So today we got busy with a drive to Córdoba. I will admit that I was a bit nervous about today, the drive (according to Google Maps) was about 2.5 hours in each direction to a city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site meaning busy with tourists. And we are still jet-lagged. But actually it went quite smooth, drive out was closer to 2 hours and for such a nice town it was a rather slow day, we where able to park easily and no crushing crowds. Grateful but where are the visitors?
Our main stop was The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, a very unique church. Started as a church it was both a mosque and a church for a while when Muslims conquered Spain in 711. This lasted ~70 years then the church was bought out and construction began on the original Grand Mosque. The mosque was expanded several times over the centuries and became its current size around 994. After Córdoba was conquered by King Ferdinand III the mosque was converted into a Catholic church and construction began down this path and continued until the late 18th century. Still used as a church, Muslims recently have been asking for permission to start worshiping inside again and have been denied by Spain and the Vatican.
The multiple expansions by different groups over many centuries gave this church a unique look. The arch design was influenced by aqueducts and triumphal arches in Rome and gave the building an open feeling in spite of its size. Interestingly not all the arches are made the same, The first construction was traditionally done with alternating white and red stones comprising the arches while the last expansion was “done on the cheap” and the arches are a single piece painted to look like stone to resemble the older parts of the building. Look in the pictures, you may be able to see the difference.
The drive back and jet lag kept us from hanging in Cordoba much after lunch so a revisit will be necessary. This is how trips get started…
The road to Cordoba.
Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba with a view of the bell tower.
A Cordoba Street next to the Mosque-Cathedral.
Patio de los Naranjos from the Puerta del Perdón Gateway.
The bell tower from the Patio de los Naranjos.
A fisheye view of the Patio de los Naranjos.
The arch design was influenced by aqueducts and triumphal arches in Rome.
More arches.
Syd waiting for Dad.
The mihrab oriented towards Mecca.
The main altar.
Choir stalls.
One of the cathedral treasures in St Teresa Chapel.
One of the saints (I forgot to note who) burried in the Mosque-Cathedral.
Syd takes the lead to lunch.
Post from RICOH THETA. – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
Post from RICOH THETA. – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA
Post from RICOH THETA. – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA