Spain - Cordoba

The region of los castillos (The Castles) and Andalucia is divided by a huge mountain range. One we went over is Sierra Morena with it's beautiful cliffs. Once over the mountain we saw thousands of olive trees (it is said there's more olive trees than people in Spain) and found ourselves in entirely different country...

Sierra Morena

The first stop of Andalucia was in Cordoba. After lunch, we headed to the oldest section of Cordova where it was impossible for car to go through the streets that were like labyrinths.

Entrance to Cordoba old town

Cordoba is famous for its Mosque/Cathedral. From the entrance and the large courtyard, I did not know what to expect. I had not done my research previous to visiting this city. My eyes widened as we walked in.

Entrance to Mosque in Cordoba

This bell tower is actually built around the Islamic Minaret to hide and to turn this mosque into the Christian site.

Bell Tower with Minaret inside

The Great Mosque of Córdoba (La Mezquita) was founded 785 CE. It was added to and expanded over the next two hundred years to make it the third largest structure in the Islamic world.

          

Inside the mosque

Before the mosque, there were roman and Visigoth structures underneath and after Christian reconquer, a Cathedral was built inside to preserve the site.
Before the mosque, there were roman and Visigoth structures underneath and after Christian reconquer, a Cathedral was built inside to preserve the site.

Inside the mosque

The beauty of serene and tranquil atmosphere inside could be felt despite the over abundant tourists (me being one of them). I could almost hear the prayer calls ringing through these tall ceilings.

Inside the mosque

The top most level of certain parts let in these stream of sunlight. What is it about me and these old mosques and Cathedral?

Inside the mosque

The entrance to the inner most part of the mosque. It is like walking through time into the era of the great Muslim rulers.

Inside the mosque

Through the columns, it is possible to see the innermost part of the mosque where Koran was read during the prayers. The columns of these inner parts were not burrowed from the old structures, but made...to signify the importance of this section.

Inside the mosque

The sacred chamber. This is the chamber where the Koran was read by Caliph during the prayers. His voice would ring through the ceiling, the voice would carry through the entire expanse of this mosque to be heard by over 40,000 people.
Imagine that!

Inside the mosque

Looking at this part of the mosque, one would never believe it is actually a structure inside the mosque. The pipe organs are still played during the ceremonies.

Inside the mosque

A view of Cordoba from the bridge...
We said goodbye to Cordoba after brief few hours visit to the old section and the mosque. There was still a roman bridge standing in the city...

Cordoba

Books and DVDs about Cordova: