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Great Mosque of CórdobaGreat Mosque © Toni Castillo/Getty Images

Great Mosque of Córdoba

Córdoba, Spain. Umayyad. c. 785–786 C.E. Stone masonry.

Curator Note

"A symbol of the Umayyad glory in Al-Andalus (Spain). It is famous for its vast hypostyle hall with unique double-tiered arches (red brick/white stone) that create a sense of infinity. It reuses Roman columns (spolia). Later, a Christian cathedral was built vertically right in the middle of it, creating a jarring architectural clash."

Form

  • Hypostyle hall: forest of columns.
  • Double-arched system: horseshoe arch over lower arch.
  • Polychrome arches: alternating red brick and white stone (voussoirs).
  • Ribbed dome over the Maqsura.
  • Reuse of Roman/Visigothic columns (spolia).

Function

  • Principal mosque for the city of Córdoba.
  • Statement of Umayyad power and independence from Abbasids.
  • Center of Islamic learning and prayer.
  • Later: Catholic Cathedral.
  • To orient the faithful towards Mecca (Mihrab).

Content

  • Mihrab: niche indicating Qibla wall (direction of prayer).
  • Maqsura: screened area for the Caliph.
  • Calligraphy: Quranic inscriptions.
  • Orange trees in the courtyard (sahn).
  • The Cathedral modification: Renaissance nave inserted.

Context

  • Built by Abd al-Rahman I, the exiled Umayyad prince.
  • Córdoba was a thriving, multicultural capital.
  • Expanded by subsequent rulers.
  • Influenced by the Great Mosque of Damascus and Roman aqueducts.
  • Reconquista converted it to a church in 1236.