fantasy production! And at the very end, we arrive at the surprising heart – a Christian soaring transept adorned with colourful stained glass windows that cast a magical light on the gloomy interiors. It is impossible to be in Andalusia and not see this extraordinary building – there is no other place like it in the whole world!
Fall in love with Andalusia
Historical buildings that are the remnants of many cultures, stunning cuisine, an open society or charming beaches – all of this makes this part of Spain endlessly discoverable, with other expressions of human creativity at every turn. If you are looking for the perfect place to spend a relaxing holiday, then Andalusia will meet all your requirements!
