I have been staying with a friend in Cordoba for two weeks in order to improve my Spanish before starting the second semester in Geneva. I could talk about the monuments in Cordoba, Granada or Seville (as we also visited these two cities), or perhaps of the prodigious amounts of food, all delicious, which my friend’s mother serves, but I will limit myself to talking about the Mezquita, the best known monument in Cordoba, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.
We have visited the Mezquita twice- once during the day, and another time at night with an audio guide. Today, the Mezquita is a cathedral, constructed inside a mosque, which in turn was built over a Visigothic Basilica already on the site. The construction of the Mezquita began in 785, and it was extended during the Emirate of Cordoba and the Caliphate of Cordoba, until the Reconquest of the city in 1238, when it was converted into a Catholic cathedral. Work on the Renaissance Basilica began in 1523.
Today, the Mezquita represents an architectural mix of Arabic and Christian styles, which is very typical of Andalusia. This combination of styles can also be seen in los Alcazares Reales, the royal residence in Seville, and many other religious and residential sites across the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. The external walls enclose a traditional patio which leads to the main building, complete with orange trees and the original irrigation system installed by the Moors. Later, a portico was constructed, giving protection from the fierce summer sun.
The main building is the jewel in the crown. Inside the Mihrab, or prayer room, there is arch after arch, all with different columns of stone, gypsum and marble. Beyond the arches, in the centre of the building, the Central Chapel extends up to the sky. It is taller than the rest of the space, with columns ending in gothic arches, unlike the horseshoe arches of the Mihrab. There are two enormous, intricately decorated organs, which despite having been made in the 17th century, are still used for concerts and other cultural and religious events.
In all, it is an impressive building, both inside and out. It dominates the skyline, especially viewed from the Roman Bridge when it is lit up at night. Moreover, the Mezquita is representative of the city itself, as it combines the Muslim and Christian styles, with influences from both cultures, just like the other buildings and streets in the historical centre. It is a building which I find particularly enchanting as you can read its history in its walls.