To both Carol and I, this mosque/cathedral is one of the most impressive and stunning buildings we have ever seen. We were gobsmacked in 2001 when we first saw it, and also the other times since.
You have no idea how much discipline it took me to only post 16 photos:
One of the keyhole arch entries.
The alternating red brick and white stone
double arches are stunning to see. Even
more so when you realize there are more
than 800 double arches.
Visigothic ruins from the Christian
church that was on the site before
the Islamic conquest. This is from
the Sixth century, but you knew
that just from looking at these ruins.
The arches appear to extend
as far as the eye can see.
Representing the starry sky, this dome
was part of the Mosque's Mihrab,
Islam's equivalent of a high altar.
Moorish decorative work above the
niche of the Mihrab. We are all blessed
that after the Reconquista of Cordoba,
in 1236, the Christians decided not to
tear down the Mosque, but instead built
the Cathedral within the existing mosque.
The lion is part of the
Cathedral, as animals
and humans are not part
of Muslim art.
Panoramic photo of the doors
on the east side of La Mezquita.
Alas the blog program doesn't
show the photo at a larger length.
A view of the Mezquita
from across the river.
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