The Great Mosque of Cordoba was built in many stages. The first portion was begun in 784 on the ruins of a Visigothic cathedral (which was built on a Roman temple). Several subsequent additions to the mosque increased its size to over two hectares. After the Reconquista it was converted to a church and over time rebuilt. Finally a giant cathedral was built in the middle of the whole thing. The end result is an amazing amalgam of Muslim and Christian art and architecture.
A side chapel
The striped double arches that are characteristic of this mosque.
The mihrab (identifies prayer direction for muslims)
Before the Reconquista there would have been none of the heavier columns or arches necessary to support the cathedral
The ceiling of one of the naves of the cathedral
Mary, Jesus and angels
Arches, arches, everywhere...
Details of the mihrab
St John
In some of the chapels in the cathedral the arches are painted
An arch-bishop
Cathedral ceiling detail
Islamic arches
Cathedral ceiling detail
One of many fantastic pieces of art in the Mezquita
Wooden ceilings in the first Christian chapel (13th C)
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