The Mezquita, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, was the epicenter of religious life in Moorish Spain, and is still an incredible site today. The Mezquita is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Córdoba, Spain that was at one time the second largest mosque in the world. This Mosque, stands over a Christian church built in the Visigothic period (5th C), was used after Moorish conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. In 786, Abd al-Rahman I tore down St Vicente church and, re-using much of the church's materials, erected the first section of the Great Mosque. As new emirs and caliphs came to power, more and more additions were made to the mosque, making it more elaborate and spectacular. It reached its final form in 987 CE, after more than 200 years of construction.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba is one of the most beautiful examples of Muslim architecture in the world. Its hallmark is the massive prayer hall, which after the last construction under al-Mansur had an area of over 158,000 square feet, including over 1200 columns. Its graceful columns and arches speak of Cordoba's historical splendor. Furthermore, these columns were and still are the hallmark of the Mezquita's grandeur.

The Torre del Alminar, the minaret once used to summon the faithful to prayer, has a Baroque belfry. You can climb to the top to catch a panoramic view of Córdoba and its surroundings. Also, in the very heart of the Mezquita lies the Mihrab, where the faithful gathered for ritual prayers. Bordered by Koranic sculptures and with carved stucco adorning its upper walls, the Mihrab was the holy sanctuary where the Koran was kept.

The Mezquita de Cordoba is most notable for its giant arches and its forest of over 1,000 columns of jasper, onyx, marble and granite. It's treasure has many priceless objects from between the 15C and 20C, which largely come from Córdoba workshops. The most spectacular work of art is Enrique de Arfe's monstrance.

VISIT THE MEZQUITA

Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sundays & Holidays 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Services 11:00 a.m., noon, 1:00 p.m.

Address: Calle Cardenal Herrero, 1
Admission Fees: Adults €5, Children €3.25
Note: Photographs are allowed, but not if you use a tripod. And there are strict security regulations (no big bags or suitcases allowed) at the entrance.

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