Exploring Cordoba: Moorish Meets Catholicism

Hello fellow travelers! Cordoba is a small city located in Spain. It has a lot of history, especially when it comes to religion.

About:

Cordoba is the 12th largest city in Spain and the capital of its province, also called Cordoba. This ancient city is known for its Moorish architecture. La Mezquita is a prime example of Moorish architecture in the city. It was originally a mosque and was converted into a cathedral in 1236, after the Spanish Reconquista.

Roman Bridge

The Roman bridge is an arch bridge built in the 1st century BCE. The bridge crosses the Guadalquivir river. Before the construction of the San Rafael Bridge in the mid-20th century, it was Cordoba’s only bridge.

A Cordoba by Luis de Gongora

This plaque has a poem written by famed poet Luis de Gongora. He was born, raised, and later died in the city. The poem, when translated into English, reads:

Oh lofty wall, oh crowned towers
Of honor, of majesty, of gallantry!
Oh great river, great king of Andalusia,
Of noble sands, if not golden!

Oh fertile plain, oh raised mountains,
That privileges the sky and gilds the day!
Oh always glorious homeland of mine,
As much by feathers as by swords!

If among those ruins and remains
That enriches Genil and Dauro bathes
Your memory was not my food

Never deserve my absent eyes
See your wall, your towers and your river,
Your plain and mountains, oh homeland, oh flower of Spain!

Central Cordoba

The main square in the city. What’s unique about the city is its large, curved frames. These frames are a far cry from the Gothic and other styles seen in Spanish cities.

La Mezquita

La Mezquita (“the mosque” in Spanish), the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, is home of the Roman Diocese of the city. The cathedral’s full name is Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. La Mezquita is unique because it is the only mosque from the Moorish takeover of Spain and Andalusia to be converted into a Catholic cathedral. The cathedral itself is a beautiful mix of Moorish, Baroque, and Gothic architecture.

A plaque that says “Obispado de Cordoba”- the offices of the Diocese of the city.

The interior of the Mezquita is breathtakingly beautiful. The interior features the beautiful curves and tall entryways of Moorish architecture. It also has the intricate stained glass windows and tall arched ceilings of Baroque and Gothic architecture.

A painting and a tabernacle featuring Jesus.

The workers who worked on the Mosque-Cathedral often carved their names into the numerous pillars located around the site.

The “room of gold” inside the cathedral, which is the interior of the mihrab.

A stunning example of the Baroque architecture in the cathedral.

The main altarpiece. I love how intricate it is. The altarpiece in the Mezquita is also unique because it does not contain any carvings. Five paintings are on display, each depicting the assumption of Mary.

Another painting of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ child. You may have seen a similar painting in my Toledo post.

The cathedral’s bell tower.

Statue of Maimonides

There is a statue of Sephardic rabbi and philosopher Maimonides, who was born in Cordoba during the Almoravid dynasty. The Almoravid dynasty was a Berber Muslim dynasty that lasted from the 1050s through 1147. The dynasty included what is now modern-day Morocco and Western Sahara. It also stretched up to al-Andalus, which is now modern day Andalusia and most of Spain.

La Juderia

La Juderia is the area of Cordoba in which Jewish people lived between the 10th and 15th centuries. The city went through a period of time where three religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) co-existed peacefully. The Synagogue (La Sinogoga) is a historic former synagogue. It allegedly belonged to a wealthy resident during that period of time.

Conclusion

If you are planning a visit to Spain, Cordoba is worth visiting. Make time or budget to see it. The city’s unique architecture is beautiful, and its rich religious history leaves a deep cultural impact.

Have you visited Cordoba before?

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