Tour of Mezquita – Cathedral of Cordoba Spain
The Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral in Córdoba, one of Spain’s finest Islamic buildings — a top sight to visit in Andalucía topped my list of must see places in Cordoba.
If you have been following my travel through Spain this far you will know of the adventurous experience I had on reaching Seville after a long drive from Granada. But for the kind women we would have been forced spend the night in the car. Read here –> Miraculous end to Road Trip from Granada to Seville
After the night halt at Seville we set off on road trip to Coordoba.
Road Trip Seville to Cordoba
Another hectic plan for the day! After the near tiresome day at Granada and drive from Granada to Seville I was surprised to see the family all eager and full of energy for the next road trip. 141kms to Cordoba!
Rental cars are a boon particularly when travel as a family. Tickets for 4 of us in public transport could cost a lot compared the tolls we had to pay along A-4. Only worry was finding a parking space in Historic Centre of Cordoba.
We had the option of halting at Cordoba but chose to halt at Seville for one special reason. Can you guess what? If you guessed it was for Flamenco dance you are right. More about it in a later post.
The drive was uneventful but pleasant. Spring had just set in, it was mid-May. The highways lined with flowering plants made such a wonderful sight.
Mezquita – Cathedral of Cordoba History
Mezquita, it was once a mosque which now houses 16th century church. But prior to mosque there existed a church of San Vicente built during 6th century. There are some mosaic remains from that original church. Reading the history of Mezquita had my mind confused and I was not sure what to expect as I stepped into the wonder of medieval world.
The construction of Mezquita lasted 2 whole centuries. Abd ar Rahman I, the emir of Cordoba started this grand project. History mentions that The Mezquita held an original copy of Koran and an arm bone of Prophet Mohammed. This place was one of the major Muslim pilgrimage sites.
The history of Mezquita (Mosque) started in 774 BC but the history of Cathedral in Mezquita started in 13th century. Cordoba was captured from Moors in 1236, Mezquita was then dedicated to Christians but they did not do any architectural alterations to it. History states that Christians simply dedicated Mezquita to Virgin Mary and worshiped inside it.
In 1520s both the Bishop of the Cathedral (Bishop Manrique) and Carlos V (Charles V, King of Spain) took the decision to construct a cathedral inside the Great Mosque. The construction of the Cathedral of Cordoba was started under the direction of the Spanish architect Hernán Ruiz I and after his death by his son and grandson. Various small chapels have been added to Mezquita and once inside you really don’t know whether you are inside a church or mosque or both.
Tour of Mezquita Cordoba
Once inside for tour, the first impression was as if I had stepped into a forest of red and white striped columns and arches. It has 2 distinct parts – one is this mosque and another a church. An amazing place, as I passed by the columns I felt as if I was walking between different time intervals. This post has pics of the mosque part of Mezquita. I will cover the church part in another post.
It took us 2hours to complete the tour of Mezquita Cathedral of Cordoba. But this monument deserves more time. Every corner had something to say or remind of its grand history.
There are 800 red and white columns with double arches. It is not brightly lit inside and I fumbled with my camera settings. It took a few clicks and adjustments to get some decent shots. Once I did that, I focused to frame but the symmetry everywhere stumped me. The columns are topped with double arches, one is the Romansque arch and the lower one a Visgothic horseshoe arch. From one end it seemed as if the columns extended to infinity.
Prayer Hall Mihrab in Mezquita de Cordoba
The most important part, the prayer hall Mihrab, is an exquisite part of the mosque. It is a one of the most decorated part, a small room with a golden arch entrance. This part was built in 10th century by Al Hakam II. It is said that 3 thousand pounds of colored glass and enamel adorn the walls and the dome here. These were designed by Byzantine craftsmen then.
Mihrab, a semicircular niche in the wall of the mosque. It is in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and hence the direction that Muslims faced when praying.
Tour of Cathedral in Mezquita Cordoba
The entire tour took around 2 hours. If you wish to linger on you always can do that too. The transition from Muslim part of Mezquita to Christian part is beautifully done.
I suddenly crossed into so many contrasts. The most striking factor is the color. From a dark forest of red and white striped columns I stepped into bright white environ. Entire camera settings had to be changed.
The ceiling seemed to reach the sky. The concept of prayers offered by Christians and Muslims is so evident here. While the Christians feel ‘close’ to God with these heights. Muslims feel ‘small’ in front of God!
The construction of Cathedral is vertical, while the Mosque is horizontal and covers a huge area. Usually Churches and Mosques both face eastwards (facing towards Jerusalem or Mecca), the Mosque here faces southwards. That is 90degrees to that of the Church inside.
There is absolutely no match in the architectural styles and that is what makes it so unique. But at the end of the tour it was hard for me to say which place of worship looked more beautiful.
Interior of Cathedral in Mezquita
There is a display of ornate golden baroque religious iconography with Christ on the cross, plenty of relics and statues which emphasis on death and the hope of an afterlife. This is again in contrast with the interiors of mosque which does not allow for the artistic representation of the prophets, human or animal forms. It is more calligraphy I felt, which conveys messages from Koran.
Today when I see the inter religion bickering I feel this monument should be highlighted to the world. It is a supreme example of how the house of one religion shelters the faith of another religion. I tell my daughters how this building has the potential to attain religious peace in this world. May be there will come a day when people from different faiths are offering prayers together at the same time!
Mezquita Cordoba Tickets
Where to Buy Tickets with Audio Guides
Unlike Alhambra, where there is limited number of tickets, Mesquita, Cordoba has no dearth of tickets. We were there on a day trip from Seville and reached around 11AM. There were hardly 10 to 15 people ahead of us. I have not read a single instance where a tourist would have returned without being able to visit the interiors of Mezquita.
Open Timings
March – October
From 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday
From 8:30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Sundays and feast days
November – February
From 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday
From 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Sundays and feast days
Ticket Price
Adults: 8euros
10 to 14-year-children: 4euros
Below 10 years old: free
From Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., it could be possible to visit the Cathedral free, but individually and in silence. In this period of time group visit isn’t permitted.
What is the dress code for Mezquita?
Mezquita is a fully functioning Roman Catholic Church. Dress code followed are: no hats or caps and no bare shoulders or knees. Also bags bigger than a small day pack are not allowed inside. It is a no for storage for luggage or strollers.
Awesome architecture !
Wow, amazing historical monument with stunningly bright red and white columns left me spellbound.The architecture and art of the arch and the dome is such a beauty,it can make anyone awestruck and speechless.It was a feast.
Wow, left speechless at the expanse of the place and the beauty in the architecture…
Stunning pictures of mind blowing architectural grandeur!
I would love to see this in person!
Such great architecture and your pictures are magnificent!
Amazing perspective with columns and double arches! The history also sounds grand just like this construction and the period it took for building this mosquee church.
The prayer hall is quite outstanding with great architecture and designer ceiling!
Stunning! I love the domed and decorated ceiling but whole place is spectacular. I think you captured everything very well despite the challenges.
As always Indrani, I learn from your words and enjoy your photos – have a great week ahead!
Wow such a beautiful monument.The colorful dome is spectacular.
Yes very beautiful and never surpassed in the islamic world. Pity that Philips the Second build a church inside. Thanks for showing us.
Hello Indrani, what a beautiful place. Wonderful collection of images! Thanks for sharing your trip! Enjoy your week!
Brilliant photos Indrani, they are beautiful.
Interesting Post.. The Photographs depicting the Architectural Beauty of the Structures are too good.. Thanks for sharing the Post, Indrani!
No wonder.. the architecture is simply out of this world..
That's am amazign tour In… didn't know about this place at all… thanks for sharing…
That dome!! Marvellous!!!
Magnificent architecture! You have captured them so well…thanks for sharing, Indrani… 🙂
Exquisite!
Incredible place & beautiful pictures Indrani Ji !!
Beautiful shots Indrani. Such an informative post, got to learn so much about history! :')
Amazing
Reminds me of Santa Sofia in Istanbul, Turkey. It was a church and then later converted to a mosque. Beautiful architecture!
Gorgeous Gorgeous Gorgeous!
Magnificent art work. Nice post.
So rich, ornate and reeks of history. I've only seen this on various travel shows. I'm dying to see it in person. Someday I hope.
Beautiful place and pictures!!
Looks grand
Grand monument with beautiful architecture. Nice captures Indrani
Lovely architecture and great shots.Wonderful post.Thanks for sharing.
Incredible place & beautiful pictures Indrani 🙂
Beautiful architecture!
Wow! amazing shots! It's good know about its history 🙂
What an awesome and incredible place, Indrani!! And your captures are superb as always!! Such amazing detail!! Thank you so much, as always, for sharing your trips/adventures — they're the next best thing to being there myself!! Have a great week!!