Not a Misque, Not a Cathedral, Not a Monument but a Temple of Different Cultures

The Cathedral of Cordoba, The Mother Church of Dioceses, all these names for one building, the great Misquita.

This cathedral is a witness to history, beneath the cathdral today is the rubble of what was the basilica of Saint Vincente. This basilica traces back to Visigoth times, pieces of the old cathedral were displayed all around much if which resembled knights Templar symbology. This cathdral was a Christian place of worship until it was destroyed in Oder to build the mosque we went through today.

The destruction of the basilica of saint Vincent marks the Islamic invasion of Cordoba. The Muslims dominating the area destroyed and rebuilt in 785, what is today the most important sanctuary of western Islam.

As I entered the monument I was awe struck by the amazing displays of colors and arches above. The main floor is covered with pillars supporting arches of red and beige colorful stones. The floor is a soft marble and the arches give the sense that the building is never ending. The first years of the mosque were dominantly Muslim. Abd-ar-Rahman began it's construction being inspired by the mosque of Damascus and a Hispanic roman influence as well. There was a final stage done by al-Mansur which added 8 more isles and a courtyard. There are elaboratly done domes over chapels. The colors are different then catholic churches I have seen there are more royal blue, black and golds. The patterens are intensly confusing like a maze and adds to the awe of the place.

Later in 1236 the mosque was turned into a cathedral when Cordoba was conquered by king Ferdinand the 3rd. He wanted to reincorporate the Christian faith in the area and therefore added a large cathdral in the center of the beautiful red and beige arches. The chapels name is Villaviciosa. It's one of the larger duomos I have seen, not as bug as the duomo in Florence but almost as beautiful. The walls are whitwashed with gold painted designs all the way up to the skylight in the center of the dome. There are several chapels created to tell stories in the bible and to allow the wealthy to rest in magnificance.

Of course there us also an orchard of orange trees outside in the courtyard and the once Muslim minerate us now a tower.

Overall this a mix of western culture, abd faiths throughout history just stepping through it allows one to feel change abd appriciate so many cultures and religions all in one visit.