Some of the more than 850 coloured granite jasper and marble pillars present in the Cordoba Mesquita. In this shot I tried to include as many pillars as I could – not an easy thing to do with the low lighting and all the movement of the people who thronged the building.
The construction of the Mezquita lasted for over two centuries, starting in 784 AD. It held an original copy of the Koran and an arm bone of the prophet Mohammed, making it a major Muslim pilgrimage site. When finished, it was the most magnificent of the more than 1,000 mosques in Cordoba.
In 1236, Cordoba was captured from the Moors by King Ferdinand III of Castille and rejoined Christendom. The Christians initially left the architecture of Mezquita largely undisturbed - they simply consecrated it, dedicated it to the Virgin Mary, and used it as a place of Christian worship. As time went by and up to the late 18 century many additions and alterations were made to the building.
Thank you so much for looking and for the comments and fav’s on yesterday’s picture.
This looks like a fascinating place. I love the history you explained in your description; so interesting and such an important piece of religious architecture.
