1.10.11

La Mezquita

The patio de los Naranjos (Courtyard of the Oranges) and the high cathedral building inserted in the praying hall
Of the original mosque only the doors of the west side survive. Shown here is the Puerta de San Miguel comprising a lovely blend of Moorish and Late-Gothic art
The chapel of the Virgen de los Faroles and belltower in the north side of the cathedral-mosque site
Chapel of Villaviciosa
Originally a pagan temple, then a Visigothic Christian church, later a mosque and finally converted to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption after the reconquering of the city by king Ferdinand the Holy
Giant double arches with 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble and granite, made from pieces of the Roman temple which had occupied the site previously, helped support the tremendous weight of the higher ceilings
Covering 8 of the Mezquita's 19  aisles is the catholic cathedral which in itself is a marvellous place of worship but a clash with the unity of the Mezquita. When he saw it, Emperor Charles V said in dismay, "You have destroyed something unique to build something commonplace!"
High altar
Detail of the transept
Gravestone of Leopold of Austria, bishop of Cordoba
Moorish style arches versus Baroque ceiling
Column detail
Mezquita's jewel - The Mihrab, a small chapel room decorated with exquisite Byzantine mosaics of gold. Mihrabs usually show the direction of Mecca but not in this case. Because the Mezquita was built on the foundations of an earlier christian church facing Jerusalem, this mihrab faces south rather than southeast as it normally would
Dome in front of the mihrab
Elegant austerity
A sea of red and white arches and pillars
Torre del Alminar, an ancient Arab minaret turned into a bell tower
Al-Hakam II door

Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos


This medieval fortress was the usual residence of the Christian Monarchs when they stayed in Cordoba
It was constructed in 1328 at the command of King Alfonso XI the Just
Roman mosaic with the Medusa head
Interior details
Torre de los Leones
Torre del Homenaje of Gothic design
The gardens of the Alcazar are some of the most beautiful gardens in Spain with several pools
and fountains
Hiding behind soft green
In early medieval times the site was occupied by a Visigoth fortress
The fountain
Watermills on the nearby Guadalquivir powered water lifting to irrigate the extensive gardens
A magnificent tranquility of red roses
A cross in the sky
"torre del Homenaje" and  "torre de los Leones" viewed from the gardens

The Paseo de los Reyes is a walkway in the garden that has statues of the kings who lived in the Alcazar. The end of the walkway has the statues of the Catholic Kings and Columbus, because it was here that Columbus talked with Queen Isabela several times
illusion of an armed warrior
don't you turn your back on me!
The gardens boast one of the largest variety of plants in Spain. Palm trees are prominent along with the statuesque cypresses. In the oldest section of the gardens orange and lemon trees are plentiful
Christopher Columbus conversing with King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile about his project to find a direct trade route to India by sailing west
A pleasure for the eye
Coat of arms on the castle wall
encircled by massive walls

23.9.11

Architectural wonders


Hidden in corners
The Episcopal Palace
The Gate's Bridge - Arch of the Triumph
arabic influences
light and colour
co-existing in harmony

A stroll in the city


colour is the key word
Waiting to hold the title of European Capital of Culture
named after a great Spanish painter
In the Jewish district
Maimonides, a Jewish philosopher and one of the greatest Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages
A statue to his honor stands in Tiberiadus Square in the Juderia
Narrow streets in the Jewish Quarter
Old arched walls
Cobblestone alley in the Juderia
The Star of David
Faith intact through centuries
still dominates
San Bartolome ancient church
Beautiful faces in beautiful places
dusk in the city
and the Puente Romano Bridge gets all lit up
Traces of a rich historical past
Medieval walls
and Archangel San Rafael, Cordoba's patron saint
a lion adorning San Rafael's triumphal monument
San Rafael's memorial, decorated with saint images and animals figures, was erected in order to express thanks for surviving a strong earthquake
a stairway to heaven