Spain Revealed: Córdoba’s Mezquita

Destination: Córdoba, Spain

Travel guidebook summary

Cordóba’s Great Mosque, known as la Mezquita, is one of the greatest surviving structures from the 700 years during which Islamic forces controlled the Iberian peninsula. A massive structure constructed in five stages from 785-988 by the Umayyads who had been displaced from their former capital in Damascus, it reveals a unrivaled collection of art and architecture.

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I visited Cordoba many times
I visited Cordoba many times but did not fully appreciate in until after reading this guide. I had bought the Approach guide to Angkor Wat and since bought their other books. Very detailed, very architectural. Not for the “lonley planet” crowd who wants to know where to go shopping.

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Message from the author

“One of the most fascinating things to me about this guidebook is in the discussion of the Umayyad-dynasty builders: displaced from their homeland in Damascus, they were nostalgic exiles who sought to regain what had been lost. Once you’ve got this insight, a focus of this guidebook, so many pieces of the Mezquita puzzle fall into place.”

David Raezer | Founder & Author, Approach Guides

Mezquita of Cordoba: About this Guidebook

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Guidebook Description

The Mezquita — the great mosque built from 785-988 by the Umayyads in the city of Córdoba — stands as one of the earliest and greatest monuments of Islamic Spain, or Al-Andalus. Still remarkably well preserved, the mosque’s art and architecture tells the story of early Al-Andalus: how the Umayyads, the Arabs who first rose to power, legitimized their regime and established the ruler as the rightful heir to leadership of the Islamic world from their new western outpost. Even after the Umayyads had fallen, the Mezquita survived to shape the consciousness of subsequent Islamic empires for another 700 years. It is yours to discover.

What’s in this guidebook

A mosque in six stages. The Mezquita was built in six stages, the final stage of which involved its conversion to a Christian cathedral. We trace this evolution stage by stage, so you can appreciate how the layout and appearance of the mosque changed over time.
Comprehensive look at the Mezquita’s art and architecture. We examine the defining characteristics of the Spanish Umayyad style, isolating key features and concepts that you will see again and again as you make your way through the Mezquita. Along the way, we consider the contribution of Middle Eastern prototypes.
A tour that goes deeper on the most important sites. Following our tradition of being the most valuable resource for culture-focused travelers, we provide a unique, detailed tour of the Mezquita. The tour walks you through the highlights, aided by high-resolution images and a discussion that ties it all together.
Advice for getting the best cultural experience. To help you plan your visit, this guidebook offers logistical advice and provides links to online resources. Plus, we provide our personal tips for getting the most from your experience while on location.
Information the way you like it. As with all of our guides, this book is optimized for intuitive, quick navigation; information is organized into bullet points to make absorption easy; and images are mocked up with text that explains important features.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Watch Before You Go

UNDERSTANDING THE MOSQUE

Meet the Builders: The Umayyads

Mosque as a Symbol

Early Umayyad Islamic Influences

Visigothic Christian Influences

Evolution of the Layout

Stage 1 (785-786)

Stage 2 (832-848)

Stage 3 (951-958)

Stage 4 (961-965)

Stage 5 (987-988)

Stage 6 (1523-1607)

VISITING THE MOSQUE

Tour Itinerary

1. Patio de los Naranjos

1a. Belltower-Minaret

1b. Garden

1c. Entrance to Prayer Hall

2. The Oldest Portion

2a. Ceiling

2b. Arcades

2c. Saint Vincent Remains

3. Spiritual Center

3a. Entrance to Center Aisle

3b. Maqsura Arcade

3c. Maqsura Domes

3d. Mihrab

4. The Last Extension

5. Cathedral

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Al-Andalus: The History of Islamic Spain

Spanish Umayyad Dynasty Timeline

Islam and the Mosque

Going to Granada?

Our Recommendations

Where to Stay, Eat and Shop

Packing List

About Approach Guides

Additional Info

Extras to enhance your trip

Video

Watch our quick walk-through video of the Mezquita