CATHEDRAL MOSQUE

The tour of the Mosque of Córdoba starts in the iconic Courtyard of the Orange trees, the space garden the most ancient of the city. Its origins date back to a building late roman, whose archaeological remains reveal influences visigothic and adaptations islamic beginning of the EIGHTH century. During the muslim period, the courtyard served to the conduct of trials, the teaching and as a open area of the prayer hall. Subsequently, with the advent of christianity, it acquired a new function as a garden and shelter for the needy. Currently, it is a key point for the visitors, who can admire your beauty, especially in the spring, when the aroma of the orange blossom wraps around the environment. In addition, during the visit, they reveal fascinating details, such as the original connection between the courtyard and the prayer hall, designed for light to illuminate the interior of the temple.

When you enter the Mosque, we find an impressive forest of columns and arches, two-colour that transport you to the splendour of Al-Andalus. Along the way, you can appreciate the contrasts of light, wealth, and the stylistic and the fusion of artistic influences that give the monument a unique essence. Among the most striking are the double height of the arches, the re-use of materials of previous buildings, the majestic Mihrab, and a fact unique: unlike majority of the mosques, it is oriented towards Mecca.

During the tour, we will visit the various expansions that transformed the muslim prayer room. In its first stage, is incorporated materials from the ancient basilica of San Vicente Mártir, giving the building of a symbolic nature, exceptional. Subsequently, the interventions of Abd ar-rahman II, Al-Hakam II and al-mansur added elements like marbles of colors, bows polilobulados and delicate plasterwork plaques, witness the splendor of the caliphs. In addition, the integration of the chapel royal vaults and gothic show the changes that the monument underwent over twelve centuries of history.

The great Mosque of Cordoba, which in his time was the third-largest in the islamic world, is transformed into a space of light and spirituality with the imposing presence of the transept of the cathedral. This fusion of the architectural is the result of the work of a prestigious series of architects from cordoba, together with the influence of an emperor, and several bishops. During the visit, the guidelines highlight the quality of the materials used and the symbiosis between tradition umayyad and modifications christian. A clear example of this is the choir stalls, made of wood imported from Cuba and carved by teachers image makers seville, where each figure is unique in ex.

The treasures of the Mosque-Cathedral, which include valuable pieces of jewelry, as the processional monstrance of the SIXTEENTH century and the cross of the bishop Fitero, used in the consecration of the temple as a cathedral in the THIRTEENTH century. These relics are interspersed with an outstanding collection of filigree and silver, crafts.

Along the way, to observe the many chapels that were integrated into the perimeter of the old prayer hall after its conversion into a cathedral, thus respecting the original structure of columns and arches.

Make this route is a must-have experience in Córdoba, allowing you to understand and appreciate the history housed within its walls. Built on the remains of a visigothic basilica, whose traces can still be seen in its interior, the great Mosque of Cordoba is a testimony of the evolution of cultural and architectural heritage of the city. Through its three major expansions, carried out by Abd-ar-rahman II, Al-Hakam II and al-mansur.