The mosque-cathedral of Córdoba,[1][2][3] known ecclesiastically as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption[4] and popularly as the Mosque, is the cathedral of the diocese of Córdoba located in the Spanish city of Córdoba "Córdoba (Spain)"), Andalusia.[5].
According to Islamic sources, before the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the Basilica of San Vicente was located in this place,[6][7] while excavations indicate the existence of an episcopal complex erected in the 19th century.[8][9] The Muslims would have reused part of this Christian temple[10] until the arrival of Abd al-Rahman I, who founded the Emirate of Córdoba, and built the Aljama mosque at the end. of its life, in 786. The mosque was subject to expansions during the emirate and especially during the Caliphate of Córdoba: the first caliph, Abd al-Rahman III, added a new minaret in 958, while his son al-Hakam II built the most sumptuous part, the new mihrab and the macsura, made in 971. It covered an area of 23,400 square meters, making it the second mosque largest in the world in surface area, only behind the mosque of Mecca, and only surpassed in the century by the Blue Mosque (1588). The qibla wall was not oriented towards Mecca, but 51 degrees to the south, a common practice in the mosques of al-Andalus.
In 1236, after the Christian conquest of the city by Ferdinand III of Castile, its consecration as a Christian building was carried out, although it was not converted into the cathedral of the diocese until the episcopal ordination of its first bishop, Lope de Fitero, two years later. 1523 and 1607 under the direction of the architects Hernán Ruiz I, Hernán Ruiz II and Juan de Ochoa.[12].
Currently the complex constitutes the most important monument of Córdoba and of Spanish-Muslim art, specifically emiral and caliphal art. Declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest "Asset of Cultural Interest (Spain)")[3] and Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 1984. Integrated within the historic center of the city,[13] since 1994 it was included by the public among the 12 Treasures of Spain in 2007[14] and was awarded as the best site of tourist interest in Europe and sixth in the world according to a TripAdvisor contest.[15] In 2024 reached its historical record of visitors with 2.18 million people, one of the most visited monuments in Spain.[16].
Denomination
Mosque of Córdoba
Introduction
The mosque-cathedral of Córdoba,[1][2][3] known ecclesiastically as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption[4] and popularly as the Mosque, is the cathedral of the diocese of Córdoba located in the Spanish city of Córdoba "Córdoba (Spain)"), Andalusia.[5].
According to Islamic sources, before the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the Basilica of San Vicente was located in this place,[6][7] while excavations indicate the existence of an episcopal complex erected in the 19th century.[8][9] The Muslims would have reused part of this Christian temple[10] until the arrival of Abd al-Rahman I, who founded the Emirate of Córdoba, and built the Aljama mosque at the end. of its life, in 786. The mosque was subject to expansions during the emirate and especially during the Caliphate of Córdoba: the first caliph, Abd al-Rahman III, added a new minaret in 958, while his son al-Hakam II built the most sumptuous part, the new mihrab and the macsura, made in 971. It covered an area of 23,400 square meters, making it the second mosque largest in the world in surface area, only behind the mosque of Mecca, and only surpassed in the century by the Blue Mosque (1588). The qibla wall was not oriented towards Mecca, but 51 degrees to the south, a common practice in the mosques of al-Andalus.
In 1236, after the Christian conquest of the city by Ferdinand III of Castile, its consecration as a Christian building was carried out, although it was not converted into the cathedral of the diocese until the episcopal ordination of its first bishop, Lope de Fitero, two years later. 1523 and 1607 under the direction of the architects Hernán Ruiz I, Hernán Ruiz II and Juan de Ochoa.[12].
Currently the complex constitutes the most important monument of Córdoba and of Spanish-Muslim art, specifically emiral and caliphal art. Declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest "Asset of Cultural Interest (Spain)")[3] and Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 1984. Integrated within the historic center of the city,[13] since 1994 it was included by the public among the 12 Treasures of Spain in 2007[14] and was awarded as the best site of tourist interest in Europe and sixth in the world according to a TripAdvisor contest.[15] In 2024 reached its historical record of visitors with 2.18 million people, one of the most visited monuments in Spain.[16].
Although the building functions exclusively as a Christian temple, the name used by the cathedral chapter and the city council is "Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba".[1][17] This preposition of the word mosque is due to the fact that it is by far the best-known name of the building, which is usually mentioned as "Mosque of Córdoba" or, especially for the people of Córdoba, simply "The Mosque". Furthermore, in other languages it is also known by the untranslated Spanish word "Mosque".[18].
On a more technical level, it is registered in the property registry as "Santa Iglesia Catedral de Córdoba".[19] Because in Islamic times it was the largest mosque in the city (and the second in the world), it is also known as "Aljama Mosque of Córdoba" or "Great Mosque of Córdoba",[20] in which the expression aljama mosque refers to the function of the main mosque that served as the meeting point of the city. andalusian
History
Substrate
According to Muslim sources, on the site of the current mosque-cathedral of Córdoba there was originally a Christian church dedicated to Saint Vincent the Martyr,[21] which was divided and shared between Christians and Muslims after the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.[22] With the increase in the Islamic population, the emir Abd al-Rahman I decided in 785 to buy the entire structure and demolish it[23] to build the new mosque;[24] in exchange, It allowed Christians to rebuild other ruined churches, including those of the martyrs Saint Faust, Januario and Martial, who enjoyed great devotion at the time.[25].
The historicity of these events has been discussed,[23] because the archaeological evidence is scarce and it has not been possible to verify it with events after the arrival of Abd al-Rahman to the peninsula. The account of the church being converted into a mosque, which is developed by the century historian Al-Razi "Al-Razi (Andalusian historian)"), harbors many similarities with the Muslim conquest of Syria, in particular with the construction of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. For medieval historians, these parallels served to exalt the Umayyad conquest of the peninsula and the appropriation of Visigothic Córdoba.[22][26] Another source from the century mentions a church that was built in the center of the mosque, without giving many more details.[26].
A current archaeological exhibition in the Mosque-Cathedral shows fragments of a late ancient or Visigothic building excavated by the architect Félix Hernández between 1931 and 1936, emphasizing the Christian character of the monument.[27][28][29] According to Susana Calvo Capilla, a specialist in the history of the Mosque-Cathedral, although the remains of church-like structures have been found, there is no archaeological evidence. enough that the church of San Vicente has been found. It seems that the remains would be more related to an episcopal complex than to a church.[30] Pedro Marfil, archaeologist at the University of Córdoba "Universidad de Córdoba (Spain)"), has also interpreted the remains found as an episcopal complex that perhaps housed a basilica,[31][32][7] which recent excavations seem to validate.[33][34] However, this theory was questioned by the archaeologist Fernando Arce-Sainz, who declares that none of the remains analyzed harbor Christian iconography, not even from a cemetery, that would support the existence of a church.[35] The art historian Rose Walker has criticized that Pedro Marfil is based on personal interpretations.[36] María de los Ángeles Utrero Agudo and Alejandro Villa del Castillo also defend that the evidence is not sufficient to affirm that there are ecclesiastical remains in the area.[37].
Between 2020 and 2024, archaeologists Alberto León and Raimundo Ortiz Urbano have confirmed the hypothesis of a large episcopal complex by analyzing both old and new archaeological remains,[8][9][33] highlighting that the oldest remains found after the new excavations correspond to a Roman building dated between the centuries and in an east-west direction. The following structures, with an east-northeast orientation, different from the previous one, seem to correspond to an episcopal complex, with ashlar walls and very deep foundations. From this moment on, this complex will be expanded with new structures with the same orientation. In the century a wall measuring more than 30 meters on a side was added with paintings on the walls and mosaics on the pavements, occupying what would be the ancient maximum cardo "Cardo (street)") of the Roman city. An apse, probably the bishop's reception room, and an orientalist construction technique of opus vittatum were added in the century, coinciding with the time of expansion of the Byzantine Empire. Between the end of the century and the previous apse, the previous apse was removed and an access porch with columns and flanked by exedras was built, elements similar to other episcopal complexes related to the Byzantines. In the 1930s, Félix Hernández recovered a complete column and three bases from this area, which are located in the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba.[38].
Despite doubts about the type of structure found in the substrate, it is almost certain that Abd al-Rahman destroyed the old building to build the new mosque, which had no relation to the previous construction.[23][39].
Founding Mosque of Abd al-Rahman I
The founding mosque was ordered to be built by Abd al-Rahman I, one of the last members of the Umayyad dynasty who had managed to escape from Damascus after the massacre of his family during the Abbasid Revolution and had defeated the Abbasid governor Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri in Córdoba, establishing the new independent Emirate in 756.[41]
The construction of the mosque began in 785 and was completed in less than two years.[42][43][44] This very short period of time may be due to the reuse of Roman and Visigothic pieces (carrying material), especially "Column (architecture)") columns and capitals.[43] The architect is unknown, although Roman, Visigothic and Umayyad influences have been observed in the design of the mosque. building. Among the builders were probably local craftsmen and others of Syrian origin. According to tradition and some written sources, Abd al-Rahman was personally in charge of the project, although the extent to which he influenced the design has been debated.[39][43].
The original mosque was almost square in shape, with an area of 74 x 79 square meters, divided between the ablution courtyard (sahn) to the north and the prayer hall (haram) to the south.[39][43] Because it was built on a slope, a large amount of filling had to be used to create the necessary level. The most characteristic architectural innovation, repeated in later Islamic buildings, was the use of the double arcade. Although it has been speculated that this feature evokes the palm groves of Syria, home of Abd al-Rahman, there is no evidence of this and it is possible that the technical reason was that the reused columns were not tall enough; Therefore, to give stability to this elevation, double arches were used, of which the lower, horseshoe, functions as a support, while the upper, semicircular, is the one that supports the roof.[42][44][43] This system, in addition to the alternating color and material of the voussoirs, red brick, yellowish limestone, seems to be inspired by the Roman aqueduct of Los Milagros (Mérida "Mérida (Spain)")).[42][43]
The founding mosque had four entrances: one in the center of the northern wall in the courtyard, two in the eastern and western walls respectively and the fourth in the middle of the western wall, inside the prayer hall. The latter was known as Bab al-Wuzara' (the Viziers' Gate, today known as St. Stephen's Gate) and it is likely that it was the entrance used by the emir and state officials, who worked in the adjacent Andalusian Alcázar. The exterior walls were reinforced with buttresses still visible.[43].
This first building consisted of eleven longitudinal naves facing the Guadalquivir River, whose width is identical, except for the central one, which led to the mihrab, slightly wider and the two at the ends, narrower, differences are only noticeable on a plane. These ships consisted of twelve intercolumniations that ran in the direction of the wall.
Abd al-Rahman II expansion
According to classical historiography, the growth of the city would have determined the need for an oratory (haram) with a larger capacity to be able to accommodate more worshipers during the Friday celebration, which is why Abd al-Rahman II decided to expand the mosque for the first time. The works began in 836 (although the years 833 and 848 are also cited), finishing in 852, already under the mandate of the son of Abd al-Rahman II, Muhammad I (r. 852-886). in eight more sections or bays, with a total length of 24 meters.
The architectural elements are identical to those of the initial phase: alternation of voussoirs in the arches (yellow limestone and red brick) and use of carrying materials, although as a novelty some materials carved on purpose for this extension were used, such as the eight new capitals called "de pencas". The mihrab, whose foundations were found in the basement of the Villaviciosa chapel "Villaviciosa Chapel (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), was monumentally conceived with an entrance arch supported by four columns and protruded outside the qibla wall.
This emir also carried out an intervention in the courtyard, closing it with saqqifas on the missing sides.
Other later interventions were those carried out by Muhammad I, with the creation of the macsura, the restoration of the Viziers' Gate, current Saint Stephen's Gate; his successor Al-Múndir (r. 886-888), who arranged a treasure in the mosque; while the emir Abdullah (r. 888-912) built the first sabat, an elevated passageway, which connected the mosque's mass with the Andalusian Alcázar at the other end of the street.[42].
New minaret and renovations by Abd al-Rahman III
In 929 Abd al-Rahman III established the new Caliphate of Córdoba and consolidated the new Andalusian power in the region. As part of his varied construction projects, he enlarged the courtyard of the Great Mosque and demolished the first minaret and erected a new one beginning between 951-952. caliph and an attempt to rival the Fatimid Caliphate to the east.[45] Abd al-Rahman also reinforced the northern wall of the courtyard by adding another façade in front of the old one.[43] Historical sources differ on whether the courtyard was porticoed;[46] some modern historians claim that the courtyard was porticoed at this time and was designed with alternating pillars and columns, as can be seen today. The new interventions, including the minaret, were completed in 958, as evidenced by a marble plaque that includes the name of Abd al-Rahman III as master and supervisor of the works.[39][42][43].
This minaret is currently preserved dismantled and embedded in the Christian bell tower, although its elevation is known thanks to the preserved drawings. The only graphic testimony that has come down to us is a relief found in one of the spandrels of the Puerta de Santa Catalina.
Alhakén II expansion
Coinciding with the splendor of the caliphate, Alhakén II (r. 961-976), who participated in his father's architectural projects, began the most innovative expansion during his reign in 961. He demolished the old mihrab of Abd al-Rahman II, of which remains are also visible today, and extended the prayer hall 45 meters to the south by adding twelve bays "Crujía (architecture)") with the original double-arch design. Villaviciosa (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba). Likewise, a rectangular macsura was created and topped with three ribbed domes around the new mihrab, presided over by unique multi-lobed and intersecting arches, and the columns alternate pink shafts, red jasper from Cabra "Cabra (Córdoba)"), and dark blues from the Sierra Morena of Córdoba. The materials are no longer hauled, but carved ex profeso, with the presence of stalk capitals.[47].
The domes and the new mihrab were completed in 965 and an inscription shows the names of four artisans who also collaborated in the Salón Rico of Medina Azahara. Shortly after this date, both the central dome of the macsura and the walls of the mihrab were decorated with rich Byzantine gold mosaics. According to some traditional sources such as Ibn Idari, Alhakén II wrote to the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II of Constantinople requesting mosaic experts for the task. The emperor accepted and sent a master builder with around 1,600 kilos of musivary tiles as a present. The mosaicists instructed some of the caliph's own artisans, who acquired the skill to carry out the same work, which was completed at the end of 970 or beginning of 971.[39][43] Other novelties are the double wall of the qibla, which facilitates the connection with the sabat and allows the mihrab to not be limited to a simple niche, but to open up as a small octagonal room covered with a shell-shaped dome.
Alhakén II also subsidized the construction of a new mimbar (pulpit) in 965, the construction of which took five or seven years. Unfortunately, the details of this structure and its chronology are contradicted by historical sources. Ibn Idari, for example, indicates that Alhakén had two mimbars at this time, and perhaps one of them was destroyed or replaced. However, the mimbar that was associated with the mosque was highlighted by several writers for its great craftsmanship. Made of precious woods such as ebony, boxwood and "scented" woods, it was inlaid with ivory and other colorful woods such as red and yellow sandalwood. Modern historians believe that the mimbar had wheels that allowed it to move in and out of its room.[48][49].
Almanzor expansion
Given the great continuous demographic growth of Córdoba, the hayib of Caliph Hisham II, Almanzor, decided to carry out the third and last of the expansions of the mosque between 987-988,[39][42] His expansion was the most extensive of the undertakings, affecting both the patio and the prayer room, although it was not done towards the south like the previous ones, due to the proximity of the Guadalquivir River, but towards the east. 47.76 meters, adding eight naves to the mosque that leave the mihrab off-center. Once again, the same double arch design was repeated in the new construction, although the alternation of voussoirs is only chromatic and not material since they are all made of limestone, although the red ones were painted with almagra. Hundreds of capitals were produced for the new columns, however they were simpler and less ornate due to the speed of their creation. The new expansion of Almanzor housed an area of 8,600 square meters and made the mosque the largest in the world outside of Abbasid Iraq. The new eastern wall of the temple was decorated with ten new, richly decorated exterior portals similar to those on the western wall, although they were largely restored during the 19th century. Almanzor was also famous for having stolen the bells from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and bringing them to the mosque. Although it is said that he melted them to make ceiling lamps[39], the bells were recovered by Fernando III in 1238 and returned to Santiago.[50].
After the collapse of the Caliphate of Cordoba at the beginning of the century, no further extensions were made to the mosque. The absence of authority had negative consequences in the temple, such as looting and damage during the fitna of al-Andalus.[51] Córdoba also suffered a decline, although it remained a relevant cultural center. Under the Almoravids, Cordoba craft workshops were hired to create richly decorated mimbars for important mosques in Morocco, the most famous being the mimbar of Ali Ibn Yusuf in 1137, which was inspired by the mimbar of Alhakén II of the Great Mosque.[49].
In 1146 the Christian army of Alfonso VII of León and Castile briefly occupied Córdoba. The archbishop of Toledo, Raymond of Sauvetat, accompanied the monarch and held a mass inside the mosque to "consecrate" the building.[52] According to Islamic sources, before the Christians left the city they looted the mosque, taking its ceiling lamps, the gold and silver yamur of the minaret, and rich parts of the mimbar. As a result of this looting and the previous one during the fitna, the mosque lost all its valuable furniture.[51].
In 1162, after a period of decline and continuous sieges, the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mumin ordered that Córdoba be established again as the capital of al-Andalus. To prepare for this event, his two sons and governors, Abu Yaacub Yúsuf and Abu Sa'id, ordered that the city and its monuments be restored. The architect Ahmad Ben Baso, who was later known for his work on the Great Mosque of Seville, was responsible for this restoration program.[53][51]It is unknown which buildings he recovered, although it is almost certain that the mosque was among them. It is also possible that the mimbar was restored, since it was preserved until the 1st century.[51].
Conversion into a cathedral (13th-15th centuries)
After the Castilian conquest of Córdoba in 1236, Ferdinand III of Castile converted the mosque into a cathedral and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary "María (mother of Jesus)"),[54] which gave rise to various architectural alterations. The first mass was celebrated on June 29 of that year.[52].
According to Bishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Fernando III also took the old bells from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, stolen by Almanzor, and returned them to the Jacobean sanctuary.[51][55].
Despite the conversion, this first stage as a cathedral hardly saw its architecture modified, with the creation of small chapels and Christian furniture, in addition to the opening of tombs in it.[42][51] Even the minbar of the mosque was preserved in its original room, although it is unknown if it was used (the last evidence is from Ambrosio de Morales in the century).[51] The first altar and main chapel were located under one of the skylights of Alhakén II, currently in the called the chapel of Villaviciosa "Chapel of Villaviciosa (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), without alterations in the previous structure.[56] The area of the macsura and the mihrab was converted into the chapel of San Pedro "Chapel of San Pedro (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") and the Tabernacle for the consecrated hosts was placed there.[51] The current chapel of the Concepción "Chapel of Our Lady de la Concepción (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") of the 19th century, near the western wall of the patio,[57] was originally a baptistery of the 19th century. These areas seem to have been the main centers of Christian activity in the early cathedral.[51] The mosque's minaret became a bell tower for the cathedral, with small alterations such as a cross at the top.[51][58] Other chapels were progressively created on the inner periphery of the building, many of them privately patronized funeral homes. The first on the western wall was that of San Felipe and Santiago, from the year 1258, while that of San Clemente was created in the southern part of the mosque before 1262. Likewise, some secondary altars were created, one of them dedicated to San Blas (1252) and another to San Miguel (1255), which disappeared in subsequent centuries.[51].
At the beginning of this early period of the building, the maintenance of the structure was carried out by Mudejar workers. Some of them were members of the factory, and as such staff dependent on and paid by the diocesan church, while others worked to fulfill a "labor tax" on Muslim artisans (later imposed on all guilds of that origin), which forced them to work two days a year in the cathedral. This tax was set by the Crown and was only applied in the city of Córdoba; probably to make use of Mudejar experts and alleviate the relative poverty of the cathedral chapter, which was assigned the maintenance and repair of such a monumental building. At that time, Mudejar artists were highly valued and even had a monopoly on their art in some Castilian cities such as Burgos.[51].
Major alterations (16th-18th centuries)
The greatest stylistic break in the Islamic building occurred during the 19th century, when a large Christian nave was built in the center of the old mosque, forming the new main chapel "Capilla mayor (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), under the artistic and architectural auspices of the Renaissance; This represented a total break with Islamic spatial postulates.
The work began in 1523 at the initiative of Bishop Alonso Manrique (1518-1523, son of the great commander of the Order of Santiago), who brought to Córdoba the planimetric principles of the Castilian cathedrals, since he had been bishop of Badajoz and Salamanca. The bishop's proposal was controversial and was met with opposition from the municipal council of Córdoba.[42][52][59] Finally, Emperor Charles V interceded for the work to be carried out, although he later regretted, as Bernardo de Alderete reported, with the famous phrase: "you have destroyed what was unique in the world, and you have put in its place what can be seen everywhere."[61].
The new nave of the Cathedral of Córdoba was in charge of the architect Hernán Ruiz, the Elder, who, although he developed his work under Gothic postulates with certain archaisms, introduced clearly Renaissance elements.[52] Before his death in 1547[62] he built the choir walls up to the windows and the Gothic vaults in the southern area, as well as he worked on the eastern area of the building, the one corresponding to the extension of Almanzor, adding Gothic vaults to the Islamic naves. After his death, his son Hernán Ruiz the Younger took the reins of the project and was responsible for the walls of the transept and the buttresses that support the structure.[12] After him, the project was entrusted to the architect Juan de Ochoa who, after 84 years of work, completed the nave of the cathedral with the addition of certain Mannerist aspects, as can be seen in the dome of the transept "Crucero (architecture)") built between 1599 and 1607.[52][12].
In 1589 a great storm (or earthquake)[58] caused damage to the old minaret, then the bell tower, so it was decided to remodel it and reinforce the tower.[63] A design by Hernán Ruiz III, son of Hernán Ruiz the Younger, was chosen, which fitted the original structure of the minaret inside a Renaissance tower.[58][63] Construction began in 1593,[52] and some of the northern sections of the minaret were demolished during the process; Shortly afterwards the work was interrupted, due to the expenses incurred by the construction of the new transept of the cathedral. Hernán Ruiz III died in 1606, so he could not see his work completed; The work continued, led by the architect Juan Sequero de Matilla"), who added the body of the clock, in 1616 and was completed a year later.[63] However, the new tower had imperfections and repairs had to be made in the middle of the century by the architect Gaspar de la Peña, who reinforced the tower and modified the initial design of the Puerta del Perdón, located under the tower. In 1664, de la Peña added a new dome to the tower. top of the bell tower where he had a statue of the archangel Raphael placed by the sculptors Pedro de la Paz and Bernabé Gómez del Río.[58][63] In 1727 the tower was damaged due to another storm, some ornamentations were also damaged during the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Baltasar Dreveton, a French architect, was in charge of restoring and repairing the structure for more than eight years.[63].
Modern restorations (19th-21st centuries)
In 1815, Bishop Pedro Antonio de Trevilla ordered the dismantling of the altarpiece of the chapel of San Pedro "Capilla de San Pedro (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") to expose the mihrab. Patricio Furriel was responsible for restoring its original mosaics, including reconstructing areas that had been lost. Likewise, between 1879 and 1923, repairs were carried out on the old mosque structure under the direction of Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who, among other things, removed the baroque elements that had been added to the Villaviciosa chapel and discovered the previous structures. During this period, in 1882, the temple was declared a National Monument.
Later, between 1931 and 1936, archaeological excavations were carried out in the prayer room and in the Naranjos patio directed by Félix Hérnandez.[52] All restorations since the century focused on recovering Islamic architectural elements,[51] because at that time Spanish culture began to study and recover its Andalusian monuments.[67][68].
The Mosque-Cathedral was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, and in 1994 this designation was extended to the entire historic center of Córdoba.[69] In 1991 a restoration project of the bell tower began, which was completed in 2014, allowing it to be visited, while the Renaissance transept and choir were also restored between 2006 and 2009.[52] Other restorations have continued with some chapels and exterior doors during the second decade of the century.[70].
On August 8, 2025, a fire started at 9:10 p.m. in a chapel used as a warehouse in the Almanzor expansion. The flames reached the Chapel of Expectation "Chapel of Expectation (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") and, after the action of the firefighters, the roof of this chapel collapsed due to the weight of the water.[71].
Building Exteriors
Minaret of Abd al-Rahman III
The minaret was built by Abderramán III in the 19th century, although it has been disappearing after being partially demolished and encased in the currently visible Renaissance bell tower, designed by Hernán Ruiz III and built between 1593 and 1617.[72] The original appearance of the minaret, however, was reconstructed by Félix Hernández Giménez, with the help of archaeological evidence, historical texts and representations such as the one located at the Santa Catalina Gate, where the structure appears before its reconstruction.[73]The original minaret measured 47 meters and had a quadrangular base of 8.5 meters per side.[39] Like other later Andalusian and North African minarets, it was composed of a main body and a second tower or "lantern", also square in plan, that crowned it. This second body was topped by a dome and a yamur that housed two metallic spheres of gold and one of silver (often called "apples"), decreasing in size until the top. The main body housed two stairs, built to ascend and descend through different entrances. Halfway along the route, the stairs were illuminated by three windows in horseshoe arches, decorated with voussoirs that alternated colors and surrounded by a rectangular alfiz, similar to that of the exterior doors of the mosque. This triplet of windows was repeated on the upper level, and above it, on the top floor of the first body, there was a row of nine small windows of the same shape and decoration. The edge of the first body was crowned with a balustrade of saw-shaped battlements, similar to those usually found in Syria. The lantern was decorated by a horseshoe arch on each of its faces, again alternating the colors of the voussoirs framed by an alfiz.[39][43].
Bell tower
After the Christian conquest in 1236, bells were added to call Catholic prayer, so the minaret hardly underwent any transformations in the following centuries. However, a great storm in 1589 caused a few years later, in 1593,[52]to present the new bell tower project by the architect Hernán Ruiz III.[72]During the works, a provisional belfry "Espadaña (architecture)") was made over the Puerta del Perdón to continue calling to prayer and the second body of the minaret and part of the first were demolished, preserving about 22 meters. Hernán Ruiz III died in 1606, so his work was not completed, leaving a quadrangular structure up to the level of the bells, where serlianas open on each of its faces.[58][72]The project was continued and completed by Juan Sequero de Matilla at the end of 1617; However, in 1636 it was declared that the tower threatened ruin and imminent danger, so Gaspar de la Peña was hired in 1656 to solve these structural problems, who closed the original door to the minaret and reinforced all the facades until 1660. Gómez del Río in 1663, and installed by Gaspar de la Peña a year later. At this time, its current height was reached, 54 meters, being the tallest building in the city today.[58][72].
The tower suffered serious damage during a storm in 1727 and especially during the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, whose repair works were not completed until 1763. In the century, the clock machinery that had been installed since 1747, currently in the San Clemente Museum "Museo de San Clemente (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") was removed inside.[72]From the 1990s onwards a long period began. restoration process to remove the bell ringer's house and build wooden stairs to more easily access the interior. The visit was inaugurated to the public in November 2014.[74].
The base of the tower houses the Puerta del Perdón, one of the two northern doors of the building.[72].
Courtyard of the Orange Trees
The Patio de los Naranjos is located in the northern part of the temple. It has its origins in the ablution courtyard of the Abd al-Rahman I mosque, although it was also used for teaching and holding trials. It was later expanded and renovated during the following construction stages. The first Christian testimony is located in 1263, when the Gómez de Alcázar family requested to house a tomb in "the cloister of Santa María." It was under the mandate of Bishop Martín Fernández de Angulo (1510-16) when Hernán Ruiz I remodeled the three galleries made by Emir Hisham I in the 19th century, which were divided into sections of three banked arches, while the capitals were mostly reused from the existing Islamic ones.[75].
The first references to the presence of orange trees date back to 1512, although the number and distribution are unknown, while in the century there are references to 80 orange trees, 12 cypresses, three palm trees and an olive tree.[75] The current design of the gardens and the arrangement of the trees in rows is the result of work carried out by Bishop Francisco de Reynoso between 1597 and 1601.[76].
It is a closed area 130 meters long by 50 meters wide. Its western, northern and eastern sides are surrounded by porticoed galleries and have six doors that connect the patio with the outside: the Deanes' door and the Milk shutter on its west side; the Puerta del Perdón and the Puerta del Caño Gordo to the north; and the Grada Redonda and Santa Catalina gates to the east. In these galleries, the beams and planks that made up the original coffered ceiling of the temple, from the restoration of the 19th century, are on display. Their state of conservation, relatively good as the reliefs that decorated them and part of the original polychrome were still visible, motivated their removal for better conservation and served as a model for the creation of those currently seen.[77].
Its south wall, which connects the patio with the interior of the temple, is formed by 17 horseshoe arches. These arches were originally open, making the prayer room an open space. Today only one of them, the Puerta de las Palmas, communicates with the patio. All the arches to the east of the door were bricked up after the Christian conquest to accommodate multiple chapels.[76] On the contrary, the arches to the west of the door are closed by lattices "Lattice (architecture)") of Arabic style built in 1974 by the architect Rafael de la Hoz Arderius and Víctor Ángel Caballero Ungría.[78].
The most abundant species in the Patio de los Naranjos is the one that gives its name to the enclosure: the orange tree. But it is not the only tree species present. Along with the orange trees, we can also enjoy ten palm trees, seven cypresses, two olive trees and a cinnamon tree.[79].
Although there has been evidence of this space for centuries, excavations in 2001 by archaeologist Pedro Marfil made it possible to investigate a large cistern in the subsoil of the eastern part of the patio corresponding to the expansion of Almanzor in 987-88. The cistern is about ten meters deep and has a capacity of 1,237 cubic meters of water. The stucco on the walls and even some reddish mural painting are preserved.[80] The hydraulic space is made up of nine vaulted spaces of 5 x 5 square meters that collected rainwater.[81].
List of doors
It runs through Torrijos Street. From north to south:
• - Postigo de la Leche: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. Its current appearance dates back to the first decade of the century, designed by the architect Hernán Ruiz I.[83].
• - Puerta de los Deanes: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. It was built in the century by Abderramán I.[84] Of the original door, only part of the interior front is preserved.[84].
• - Gate of Saint Stephen: It was built in the century by Abd al-Rahman I and later renovated by Muhammad I in the year 855.[85] It is the oldest door in the entire temple and served as a model for the rest of the side doors built in the Muslim era.[86] It is also known as the door of San Sebastian, the door of the Viziers or the door of Bab al-Wazara.[87].
• - Puerta de San Miguel: It was built in the expansion carried out by Abderramán II.[88] In the century the coat of arms of Bishop Juan Daza was added.[88] It is also known as the Bishops' Gate.[88].
• - Puerta del Espíritu Santo: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[89].
• - Palace Gate: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[89] Also known as the San Pedro Gate or the Paloma Gate.[89].
• - Puerta de San Ildefonso: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[89].
• - Sabat Gate: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[90] This gate connected the mosque with the old Andalusian fortress through a bridge that was demolished in the 19th century.[90].
• - Milk Shutter.
• - Deanes Gate.
• - San Esteban Gate.
• - Gate of San Miguel.
• - Palace shutter.
• - Puerta de San Ildefonso.
• - Sabbath Gate.
• - Door of the Holy Spirit.
It runs through Magistrate González Francés Street. From north to south:
• - Puerta de la Grada Redonda: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. Its current appearance, in the Churrigueresque style, dates back to 1738.[88].
• - Santa Catalina Fountain: It is a century fountain attached to the eastern wall, next to the door of the same name. It is also known as the source of Mocosillo. It consists of a large water trough, topped on its frontispiece "Fronton (architecture)") by a currently empty niche.
• - Puerta de Santa Catalina: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. It receives its name from its proximity to the old convent of Santa Catalina "Convento de Santa Clara (Córdoba)"). The lower one is made up of a semicircular arch with the key highlighted by a shield flanked by two columns that rest on the base. The alfiz created by the columns and the strong entablature houses two shields, of which the one on the left is a relief from the mosque's minaret. For its part, the upper body is organized by four columns that create blinded lintel openings, in which mural paintings, now lost, would be arranged.[91] The complex is crowned with a rounded tympanum with relief decoration on its pediment.
Inside
Hypostyle room
Originally the entire interior of the building was a large hypostyle room, used as a prayer room, with the only exception of the rooms existing in the double qibla wall. Apart from its religious use, which included the five daily prayers and the special Friday prayer, the hall was also used as an educational and sharia center during the rule of Abd al-Rahman I and his successors.[94]
The room was large and flat and was covered with wooden ceilings supported by a double arch that rested on columns.[95] These arches divided the founding mosque into eleven naves from north to south, later expanded by Almanzor to nineteen naves.[96][97] Approximately the 850 columns were made of jasper, onyx, marble, granite and porphyry.[98] In the mosque At the foundation, all the columns and capitals were reused from Roman and Visigoth buildings, although subsequent extensions, beginning with Abd al-Rahman II, incorporated new Islamic capitals that evolved from the Romans. mosque.[39][43] The double arch was an innovation that allowed a higher roof; They consist of a horseshoe arch at the bottom and a semicircular arch at the top. The famous red and white voussoirs of the arches were inspired by the Dome of the Rock[99] and are also reminiscent of the Aachen Cathedral, which were built almost at the same time. The horseshoe arch was already known in the Iberian Peninsula since the Visigothic era, for example it was used in the church of San Juan de Baños, and to a lesser extent in Byzantine and Umayyad regions of the Middle East; However, the Islamic horseshoe arch evolved with its own, more characteristic and sophisticated version. mirrors».[43].
The original roof of the mosque was made of wooden boards and beams carved and painted with decoration.[100][101][44] Original fragments have been preserved, some of which are displayed in the Patio de los Naranjos, which were discovered in the century and have allowed modern restorers to reconstruct the roof in some western sections of the mosque according to its original style.[44][100] On the contrary, the eastern naves, which belong to the extension of Almanzor, are currently covered with semicircular "chambered" vaults made in the 19th century, with the exception of the southern section, which is covered with Gothic vaults made by Hernán Ruiz I in the 19th century.[39][102] On the outside there are gable roofs covered with tiles.
Cruciform core
The main chapel, the choir and the back choir form the core of the Mosque-Cathedral. Leaving the choir you can see the chapels that surround the nave; Turning to the right, you will first find the sepulchral laudation of the Five Bishops, executed in 1554 and made of marble according to the wish of Bishop Leopold of Austria. Next is the chapel of the Dulce Nombre de Jesús, separated from the rest of the temple by a magnificent fence. This is followed by the chapel of Saint Pelagius, the chapel of Saint Thomas and the chapel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, popularly called the "chapel of the Lost Child." After the transept "Cruise (architecture)"), you reach the transept, covered by Gothic tracery decorated on the left side with busts of prophets, and on the right side with female figures, which possibly represent the virtues.
The transaltar has five arches, four destined for chapels, the fifth constituting the entrance doorway to the sacristy. Above the arches there is a cornice with grotesques and tondos with busts, and on the five tympanums you can see reliefs that represent the “Arrest”, the “Way to Calvary”, the “Crucifixion”, the “Descent” and the “Resurrection”, all of them anonymous works from a local workshop at the beginning of the century, strongly influenced by the Flemish. Next to the door of the sacristy is the chapel of San Barnabas, followed by the chapel of the Guardian Angel, which is followed by the chapel of the Presentation.
The altarpiece of the Main Chapel began construction in 1618 and was designed in the Mannerist style by Alonso Matías.[52] In 1627 the architectural work was continued by Juan de Aranda Salazar, and the altarpiece was completed in 1653.[103] The sculpture was executed by the artists Sebastián Vidal and Pedro Freile de Guevara. The original paintings were made by Cristóbal Vela and were replaced in 1715 by those of Antonio Palomino. The altarpiece is divided into three bodies flanked by composite columns. The central body houses the tabernacle at its base, executed by Pedro Freile de Guevara, while at the top there is a canvas of the Assumption. The lateral bodies house canvases of the four martyrs: San Acisclo and Santa Victoria "Victoria (martyr of the 4th century)") in the lower half and San Pelayo "Pelayo (martyr)") and Santa Flora in the upper half. The upper canvases are flanked by sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul and the central part is topped by a relief of God the Father.[64][103].
The choir stalls, located in front of the main altarpiece, were made by Pedro Duque Cornejo between 1748 and 1757.[52][65][104] The set was carved mainly in mahogany wood and presents a row of 30 chairs in the upper area and another of 23 in the lower area, all intricately decorated with reliefs, including a series of iconographic scenes. The high stall reliefs show the life of Jesus Christ on its right side and the life of the Virgin Mary "Mary (mother of Jesus)") on its left side, while the small medallions are all scenes from the Old Testament; Likewise, the low ashlar masonry presents scenes of the Cordoba martyrs. In the center of the complex in the western area is a large episcopal throne, commissioned in 1752, with a similar design to an altar.[65] The lower part of the throne houses three chairs, although the most impressive element is the representation of the Ascension of Jesus that tops it. The figure that crowns the entire complex is the sculpture of the archangel Raphael.[65][104].
• - Cruise.
• - Main Chapel.
• - Traschoro.
• - Christian arches and Moorish arches.
• - Choir.
• - Trasaltar.
• - Detail of the pulpit.
Macsura and mihrab
The prayer hall also houses a highly decorated mihrab (niche that indicates the direction of prayer) that is surrounded by the macsura (area reserved for the emir or caliph during prayer) that were built during the expansion of Caliph al-Hakam II after the year 965. The macsura is surrounded and divided by three colonnades of intersecting multi-lobed arches. While the mihrab opens in the center of the macsura, there are two side doors: on the western wall is the Bab bayt al-Mal, the "treasure door", which gave access to the caliphal treasury, currently partially occupied by the cathedral treasury; while on the eastern wall is the Bab al-Sabat, "Sabbat gate", a type of passageway for the exclusive use of the caliph that was connected through a bridge to the Andalusian Alcázar in front of the Mosque.[105].
The mihrab houses a horseshoe arch that gives access to a small octagonal room with a shell-shaped dome that supports a series of blind polylobed arches. It is the first mihrab that gives way to a small room instead of housing a niche in the wall. Under the horseshoe arch there are two pairs of small marble columns that seem to come from the mihrab of the extension of Abd al-Rahman II carried out a century before. The mihrab is surrounded by an alfiz with decorations very similar to the first designs of the mosque such as those visible in the Bab al-Wuzara, currently known as Saint Stephen's Gate; Likewise, on the alfiz, there are more blind polylobed arches.[106].
Researchers claim that the style of the mihrab mosaics was strongly influenced by Byzantine mosaics, an event corroborated by historical sources that describe how the Caliph al-Hakam II requested mosaic experts from the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II (r. 963-969), who agreed to send some craftsmen to Córdoba. Some experts have argued that the use of Byzantine mosaics may have been a desire, conscious or not, of the Umayyads of Cordoba to evoke connections with the first Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus, in particular with the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where Byzantine mosaics formed a prominent element of the decoration.[107].
The Arabic inscriptions on the mihrab mosaics are the first example of a series of political-religious inscriptions inserted into emiral and caliphal architecture.[108] The most extensive inscription on the alfiz, in golden Kufic characters on a dark background, begins with two extracts from the Quran and continues with praise for the work of the caliph:[109].
Within this rectangular inscription there is another inscription in a horizontal band above the mihrab, in dark letters on a gold background, it is Sura 59:23.[109][110].
Furthermore, on the imposts we can even find names of personalities who helped with the construction, such as the Hayib or Prime Minister Yafar al-Siqlabi.[109][110].
The qibla walls of mosques must face Mecca; However, the Mosque of Córdoba faces south, while the holy city of Islam is located to the southeast.[111][112] This orientation is due to the historical controversy over the qibla, since in al-Andalus and Morocco, the south orientation was preferred, based on a traditional hadith: «Abu Hurairah (said) that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whatever is between the east and the west is "».[113] Said to legitimize the alignment towards the south.[114][115][53] This practice also emulated the orientation of the walls of the Kaaba, in the Great Mosque of Mecca, based on a tradition that considered that the walls of the Kaaba were associated with various parts of the world; According to her, the north face of the Kaaba was associated with al-Andalus and, therefore, the Great Mosque of Córdoba was oriented to the south as if facing the north face of the Meccan sanctuary. They modified their original orientation.[115] The archaeologist Pedro Marfil indicated that it is also possible that the original structures had to be adapted to the urban limits of the late ancient city,[116]a theory that was invalidated when it was discovered in the latest excavations of the patio of the orange trees that the episcopal complex in the century had already been built on the maximum cardo "Cardo (street)") of the city.[38].
Chapels
It is made up of the Villaviciosa chapel; the Royal chapel, adjacent to the Villaviciosa chapel; and the chapel of the Conversion of Saint Paul "Chapel of the Conversion of Saint Paul (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)"), located behind the Royal chapel. All of these constructions are embedded in the Islamic naves along almost the entire northern side of what was the extension of Alhakén II.
• - Villaviciosa Chapel.
• - Villaviciosa Chapel.
• - Access to the Villaviciosa chapel.
• - Royal Chapel.
• - Royal Chapel.
From north to south:
• - Chapel of San Ambrosio "Chapel of San Ambrosio (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of San Agustín and Santa Eulalia de Mérida.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows and Saint Vincent the Martyr, also known as the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
• - Chapel of Saints Simon and Judas.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception "Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") or of the Blessed Sacrament.
• - Chapel of San Antonio Abad "Chapel of San Antón (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Trinity Chapel.
• - Chapel of San Acacio "Chapel of San Acacio (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of San Pedro and San Lorenzo.
From west to east:
• - San Bartolome Chapel.
• - Chapel of San Felipe and Santiago.
• - Chapel of Saint Teresa, also known as the Chapel of Cardinal Salazar or the Chapel of the Treasury.
• - Chapel of Saint Agnes.
• - San Clemente Chapel, which houses the San Clemente Museum.
• - Sagrario Chapel.
From north to south:
• - Chapel of San Antonio de Padua.
• - Chapel of San Marcos, Santa Ana and San Juan Bautista.
• - Chapel of San Mateo and Clean Conception of Our Lady.
• - Chapel of San Juan Bautista.
• - Chapel of Santa Marina, San Matías and the Baptistery.
• - Chapel of San Nicolás de Bari.
• - Chapel of Expectation "Chapel of Expectation (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), also called chapel of Our Lady of the O.
• - Chapel of the Holy Spirit, also called chapel of the Simancas or chapel of the Bishops.
• - Chapel of the Ancient Conception, also called Chapel of the Rosary.
• - San José Chapel.
• - Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady "Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of Santa María Magdalena "Chapel of Santa María Magdalena (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Sacristy.
From west to east:
Museums
The San Vicente museum displays some of the archaeological remains recovered from a pre-existing Christian building, which is usually identified with the ancient Basilica of San Vicente.
In the San Clemente museum "Museo de San Clemente (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") a wide variety of objects related to the monument are exhibited, such as doorways of old chapels, bells, old clock machinery, tiles, capitals, fragments of the original beams or Arabic inscriptions.
The cathedral's treasure is located in the chapel of Santa Teresa and adjoining rooms. As one of its main treasures, the cathedral guards the Custody of Arfe, carved by Enrique de Arfe. He is 2.63 meters tall and weighs more than 200 kilos. It represents a Gothic cathedral with a dodecagonal plan, it is made up of two bodies that house the man and an image of the Virgin of the Assumption inside. It underwent a restoration in 1735, when Bernabé García de los Reyes added a base and baroque decorative elements, and in 1966 the virile was decorated with diamonds.[117].
There is a collection of gold and silver peace holders, chalices and ciboriums as well as large crosses made of precious materials, one of them donated to the cathedral by Bishop Diego de Mardones in 1620. The treasure has some magnificent ivory crucifixes, the most notable being one from the century made by Alonso Cano.
Burials
Members of the Castilian Crown
Over the centuries, various members of royalty were buried in different parts of the temple:.
• - Ferdinand IV of Castile (1285-1312). In 1736 his mortal remains were transferred to the church of San Hipólito in Córdoba,[118] where they remain today.[119].
• - Alfonso XI of Castile (1311-1350). Son of the former and Queen Constance of Portugal "Constance of Portugal (1290-1313)"). In 1736, his remains were transferred along with those of his father to the church of San Hipólito de Córdoba,[118] where they currently rest.[119].
• - Juan de Castilla (d. 1245). Son of King Ferdinand III of Castile and Queen Juana de Ponthieu. He died as a newborn.[120].
• - Henry of Castile "Henry of Castile (1377-1404)") (1378-1404). Illegitimate son of King Enrique II of Castile and Juana de Sousa.[121] He was Count of Cabra and Duke of Medina Sidonia,[122] and his mother was also buried in this same temple.[121].
• - Juan Ponce de Cabrera (d. 1328). He was the great-grandson of King Alfonso IX of León, and was lord of Cabra "Cabra (Córdoba)"), half of the Garcíez castle, and the Torre de Pajares.[123] He was publicly executed in Córdoba by order of Alfonso the missing chapel of Santiago de la Mezquita-catedral,[125] where the Tabernacle chapel is currently located.[126].
• - Leopold of Austria "Leopold of Austria (rector of Salamanca and bishop of Córdoba)") (d. 1557). He was bishop of Córdoba and rector of the University of Salamanca, and was the illegitimate son of Maximilian I of Habsburg, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.[127]
Other famous burials
• - Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (1539-1616). Writer and historian born in Peru located in the chapel of the Animas "Chapel of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)").[128].
• - Pablo de Céspedes (1548-1608). Clergyman, painter and humanist writer, although the location of his remains is unknown.[128].
• - Luis de Góngora (1561-1627). Poet of the Golden Age who was buried in an urn in the chapel of San Bartolomé "Capilla de San Bartolomé (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") after his position as canon.[128].
• - Cardinal Salazar (1630-1706). Bishop of Córdoba and cardinal who built the chapel of Santa Teresa "Capilla de Santa Teresa (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") where he is buried.[128].
• - Pedro Duque Cornejo (1678-1757). Artist in charge of the choir of the Mosque-cathedral, who died two weeks before its inauguration, and was buried there.[129].
• - Pedro de Cevallos (1715-1778). First viceroy of the Río de la Plata, buried next to the Villaviciosa chapel "Villaviciosa Chapel (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").[128].
• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia category on Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
• - Official website.
• - Cervantes Virtual Center.
• - Mosque of Córdoba Official Tourism Site in Spain.
[7] ↑ a b Marfil, Pedro (2001). "Córdoba de Teodosio a Abd al-Rahmán III". In Caballero, Luis; Mateos, Pedro (eds.). Visigodos y omeyas: un debate entre la Antigüedad tardía y la Alta Edad Media. Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). pp. 117–141.
[8] ↑ a b León Muñoz, Alberto; Ortiz Urbano, Raimundo Francisco (2023). «El complejo episcopal de Córdoba: nuevos datos arqueológicos». En Chavarría Arnau, Alexandra, ed. Cambio de Era. Córdoba y el Mediterráneo Cristiano. Ayuntamiento de Córdoba. pp. 169-172. ISBN 978-84-09-47405-9.: https://www.academia.edu/96883386
[9] ↑ a b León-Muñoz, Alberto; Ortiz Urbano, Raimundo F. (2024). «El impacto del cristianismo en las ciudades de la Bética tardoantigua. El ejemplo del Complejo Episcopal de Córdoba». En Campos Carrasco, Juan Manuel; Bermenjo Meléndez, Javier, ed. Ciudades romanas de la provincia Baetica: Corpus Vrbium Baeticarum: Conventus Cordubensis et Gaditanues. CVB II-III. Editorial de la Universidad de Huelva. pp. 585-612. ISBN 978-84-19397-74-4.: https://www.academia.edu/127180696
[14] ↑ En enero de 2008, a raíz de una propuesta televisiva de Antena 3, la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba ha quedado en el primer puesto de la lista de los "12 tesoros españoles" de un total de 100 monumentos finalistas. Tras la Mezquita de Córdoba, las cuevas de Altamira en segunda plaza, la Giralda de Sevilla en tercer puesto, la Alhambra en cuarta posición y la basílica del Pilar de Zaragoza en quinto lugar. Los puestos del 6 al 12 los ocupan entre otros, el Teide, la Sagrada Familia, la Catedral de Santiago y el Guggenheim de Bilbao.«La Mezquita Catedral se alza con el título de mejor 'tesoro' de España» Archivado el 27 de septiembre de 2010 en Wayback Machine. - Diario Córdoba.: http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=373336
[22] ↑ a b Ann Christys (2017). "The meaning of topography in Umayyad Cordoba". In Anne E. Lester (ed.). Cities, Texts and Social Networks, 400–1500. Routledge.
[24] ↑ Guia, Aitana (1 July 2014). The Muslim Struggle for Civil Rights in Spain, 1985–2010: Promoting Democracy Through Islamic Engagement. Sussex Academic Press. p. 137. ISBN 9781845195816.
[26] ↑ a b Nuha N. N. Khoury (1996). "The Meaning of the Great Mosque of Cordoba in the Tenth Century". Muqarnas. 13: 80–98. doi:10.2307/1523253. JSTOR 1523253.
[27] ↑ León-Muñoz, Alberto (2024). «Félix Hernández Giménez en la arqueología de Córdoba». En Muñoz, Alberto León; Garriguet, J. A.; Gutiérrez, Carmen González, ed. Félix Hernández Giménez (1889-1975): de su tiempo y su legado. Universidad de Córdoba. pp. 140-148. ISBN 978-84-9927-844-5.: https://www.academia.edu/127023971
[28] ↑ Silverman, Helaine (2 de noviembre de 2010). Contested Cultural Heritage: Religion, Nationalism, Erasure, and Exclusion in a Global World (en inglés). Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-1-4419-7305-4. Consultado el 27 de febrero de 2021.: https://books.google.es/books?id=HCM93pyDhMEC&pg=PA63&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
[30] ↑ Capilla, Susana Calvo (29 de junio de 2007). «Las primeras mezquitas de al-Andalus a través de las fuentes árabes (92/711–170/785)». Al-Qanṭara 28 (1): 143-179. ISSN 1988-2955. doi:10.3989/alqantara.2007.v28.i1.34. Consultado el 27 de febrero de 2021.: http://al-qantara.revistas.csic.es/index.php/al-qantara/article/view/34
[31] ↑ Marfil, Pedro (2006). "La sede episcopal de San Vicente en la santa iglesia Catedral de Córdoba". Al-Mulk. 6: 35–58.
[32] ↑ Marfil, Pedro (2007). "La basílica de San Vicente en la catedral de Córdoba". Arqueología, Arte e Historia. 14: 33–45.
[33] ↑ a b León Muñoz, Alberto; Ortiz Urbano, Raimundo (2024). «La continuidad de lo sacro: los precedentes cristianos de la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba». Andalucía en la historia (82): 42-47. ISSN 1695-1956. Consultado el 13 de agosto de 2025.: https://www.academia.edu/143845050
[35] ↑ Arce-Sainz, Fernando (30 de junio de 2015). «La supuesta basílica de San Vicente en Córdoba: de mito histórico a obstinación historiográfica». Al-Qanṭara 36 (1): 11-44. ISSN 1988-2955. doi:10.3989/alqantara.2015.001. Consultado el 27 de febrero de 2021.: http://al-qantara.revistas.csic.es/index.php/al-qantara/article/view/337
[36] ↑ Walker, Rose (2016). Art in Spain and Portugal from the Romans to the Early Middle Ages: Routes and Myths. Amsterdam University Press. pp. 125–126.
[37] ↑ Utrero Agudo, María de los Ángeles; Villa del Castillo, Alejandro (2023). «Christianity: The Architecture of a New Faith (4th–7th Century)». En Monferrer-Sala, Juan Pedro; Monterroso-Checa, Antonio, ed. A Companion to Late Antique and Medieval Islamic Cordoba: Capital of Roman Baetica and Caliphate of al-Andalus (en inglés). Brill. pp. 115-117. ISBN 978-90-04-52415-6. Consultado el 26 de junio de 2024.: https://books.google.com/books?id=u-yyEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA115
[38] ↑ a b Instituto de Estudios Ceutíes (4 de junio de 2024), CONFERENCIA "Arqueología en la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba" Raimundo Ortiz Urbano., consultado el 12 de febrero de 2025 .: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbPxQMFuZjw
[39] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ o p Bloom, Jonathan M. (2020). Architecture of the Islamic West: North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, 700-1800. Yale University Press. p. 19. ISBN 9780300218701.
[41] ↑ Kennedy, Hugh (1996). Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus. Routledge. ISBN 9781317870418.
[42] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dodds, Jerrilynn D. (1992). "The Great Mosque of Córdoba". In Dodds, Jerrilynn D. (ed.). Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 0870996371.
[43] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ o p q r Barrucand, Marianne; Bednorz, Achim (1992). Moorish architecture in Andalusia. Taschen. ISBN 3822896322.
[44] ↑ a b c d e Marçais, Georges (1954). L'architecture musulmane d'Occident. Paris: Arts et métiers graphiques.
[45] ↑ Bloom, Jonathan (1989). Minaret: Symbol of Islam. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780197280133.
[48] ↑ Bloom, Jonathan; Toufiq, Ahmed; Carboni, Stefano; Soultanian, Jack; Wilmering, Antoine M.; Minor, Mark D.; Zawacki, Andrew; Hbibi, El Mostafa (1998). The Minbar from the Kutubiyya Mosque. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Ediciones El Viso, S.A., Madrid; Ministère des Affaires Culturelles, Royaume du Maroc.
[49] ↑ a b M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Minbar". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911.
[50] ↑ Manzano Moreno, Eduardo (2024). España diversa: claves de una historia plural. Serie Mayor (Primera edición. Segunda impresión edición). Crítica. p. 226. ISBN 978-84-9199-636-1. OCLC 1432693141. Consultado el 5 de agosto de 2024.: https://www.worldcat.org/title/1432693141
[51] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ Ecker, Heather (2003). «The Great Mosque of Córdoba in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries». Muqarnas 20: 113-141. ISSN 0732-2992. Consultado el 2 de marzo de 2021.: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1523329
[53] ↑ a b Bennison, Amira K. (2016). The Almoravid and Almohad Empires. Edinburgh University Press.
[54] ↑ En ausencia del arzobispo de Toledo Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, el edificio fue consagrado por el obispo de Osma Juan de Soria (Andrés Marcos Burriel: Memorias para la vida del santo rey Don Fernando III).: http://books.google.es/books?id=qkftYGH4YdsC&pg=PA65
[55] ↑ Lowney, Chris (2006). A Vanished World: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Spain. Oxford University Press. p. 116.
[59] ↑ a b c d e M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Córdoba". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911.
[67] ↑ Stubbs, John H.; Makaš, Emily G. (2011). Architectural Conservation in Europe and the Americas. John Wiley & Sons. p. 109. ISBN 9780470901113.
[68] ↑ Fairchild Ruggles, D. (2014). Roxburgh, David J. (ed.). Envisioning Islamic Art and Architecture: Essays in Honor of Renata Holod. Brill. pp. 1–21. ISBN 9789004280281.
[69] ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. «Historic Centre of Cordoba». UNESCO World Heritage Centre (en inglés). Consultado el 3 de marzo de 2021.: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/313/
[70] ↑ «Conservación | Web Oficial - Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba». Conservación | Web Oficial - Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (en inglés). Consultado el 3 de marzo de 2021.: http://mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es/conservacion/
[73] ↑ Hernández Giménez, Félix. Alminar de Abd-al-Rahman III en la Mezquita Mayor de Córdoba: genesis y repercusiones. Granada: Patronato de la Alhambra. ISBN 84-85133-05-6.
[92] ↑ Jordano Barbudo, María Ángeles (2016). «La puerta del perdón de la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba». Laboratorio de Arte: Revista del Departamento de Historia del Arte (28): 15-40. ISSN 1130-5762. Consultado el 11 de junio de 2023.: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=5706126
[101] ↑ M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Woodwork". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911.
[107] ↑ Stern, Henri (1976). Les mosaïques de la Grande Mosquée de Cordoue. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
[108] ↑ Manzano Moreno, Eduardo (2019). La corte del califa: Cuatro años en la Córdoba de los omeya.
[109] ↑ a b c Nuha N. N. Khoury (1996). "The Meaning of the Great Mosque of Cordoba in the Tenth Century". Muqarnas. 13: 80–98. doi:10.2307/1523253. JSTOR 1523253.
[110] ↑ a b Cuadernos de Madinat al-Zahra, Vol. 2. Córdoba, 1988-90.
[111] ↑ a b Bonine, Michael E. (1990). "The Sacred Direction and City Structure: A Preliminary Analysis of the Islamic Cities of Morocco". Muqarnas. 7: 50–72. doi:10.2307/1523121. JSTOR 1523121.
[112] ↑ a b King, David A. (1995). "The Orientation of Medieval Islamic Religious Architecture and Cities". Journal for the History of Astronomy. 26 (3): 253–274. doi:10.1177/002182869502600305. S2CID 117528323.
[114] ↑ Salmon, Xavier (2018). Maroc Almoravide et Almohade: Architecture et décors au temps des conquérants, 1055-1269. Paris: LienArt.
[115] ↑ a b Wilbaux, Quentin (2001). La médina de Marrakech: Formation des espaces urbains d'une ancienne capitale du Maroc. Paris: L'Harmattan. ISBN 2747523888.
Although the building functions exclusively as a Christian temple, the name used by the cathedral chapter and the city council is "Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba".[1][17] This preposition of the word mosque is due to the fact that it is by far the best-known name of the building, which is usually mentioned as "Mosque of Córdoba" or, especially for the people of Córdoba, simply "The Mosque". Furthermore, in other languages it is also known by the untranslated Spanish word "Mosque".[18].
On a more technical level, it is registered in the property registry as "Santa Iglesia Catedral de Córdoba".[19] Because in Islamic times it was the largest mosque in the city (and the second in the world), it is also known as "Aljama Mosque of Córdoba" or "Great Mosque of Córdoba",[20] in which the expression aljama mosque refers to the function of the main mosque that served as the meeting point of the city. andalusian
History
Substrate
According to Muslim sources, on the site of the current mosque-cathedral of Córdoba there was originally a Christian church dedicated to Saint Vincent the Martyr,[21] which was divided and shared between Christians and Muslims after the Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula.[22] With the increase in the Islamic population, the emir Abd al-Rahman I decided in 785 to buy the entire structure and demolish it[23] to build the new mosque;[24] in exchange, It allowed Christians to rebuild other ruined churches, including those of the martyrs Saint Faust, Januario and Martial, who enjoyed great devotion at the time.[25].
The historicity of these events has been discussed,[23] because the archaeological evidence is scarce and it has not been possible to verify it with events after the arrival of Abd al-Rahman to the peninsula. The account of the church being converted into a mosque, which is developed by the century historian Al-Razi "Al-Razi (Andalusian historian)"), harbors many similarities with the Muslim conquest of Syria, in particular with the construction of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. For medieval historians, these parallels served to exalt the Umayyad conquest of the peninsula and the appropriation of Visigothic Córdoba.[22][26] Another source from the century mentions a church that was built in the center of the mosque, without giving many more details.[26].
A current archaeological exhibition in the Mosque-Cathedral shows fragments of a late ancient or Visigothic building excavated by the architect Félix Hernández between 1931 and 1936, emphasizing the Christian character of the monument.[27][28][29] According to Susana Calvo Capilla, a specialist in the history of the Mosque-Cathedral, although the remains of church-like structures have been found, there is no archaeological evidence. enough that the church of San Vicente has been found. It seems that the remains would be more related to an episcopal complex than to a church.[30] Pedro Marfil, archaeologist at the University of Córdoba "Universidad de Córdoba (Spain)"), has also interpreted the remains found as an episcopal complex that perhaps housed a basilica,[31][32][7] which recent excavations seem to validate.[33][34] However, this theory was questioned by the archaeologist Fernando Arce-Sainz, who declares that none of the remains analyzed harbor Christian iconography, not even from a cemetery, that would support the existence of a church.[35] The art historian Rose Walker has criticized that Pedro Marfil is based on personal interpretations.[36] María de los Ángeles Utrero Agudo and Alejandro Villa del Castillo also defend that the evidence is not sufficient to affirm that there are ecclesiastical remains in the area.[37].
Between 2020 and 2024, archaeologists Alberto León and Raimundo Ortiz Urbano have confirmed the hypothesis of a large episcopal complex by analyzing both old and new archaeological remains,[8][9][33] highlighting that the oldest remains found after the new excavations correspond to a Roman building dated between the centuries and in an east-west direction. The following structures, with an east-northeast orientation, different from the previous one, seem to correspond to an episcopal complex, with ashlar walls and very deep foundations. From this moment on, this complex will be expanded with new structures with the same orientation. In the century a wall measuring more than 30 meters on a side was added with paintings on the walls and mosaics on the pavements, occupying what would be the ancient maximum cardo "Cardo (street)") of the Roman city. An apse, probably the bishop's reception room, and an orientalist construction technique of opus vittatum were added in the century, coinciding with the time of expansion of the Byzantine Empire. Between the end of the century and the previous apse, the previous apse was removed and an access porch with columns and flanked by exedras was built, elements similar to other episcopal complexes related to the Byzantines. In the 1930s, Félix Hernández recovered a complete column and three bases from this area, which are located in the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba.[38].
Despite doubts about the type of structure found in the substrate, it is almost certain that Abd al-Rahman destroyed the old building to build the new mosque, which had no relation to the previous construction.[23][39].
Founding Mosque of Abd al-Rahman I
The founding mosque was ordered to be built by Abd al-Rahman I, one of the last members of the Umayyad dynasty who had managed to escape from Damascus after the massacre of his family during the Abbasid Revolution and had defeated the Abbasid governor Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri in Córdoba, establishing the new independent Emirate in 756.[41]
The construction of the mosque began in 785 and was completed in less than two years.[42][43][44] This very short period of time may be due to the reuse of Roman and Visigothic pieces (carrying material), especially "Column (architecture)") columns and capitals.[43] The architect is unknown, although Roman, Visigothic and Umayyad influences have been observed in the design of the mosque. building. Among the builders were probably local craftsmen and others of Syrian origin. According to tradition and some written sources, Abd al-Rahman was personally in charge of the project, although the extent to which he influenced the design has been debated.[39][43].
The original mosque was almost square in shape, with an area of 74 x 79 square meters, divided between the ablution courtyard (sahn) to the north and the prayer hall (haram) to the south.[39][43] Because it was built on a slope, a large amount of filling had to be used to create the necessary level. The most characteristic architectural innovation, repeated in later Islamic buildings, was the use of the double arcade. Although it has been speculated that this feature evokes the palm groves of Syria, home of Abd al-Rahman, there is no evidence of this and it is possible that the technical reason was that the reused columns were not tall enough; Therefore, to give stability to this elevation, double arches were used, of which the lower, horseshoe, functions as a support, while the upper, semicircular, is the one that supports the roof.[42][44][43] This system, in addition to the alternating color and material of the voussoirs, red brick, yellowish limestone, seems to be inspired by the Roman aqueduct of Los Milagros (Mérida "Mérida (Spain)")).[42][43]
The founding mosque had four entrances: one in the center of the northern wall in the courtyard, two in the eastern and western walls respectively and the fourth in the middle of the western wall, inside the prayer hall. The latter was known as Bab al-Wuzara' (the Viziers' Gate, today known as St. Stephen's Gate) and it is likely that it was the entrance used by the emir and state officials, who worked in the adjacent Andalusian Alcázar. The exterior walls were reinforced with buttresses still visible.[43].
This first building consisted of eleven longitudinal naves facing the Guadalquivir River, whose width is identical, except for the central one, which led to the mihrab, slightly wider and the two at the ends, narrower, differences are only noticeable on a plane. These ships consisted of twelve intercolumniations that ran in the direction of the wall.
Abd al-Rahman II expansion
According to classical historiography, the growth of the city would have determined the need for an oratory (haram) with a larger capacity to be able to accommodate more worshipers during the Friday celebration, which is why Abd al-Rahman II decided to expand the mosque for the first time. The works began in 836 (although the years 833 and 848 are also cited), finishing in 852, already under the mandate of the son of Abd al-Rahman II, Muhammad I (r. 852-886). in eight more sections or bays, with a total length of 24 meters.
The architectural elements are identical to those of the initial phase: alternation of voussoirs in the arches (yellow limestone and red brick) and use of carrying materials, although as a novelty some materials carved on purpose for this extension were used, such as the eight new capitals called "de pencas". The mihrab, whose foundations were found in the basement of the Villaviciosa chapel "Villaviciosa Chapel (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), was monumentally conceived with an entrance arch supported by four columns and protruded outside the qibla wall.
This emir also carried out an intervention in the courtyard, closing it with saqqifas on the missing sides.
Other later interventions were those carried out by Muhammad I, with the creation of the macsura, the restoration of the Viziers' Gate, current Saint Stephen's Gate; his successor Al-Múndir (r. 886-888), who arranged a treasure in the mosque; while the emir Abdullah (r. 888-912) built the first sabat, an elevated passageway, which connected the mosque's mass with the Andalusian Alcázar at the other end of the street.[42].
New minaret and renovations by Abd al-Rahman III
In 929 Abd al-Rahman III established the new Caliphate of Córdoba and consolidated the new Andalusian power in the region. As part of his varied construction projects, he enlarged the courtyard of the Great Mosque and demolished the first minaret and erected a new one beginning between 951-952. caliph and an attempt to rival the Fatimid Caliphate to the east.[45] Abd al-Rahman also reinforced the northern wall of the courtyard by adding another façade in front of the old one.[43] Historical sources differ on whether the courtyard was porticoed;[46] some modern historians claim that the courtyard was porticoed at this time and was designed with alternating pillars and columns, as can be seen today. The new interventions, including the minaret, were completed in 958, as evidenced by a marble plaque that includes the name of Abd al-Rahman III as master and supervisor of the works.[39][42][43].
This minaret is currently preserved dismantled and embedded in the Christian bell tower, although its elevation is known thanks to the preserved drawings. The only graphic testimony that has come down to us is a relief found in one of the spandrels of the Puerta de Santa Catalina.
Alhakén II expansion
Coinciding with the splendor of the caliphate, Alhakén II (r. 961-976), who participated in his father's architectural projects, began the most innovative expansion during his reign in 961. He demolished the old mihrab of Abd al-Rahman II, of which remains are also visible today, and extended the prayer hall 45 meters to the south by adding twelve bays "Crujía (architecture)") with the original double-arch design. Villaviciosa (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba). Likewise, a rectangular macsura was created and topped with three ribbed domes around the new mihrab, presided over by unique multi-lobed and intersecting arches, and the columns alternate pink shafts, red jasper from Cabra "Cabra (Córdoba)"), and dark blues from the Sierra Morena of Córdoba. The materials are no longer hauled, but carved ex profeso, with the presence of stalk capitals.[47].
The domes and the new mihrab were completed in 965 and an inscription shows the names of four artisans who also collaborated in the Salón Rico of Medina Azahara. Shortly after this date, both the central dome of the macsura and the walls of the mihrab were decorated with rich Byzantine gold mosaics. According to some traditional sources such as Ibn Idari, Alhakén II wrote to the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II of Constantinople requesting mosaic experts for the task. The emperor accepted and sent a master builder with around 1,600 kilos of musivary tiles as a present. The mosaicists instructed some of the caliph's own artisans, who acquired the skill to carry out the same work, which was completed at the end of 970 or beginning of 971.[39][43] Other novelties are the double wall of the qibla, which facilitates the connection with the sabat and allows the mihrab to not be limited to a simple niche, but to open up as a small octagonal room covered with a shell-shaped dome.
Alhakén II also subsidized the construction of a new mimbar (pulpit) in 965, the construction of which took five or seven years. Unfortunately, the details of this structure and its chronology are contradicted by historical sources. Ibn Idari, for example, indicates that Alhakén had two mimbars at this time, and perhaps one of them was destroyed or replaced. However, the mimbar that was associated with the mosque was highlighted by several writers for its great craftsmanship. Made of precious woods such as ebony, boxwood and "scented" woods, it was inlaid with ivory and other colorful woods such as red and yellow sandalwood. Modern historians believe that the mimbar had wheels that allowed it to move in and out of its room.[48][49].
Almanzor expansion
Given the great continuous demographic growth of Córdoba, the hayib of Caliph Hisham II, Almanzor, decided to carry out the third and last of the expansions of the mosque between 987-988,[39][42] His expansion was the most extensive of the undertakings, affecting both the patio and the prayer room, although it was not done towards the south like the previous ones, due to the proximity of the Guadalquivir River, but towards the east. 47.76 meters, adding eight naves to the mosque that leave the mihrab off-center. Once again, the same double arch design was repeated in the new construction, although the alternation of voussoirs is only chromatic and not material since they are all made of limestone, although the red ones were painted with almagra. Hundreds of capitals were produced for the new columns, however they were simpler and less ornate due to the speed of their creation. The new expansion of Almanzor housed an area of 8,600 square meters and made the mosque the largest in the world outside of Abbasid Iraq. The new eastern wall of the temple was decorated with ten new, richly decorated exterior portals similar to those on the western wall, although they were largely restored during the 19th century. Almanzor was also famous for having stolen the bells from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and bringing them to the mosque. Although it is said that he melted them to make ceiling lamps[39], the bells were recovered by Fernando III in 1238 and returned to Santiago.[50].
After the collapse of the Caliphate of Cordoba at the beginning of the century, no further extensions were made to the mosque. The absence of authority had negative consequences in the temple, such as looting and damage during the fitna of al-Andalus.[51] Córdoba also suffered a decline, although it remained a relevant cultural center. Under the Almoravids, Cordoba craft workshops were hired to create richly decorated mimbars for important mosques in Morocco, the most famous being the mimbar of Ali Ibn Yusuf in 1137, which was inspired by the mimbar of Alhakén II of the Great Mosque.[49].
In 1146 the Christian army of Alfonso VII of León and Castile briefly occupied Córdoba. The archbishop of Toledo, Raymond of Sauvetat, accompanied the monarch and held a mass inside the mosque to "consecrate" the building.[52] According to Islamic sources, before the Christians left the city they looted the mosque, taking its ceiling lamps, the gold and silver yamur of the minaret, and rich parts of the mimbar. As a result of this looting and the previous one during the fitna, the mosque lost all its valuable furniture.[51].
In 1162, after a period of decline and continuous sieges, the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mumin ordered that Córdoba be established again as the capital of al-Andalus. To prepare for this event, his two sons and governors, Abu Yaacub Yúsuf and Abu Sa'id, ordered that the city and its monuments be restored. The architect Ahmad Ben Baso, who was later known for his work on the Great Mosque of Seville, was responsible for this restoration program.[53][51]It is unknown which buildings he recovered, although it is almost certain that the mosque was among them. It is also possible that the mimbar was restored, since it was preserved until the 1st century.[51].
Conversion into a cathedral (13th-15th centuries)
After the Castilian conquest of Córdoba in 1236, Ferdinand III of Castile converted the mosque into a cathedral and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary "María (mother of Jesus)"),[54] which gave rise to various architectural alterations. The first mass was celebrated on June 29 of that year.[52].
According to Bishop Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, Fernando III also took the old bells from the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, stolen by Almanzor, and returned them to the Jacobean sanctuary.[51][55].
Despite the conversion, this first stage as a cathedral hardly saw its architecture modified, with the creation of small chapels and Christian furniture, in addition to the opening of tombs in it.[42][51] Even the minbar of the mosque was preserved in its original room, although it is unknown if it was used (the last evidence is from Ambrosio de Morales in the century).[51] The first altar and main chapel were located under one of the skylights of Alhakén II, currently in the called the chapel of Villaviciosa "Chapel of Villaviciosa (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), without alterations in the previous structure.[56] The area of the macsura and the mihrab was converted into the chapel of San Pedro "Chapel of San Pedro (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") and the Tabernacle for the consecrated hosts was placed there.[51] The current chapel of the Concepción "Chapel of Our Lady de la Concepción (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") of the 19th century, near the western wall of the patio,[57] was originally a baptistery of the 19th century. These areas seem to have been the main centers of Christian activity in the early cathedral.[51] The mosque's minaret became a bell tower for the cathedral, with small alterations such as a cross at the top.[51][58] Other chapels were progressively created on the inner periphery of the building, many of them privately patronized funeral homes. The first on the western wall was that of San Felipe and Santiago, from the year 1258, while that of San Clemente was created in the southern part of the mosque before 1262. Likewise, some secondary altars were created, one of them dedicated to San Blas (1252) and another to San Miguel (1255), which disappeared in subsequent centuries.[51].
At the beginning of this early period of the building, the maintenance of the structure was carried out by Mudejar workers. Some of them were members of the factory, and as such staff dependent on and paid by the diocesan church, while others worked to fulfill a "labor tax" on Muslim artisans (later imposed on all guilds of that origin), which forced them to work two days a year in the cathedral. This tax was set by the Crown and was only applied in the city of Córdoba; probably to make use of Mudejar experts and alleviate the relative poverty of the cathedral chapter, which was assigned the maintenance and repair of such a monumental building. At that time, Mudejar artists were highly valued and even had a monopoly on their art in some Castilian cities such as Burgos.[51].
Major alterations (16th-18th centuries)
The greatest stylistic break in the Islamic building occurred during the 19th century, when a large Christian nave was built in the center of the old mosque, forming the new main chapel "Capilla mayor (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), under the artistic and architectural auspices of the Renaissance; This represented a total break with Islamic spatial postulates.
The work began in 1523 at the initiative of Bishop Alonso Manrique (1518-1523, son of the great commander of the Order of Santiago), who brought to Córdoba the planimetric principles of the Castilian cathedrals, since he had been bishop of Badajoz and Salamanca. The bishop's proposal was controversial and was met with opposition from the municipal council of Córdoba.[42][52][59] Finally, Emperor Charles V interceded for the work to be carried out, although he later regretted, as Bernardo de Alderete reported, with the famous phrase: "you have destroyed what was unique in the world, and you have put in its place what can be seen everywhere."[61].
The new nave of the Cathedral of Córdoba was in charge of the architect Hernán Ruiz, the Elder, who, although he developed his work under Gothic postulates with certain archaisms, introduced clearly Renaissance elements.[52] Before his death in 1547[62] he built the choir walls up to the windows and the Gothic vaults in the southern area, as well as he worked on the eastern area of the building, the one corresponding to the extension of Almanzor, adding Gothic vaults to the Islamic naves. After his death, his son Hernán Ruiz the Younger took the reins of the project and was responsible for the walls of the transept and the buttresses that support the structure.[12] After him, the project was entrusted to the architect Juan de Ochoa who, after 84 years of work, completed the nave of the cathedral with the addition of certain Mannerist aspects, as can be seen in the dome of the transept "Crucero (architecture)") built between 1599 and 1607.[52][12].
In 1589 a great storm (or earthquake)[58] caused damage to the old minaret, then the bell tower, so it was decided to remodel it and reinforce the tower.[63] A design by Hernán Ruiz III, son of Hernán Ruiz the Younger, was chosen, which fitted the original structure of the minaret inside a Renaissance tower.[58][63] Construction began in 1593,[52] and some of the northern sections of the minaret were demolished during the process; Shortly afterwards the work was interrupted, due to the expenses incurred by the construction of the new transept of the cathedral. Hernán Ruiz III died in 1606, so he could not see his work completed; The work continued, led by the architect Juan Sequero de Matilla"), who added the body of the clock, in 1616 and was completed a year later.[63] However, the new tower had imperfections and repairs had to be made in the middle of the century by the architect Gaspar de la Peña, who reinforced the tower and modified the initial design of the Puerta del Perdón, located under the tower. In 1664, de la Peña added a new dome to the tower. top of the bell tower where he had a statue of the archangel Raphael placed by the sculptors Pedro de la Paz and Bernabé Gómez del Río.[58][63] In 1727 the tower was damaged due to another storm, some ornamentations were also damaged during the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755. Baltasar Dreveton, a French architect, was in charge of restoring and repairing the structure for more than eight years.[63].
Modern restorations (19th-21st centuries)
In 1815, Bishop Pedro Antonio de Trevilla ordered the dismantling of the altarpiece of the chapel of San Pedro "Capilla de San Pedro (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") to expose the mihrab. Patricio Furriel was responsible for restoring its original mosaics, including reconstructing areas that had been lost. Likewise, between 1879 and 1923, repairs were carried out on the old mosque structure under the direction of Ricardo Velázquez Bosco, who, among other things, removed the baroque elements that had been added to the Villaviciosa chapel and discovered the previous structures. During this period, in 1882, the temple was declared a National Monument.
Later, between 1931 and 1936, archaeological excavations were carried out in the prayer room and in the Naranjos patio directed by Félix Hérnandez.[52] All restorations since the century focused on recovering Islamic architectural elements,[51] because at that time Spanish culture began to study and recover its Andalusian monuments.[67][68].
The Mosque-Cathedral was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, and in 1994 this designation was extended to the entire historic center of Córdoba.[69] In 1991 a restoration project of the bell tower began, which was completed in 2014, allowing it to be visited, while the Renaissance transept and choir were also restored between 2006 and 2009.[52] Other restorations have continued with some chapels and exterior doors during the second decade of the century.[70].
On August 8, 2025, a fire started at 9:10 p.m. in a chapel used as a warehouse in the Almanzor expansion. The flames reached the Chapel of Expectation "Chapel of Expectation (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") and, after the action of the firefighters, the roof of this chapel collapsed due to the weight of the water.[71].
Building Exteriors
Minaret of Abd al-Rahman III
The minaret was built by Abderramán III in the 19th century, although it has been disappearing after being partially demolished and encased in the currently visible Renaissance bell tower, designed by Hernán Ruiz III and built between 1593 and 1617.[72] The original appearance of the minaret, however, was reconstructed by Félix Hernández Giménez, with the help of archaeological evidence, historical texts and representations such as the one located at the Santa Catalina Gate, where the structure appears before its reconstruction.[73]The original minaret measured 47 meters and had a quadrangular base of 8.5 meters per side.[39] Like other later Andalusian and North African minarets, it was composed of a main body and a second tower or "lantern", also square in plan, that crowned it. This second body was topped by a dome and a yamur that housed two metallic spheres of gold and one of silver (often called "apples"), decreasing in size until the top. The main body housed two stairs, built to ascend and descend through different entrances. Halfway along the route, the stairs were illuminated by three windows in horseshoe arches, decorated with voussoirs that alternated colors and surrounded by a rectangular alfiz, similar to that of the exterior doors of the mosque. This triplet of windows was repeated on the upper level, and above it, on the top floor of the first body, there was a row of nine small windows of the same shape and decoration. The edge of the first body was crowned with a balustrade of saw-shaped battlements, similar to those usually found in Syria. The lantern was decorated by a horseshoe arch on each of its faces, again alternating the colors of the voussoirs framed by an alfiz.[39][43].
Bell tower
After the Christian conquest in 1236, bells were added to call Catholic prayer, so the minaret hardly underwent any transformations in the following centuries. However, a great storm in 1589 caused a few years later, in 1593,[52]to present the new bell tower project by the architect Hernán Ruiz III.[72]During the works, a provisional belfry "Espadaña (architecture)") was made over the Puerta del Perdón to continue calling to prayer and the second body of the minaret and part of the first were demolished, preserving about 22 meters. Hernán Ruiz III died in 1606, so his work was not completed, leaving a quadrangular structure up to the level of the bells, where serlianas open on each of its faces.[58][72]The project was continued and completed by Juan Sequero de Matilla at the end of 1617; However, in 1636 it was declared that the tower threatened ruin and imminent danger, so Gaspar de la Peña was hired in 1656 to solve these structural problems, who closed the original door to the minaret and reinforced all the facades until 1660. Gómez del Río in 1663, and installed by Gaspar de la Peña a year later. At this time, its current height was reached, 54 meters, being the tallest building in the city today.[58][72].
The tower suffered serious damage during a storm in 1727 and especially during the Lisbon earthquake of 1755, whose repair works were not completed until 1763. In the century, the clock machinery that had been installed since 1747, currently in the San Clemente Museum "Museo de San Clemente (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") was removed inside.[72]From the 1990s onwards a long period began. restoration process to remove the bell ringer's house and build wooden stairs to more easily access the interior. The visit was inaugurated to the public in November 2014.[74].
The base of the tower houses the Puerta del Perdón, one of the two northern doors of the building.[72].
Courtyard of the Orange Trees
The Patio de los Naranjos is located in the northern part of the temple. It has its origins in the ablution courtyard of the Abd al-Rahman I mosque, although it was also used for teaching and holding trials. It was later expanded and renovated during the following construction stages. The first Christian testimony is located in 1263, when the Gómez de Alcázar family requested to house a tomb in "the cloister of Santa María." It was under the mandate of Bishop Martín Fernández de Angulo (1510-16) when Hernán Ruiz I remodeled the three galleries made by Emir Hisham I in the 19th century, which were divided into sections of three banked arches, while the capitals were mostly reused from the existing Islamic ones.[75].
The first references to the presence of orange trees date back to 1512, although the number and distribution are unknown, while in the century there are references to 80 orange trees, 12 cypresses, three palm trees and an olive tree.[75] The current design of the gardens and the arrangement of the trees in rows is the result of work carried out by Bishop Francisco de Reynoso between 1597 and 1601.[76].
It is a closed area 130 meters long by 50 meters wide. Its western, northern and eastern sides are surrounded by porticoed galleries and have six doors that connect the patio with the outside: the Deanes' door and the Milk shutter on its west side; the Puerta del Perdón and the Puerta del Caño Gordo to the north; and the Grada Redonda and Santa Catalina gates to the east. In these galleries, the beams and planks that made up the original coffered ceiling of the temple, from the restoration of the 19th century, are on display. Their state of conservation, relatively good as the reliefs that decorated them and part of the original polychrome were still visible, motivated their removal for better conservation and served as a model for the creation of those currently seen.[77].
Its south wall, which connects the patio with the interior of the temple, is formed by 17 horseshoe arches. These arches were originally open, making the prayer room an open space. Today only one of them, the Puerta de las Palmas, communicates with the patio. All the arches to the east of the door were bricked up after the Christian conquest to accommodate multiple chapels.[76] On the contrary, the arches to the west of the door are closed by lattices "Lattice (architecture)") of Arabic style built in 1974 by the architect Rafael de la Hoz Arderius and Víctor Ángel Caballero Ungría.[78].
The most abundant species in the Patio de los Naranjos is the one that gives its name to the enclosure: the orange tree. But it is not the only tree species present. Along with the orange trees, we can also enjoy ten palm trees, seven cypresses, two olive trees and a cinnamon tree.[79].
Although there has been evidence of this space for centuries, excavations in 2001 by archaeologist Pedro Marfil made it possible to investigate a large cistern in the subsoil of the eastern part of the patio corresponding to the expansion of Almanzor in 987-88. The cistern is about ten meters deep and has a capacity of 1,237 cubic meters of water. The stucco on the walls and even some reddish mural painting are preserved.[80] The hydraulic space is made up of nine vaulted spaces of 5 x 5 square meters that collected rainwater.[81].
List of doors
It runs through Torrijos Street. From north to south:
• - Postigo de la Leche: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. Its current appearance dates back to the first decade of the century, designed by the architect Hernán Ruiz I.[83].
• - Puerta de los Deanes: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. It was built in the century by Abderramán I.[84] Of the original door, only part of the interior front is preserved.[84].
• - Gate of Saint Stephen: It was built in the century by Abd al-Rahman I and later renovated by Muhammad I in the year 855.[85] It is the oldest door in the entire temple and served as a model for the rest of the side doors built in the Muslim era.[86] It is also known as the door of San Sebastian, the door of the Viziers or the door of Bab al-Wazara.[87].
• - Puerta de San Miguel: It was built in the expansion carried out by Abderramán II.[88] In the century the coat of arms of Bishop Juan Daza was added.[88] It is also known as the Bishops' Gate.[88].
• - Puerta del Espíritu Santo: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[89].
• - Palace Gate: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[89] Also known as the San Pedro Gate or the Paloma Gate.[89].
• - Puerta de San Ildefonso: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[89].
• - Sabat Gate: It was built in the expansion carried out by Alhakén II.[90] This gate connected the mosque with the old Andalusian fortress through a bridge that was demolished in the 19th century.[90].
• - Milk Shutter.
• - Deanes Gate.
• - San Esteban Gate.
• - Gate of San Miguel.
• - Palace shutter.
• - Puerta de San Ildefonso.
• - Sabbath Gate.
• - Door of the Holy Spirit.
It runs through Magistrate González Francés Street. From north to south:
• - Puerta de la Grada Redonda: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. Its current appearance, in the Churrigueresque style, dates back to 1738.[88].
• - Santa Catalina Fountain: It is a century fountain attached to the eastern wall, next to the door of the same name. It is also known as the source of Mocosillo. It consists of a large water trough, topped on its frontispiece "Fronton (architecture)") by a currently empty niche.
• - Puerta de Santa Catalina: It is one of the access doors to the Patio de los Naranjos. It receives its name from its proximity to the old convent of Santa Catalina "Convento de Santa Clara (Córdoba)"). The lower one is made up of a semicircular arch with the key highlighted by a shield flanked by two columns that rest on the base. The alfiz created by the columns and the strong entablature houses two shields, of which the one on the left is a relief from the mosque's minaret. For its part, the upper body is organized by four columns that create blinded lintel openings, in which mural paintings, now lost, would be arranged.[91] The complex is crowned with a rounded tympanum with relief decoration on its pediment.
Inside
Hypostyle room
Originally the entire interior of the building was a large hypostyle room, used as a prayer room, with the only exception of the rooms existing in the double qibla wall. Apart from its religious use, which included the five daily prayers and the special Friday prayer, the hall was also used as an educational and sharia center during the rule of Abd al-Rahman I and his successors.[94]
The room was large and flat and was covered with wooden ceilings supported by a double arch that rested on columns.[95] These arches divided the founding mosque into eleven naves from north to south, later expanded by Almanzor to nineteen naves.[96][97] Approximately the 850 columns were made of jasper, onyx, marble, granite and porphyry.[98] In the mosque At the foundation, all the columns and capitals were reused from Roman and Visigoth buildings, although subsequent extensions, beginning with Abd al-Rahman II, incorporated new Islamic capitals that evolved from the Romans. mosque.[39][43] The double arch was an innovation that allowed a higher roof; They consist of a horseshoe arch at the bottom and a semicircular arch at the top. The famous red and white voussoirs of the arches were inspired by the Dome of the Rock[99] and are also reminiscent of the Aachen Cathedral, which were built almost at the same time. The horseshoe arch was already known in the Iberian Peninsula since the Visigothic era, for example it was used in the church of San Juan de Baños, and to a lesser extent in Byzantine and Umayyad regions of the Middle East; However, the Islamic horseshoe arch evolved with its own, more characteristic and sophisticated version. mirrors».[43].
The original roof of the mosque was made of wooden boards and beams carved and painted with decoration.[100][101][44] Original fragments have been preserved, some of which are displayed in the Patio de los Naranjos, which were discovered in the century and have allowed modern restorers to reconstruct the roof in some western sections of the mosque according to its original style.[44][100] On the contrary, the eastern naves, which belong to the extension of Almanzor, are currently covered with semicircular "chambered" vaults made in the 19th century, with the exception of the southern section, which is covered with Gothic vaults made by Hernán Ruiz I in the 19th century.[39][102] On the outside there are gable roofs covered with tiles.
Cruciform core
The main chapel, the choir and the back choir form the core of the Mosque-Cathedral. Leaving the choir you can see the chapels that surround the nave; Turning to the right, you will first find the sepulchral laudation of the Five Bishops, executed in 1554 and made of marble according to the wish of Bishop Leopold of Austria. Next is the chapel of the Dulce Nombre de Jesús, separated from the rest of the temple by a magnificent fence. This is followed by the chapel of Saint Pelagius, the chapel of Saint Thomas and the chapel of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, popularly called the "chapel of the Lost Child." After the transept "Cruise (architecture)"), you reach the transept, covered by Gothic tracery decorated on the left side with busts of prophets, and on the right side with female figures, which possibly represent the virtues.
The transaltar has five arches, four destined for chapels, the fifth constituting the entrance doorway to the sacristy. Above the arches there is a cornice with grotesques and tondos with busts, and on the five tympanums you can see reliefs that represent the “Arrest”, the “Way to Calvary”, the “Crucifixion”, the “Descent” and the “Resurrection”, all of them anonymous works from a local workshop at the beginning of the century, strongly influenced by the Flemish. Next to the door of the sacristy is the chapel of San Barnabas, followed by the chapel of the Guardian Angel, which is followed by the chapel of the Presentation.
The altarpiece of the Main Chapel began construction in 1618 and was designed in the Mannerist style by Alonso Matías.[52] In 1627 the architectural work was continued by Juan de Aranda Salazar, and the altarpiece was completed in 1653.[103] The sculpture was executed by the artists Sebastián Vidal and Pedro Freile de Guevara. The original paintings were made by Cristóbal Vela and were replaced in 1715 by those of Antonio Palomino. The altarpiece is divided into three bodies flanked by composite columns. The central body houses the tabernacle at its base, executed by Pedro Freile de Guevara, while at the top there is a canvas of the Assumption. The lateral bodies house canvases of the four martyrs: San Acisclo and Santa Victoria "Victoria (martyr of the 4th century)") in the lower half and San Pelayo "Pelayo (martyr)") and Santa Flora in the upper half. The upper canvases are flanked by sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul and the central part is topped by a relief of God the Father.[64][103].
The choir stalls, located in front of the main altarpiece, were made by Pedro Duque Cornejo between 1748 and 1757.[52][65][104] The set was carved mainly in mahogany wood and presents a row of 30 chairs in the upper area and another of 23 in the lower area, all intricately decorated with reliefs, including a series of iconographic scenes. The high stall reliefs show the life of Jesus Christ on its right side and the life of the Virgin Mary "Mary (mother of Jesus)") on its left side, while the small medallions are all scenes from the Old Testament; Likewise, the low ashlar masonry presents scenes of the Cordoba martyrs. In the center of the complex in the western area is a large episcopal throne, commissioned in 1752, with a similar design to an altar.[65] The lower part of the throne houses three chairs, although the most impressive element is the representation of the Ascension of Jesus that tops it. The figure that crowns the entire complex is the sculpture of the archangel Raphael.[65][104].
• - Cruise.
• - Main Chapel.
• - Traschoro.
• - Christian arches and Moorish arches.
• - Choir.
• - Trasaltar.
• - Detail of the pulpit.
Macsura and mihrab
The prayer hall also houses a highly decorated mihrab (niche that indicates the direction of prayer) that is surrounded by the macsura (area reserved for the emir or caliph during prayer) that were built during the expansion of Caliph al-Hakam II after the year 965. The macsura is surrounded and divided by three colonnades of intersecting multi-lobed arches. While the mihrab opens in the center of the macsura, there are two side doors: on the western wall is the Bab bayt al-Mal, the "treasure door", which gave access to the caliphal treasury, currently partially occupied by the cathedral treasury; while on the eastern wall is the Bab al-Sabat, "Sabbat gate", a type of passageway for the exclusive use of the caliph that was connected through a bridge to the Andalusian Alcázar in front of the Mosque.[105].
The mihrab houses a horseshoe arch that gives access to a small octagonal room with a shell-shaped dome that supports a series of blind polylobed arches. It is the first mihrab that gives way to a small room instead of housing a niche in the wall. Under the horseshoe arch there are two pairs of small marble columns that seem to come from the mihrab of the extension of Abd al-Rahman II carried out a century before. The mihrab is surrounded by an alfiz with decorations very similar to the first designs of the mosque such as those visible in the Bab al-Wuzara, currently known as Saint Stephen's Gate; Likewise, on the alfiz, there are more blind polylobed arches.[106].
Researchers claim that the style of the mihrab mosaics was strongly influenced by Byzantine mosaics, an event corroborated by historical sources that describe how the Caliph al-Hakam II requested mosaic experts from the Byzantine emperor Nikephoros II (r. 963-969), who agreed to send some craftsmen to Córdoba. Some experts have argued that the use of Byzantine mosaics may have been a desire, conscious or not, of the Umayyads of Cordoba to evoke connections with the first Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus, in particular with the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where Byzantine mosaics formed a prominent element of the decoration.[107].
The Arabic inscriptions on the mihrab mosaics are the first example of a series of political-religious inscriptions inserted into emiral and caliphal architecture.[108] The most extensive inscription on the alfiz, in golden Kufic characters on a dark background, begins with two extracts from the Quran and continues with praise for the work of the caliph:[109].
Within this rectangular inscription there is another inscription in a horizontal band above the mihrab, in dark letters on a gold background, it is Sura 59:23.[109][110].
Furthermore, on the imposts we can even find names of personalities who helped with the construction, such as the Hayib or Prime Minister Yafar al-Siqlabi.[109][110].
The qibla walls of mosques must face Mecca; However, the Mosque of Córdoba faces south, while the holy city of Islam is located to the southeast.[111][112] This orientation is due to the historical controversy over the qibla, since in al-Andalus and Morocco, the south orientation was preferred, based on a traditional hadith: «Abu Hurairah (said) that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whatever is between the east and the west is "».[113] Said to legitimize the alignment towards the south.[114][115][53] This practice also emulated the orientation of the walls of the Kaaba, in the Great Mosque of Mecca, based on a tradition that considered that the walls of the Kaaba were associated with various parts of the world; According to her, the north face of the Kaaba was associated with al-Andalus and, therefore, the Great Mosque of Córdoba was oriented to the south as if facing the north face of the Meccan sanctuary. They modified their original orientation.[115] The archaeologist Pedro Marfil indicated that it is also possible that the original structures had to be adapted to the urban limits of the late ancient city,[116]a theory that was invalidated when it was discovered in the latest excavations of the patio of the orange trees that the episcopal complex in the century had already been built on the maximum cardo "Cardo (street)") of the city.[38].
Chapels
It is made up of the Villaviciosa chapel; the Royal chapel, adjacent to the Villaviciosa chapel; and the chapel of the Conversion of Saint Paul "Chapel of the Conversion of Saint Paul (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)"), located behind the Royal chapel. All of these constructions are embedded in the Islamic naves along almost the entire northern side of what was the extension of Alhakén II.
• - Villaviciosa Chapel.
• - Villaviciosa Chapel.
• - Access to the Villaviciosa chapel.
• - Royal Chapel.
• - Royal Chapel.
From north to south:
• - Chapel of San Ambrosio "Chapel of San Ambrosio (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of San Agustín and Santa Eulalia de Mérida.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows and Saint Vincent the Martyr, also known as the Chapel of the Transfiguration.
• - Chapel of Saints Simon and Judas.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception "Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") or of the Blessed Sacrament.
• - Chapel of San Antonio Abad "Chapel of San Antón (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Trinity Chapel.
• - Chapel of San Acacio "Chapel of San Acacio (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of San Pedro and San Lorenzo.
From west to east:
• - San Bartolome Chapel.
• - Chapel of San Felipe and Santiago.
• - Chapel of Saint Teresa, also known as the Chapel of Cardinal Salazar or the Chapel of the Treasury.
• - Chapel of Saint Agnes.
• - San Clemente Chapel, which houses the San Clemente Museum.
• - Sagrario Chapel.
From north to south:
• - Chapel of San Antonio de Padua.
• - Chapel of San Marcos, Santa Ana and San Juan Bautista.
• - Chapel of San Mateo and Clean Conception of Our Lady.
• - Chapel of San Juan Bautista.
• - Chapel of Santa Marina, San Matías and the Baptistery.
• - Chapel of San Nicolás de Bari.
• - Chapel of Expectation "Chapel of Expectation (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), also called chapel of Our Lady of the O.
• - Chapel of the Holy Spirit, also called chapel of the Simancas or chapel of the Bishops.
• - Chapel of the Ancient Conception, also called Chapel of the Rosary.
• - San José Chapel.
• - Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady "Chapel of the Nativity of Our Lady (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of Santa María Magdalena "Chapel of Santa María Magdalena (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Sacristy.
From west to east:
Museums
The San Vicente museum displays some of the archaeological remains recovered from a pre-existing Christian building, which is usually identified with the ancient Basilica of San Vicente.
In the San Clemente museum "Museo de San Clemente (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") a wide variety of objects related to the monument are exhibited, such as doorways of old chapels, bells, old clock machinery, tiles, capitals, fragments of the original beams or Arabic inscriptions.
The cathedral's treasure is located in the chapel of Santa Teresa and adjoining rooms. As one of its main treasures, the cathedral guards the Custody of Arfe, carved by Enrique de Arfe. He is 2.63 meters tall and weighs more than 200 kilos. It represents a Gothic cathedral with a dodecagonal plan, it is made up of two bodies that house the man and an image of the Virgin of the Assumption inside. It underwent a restoration in 1735, when Bernabé García de los Reyes added a base and baroque decorative elements, and in 1966 the virile was decorated with diamonds.[117].
There is a collection of gold and silver peace holders, chalices and ciboriums as well as large crosses made of precious materials, one of them donated to the cathedral by Bishop Diego de Mardones in 1620. The treasure has some magnificent ivory crucifixes, the most notable being one from the century made by Alonso Cano.
Burials
Members of the Castilian Crown
Over the centuries, various members of royalty were buried in different parts of the temple:.
• - Ferdinand IV of Castile (1285-1312). In 1736 his mortal remains were transferred to the church of San Hipólito in Córdoba,[118] where they remain today.[119].
• - Alfonso XI of Castile (1311-1350). Son of the former and Queen Constance of Portugal "Constance of Portugal (1290-1313)"). In 1736, his remains were transferred along with those of his father to the church of San Hipólito de Córdoba,[118] where they currently rest.[119].
• - Juan de Castilla (d. 1245). Son of King Ferdinand III of Castile and Queen Juana de Ponthieu. He died as a newborn.[120].
• - Henry of Castile "Henry of Castile (1377-1404)") (1378-1404). Illegitimate son of King Enrique II of Castile and Juana de Sousa.[121] He was Count of Cabra and Duke of Medina Sidonia,[122] and his mother was also buried in this same temple.[121].
• - Juan Ponce de Cabrera (d. 1328). He was the great-grandson of King Alfonso IX of León, and was lord of Cabra "Cabra (Córdoba)"), half of the Garcíez castle, and the Torre de Pajares.[123] He was publicly executed in Córdoba by order of Alfonso the missing chapel of Santiago de la Mezquita-catedral,[125] where the Tabernacle chapel is currently located.[126].
• - Leopold of Austria "Leopold of Austria (rector of Salamanca and bishop of Córdoba)") (d. 1557). He was bishop of Córdoba and rector of the University of Salamanca, and was the illegitimate son of Maximilian I of Habsburg, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.[127]
Other famous burials
• - Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (1539-1616). Writer and historian born in Peru located in the chapel of the Animas "Chapel of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)").[128].
• - Pablo de Céspedes (1548-1608). Clergyman, painter and humanist writer, although the location of his remains is unknown.[128].
• - Luis de Góngora (1561-1627). Poet of the Golden Age who was buried in an urn in the chapel of San Bartolomé "Capilla de San Bartolomé (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") after his position as canon.[128].
• - Cardinal Salazar (1630-1706). Bishop of Córdoba and cardinal who built the chapel of Santa Teresa "Capilla de Santa Teresa (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)") where he is buried.[128].
• - Pedro Duque Cornejo (1678-1757). Artist in charge of the choir of the Mosque-cathedral, who died two weeks before its inauguration, and was buried there.[129].
• - Pedro de Cevallos (1715-1778). First viceroy of the Río de la Plata, buried next to the Villaviciosa chapel "Villaviciosa Chapel (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").[128].
• - Wikimedia Commons hosts a multimedia category on Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.
• - Official website.
• - Cervantes Virtual Center.
• - Mosque of Córdoba Official Tourism Site in Spain.
[7] ↑ a b Marfil, Pedro (2001). "Córdoba de Teodosio a Abd al-Rahmán III". In Caballero, Luis; Mateos, Pedro (eds.). Visigodos y omeyas: un debate entre la Antigüedad tardía y la Alta Edad Media. Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). pp. 117–141.
[8] ↑ a b León Muñoz, Alberto; Ortiz Urbano, Raimundo Francisco (2023). «El complejo episcopal de Córdoba: nuevos datos arqueológicos». En Chavarría Arnau, Alexandra, ed. Cambio de Era. Córdoba y el Mediterráneo Cristiano. Ayuntamiento de Córdoba. pp. 169-172. ISBN 978-84-09-47405-9.: https://www.academia.edu/96883386
[9] ↑ a b León-Muñoz, Alberto; Ortiz Urbano, Raimundo F. (2024). «El impacto del cristianismo en las ciudades de la Bética tardoantigua. El ejemplo del Complejo Episcopal de Córdoba». En Campos Carrasco, Juan Manuel; Bermenjo Meléndez, Javier, ed. Ciudades romanas de la provincia Baetica: Corpus Vrbium Baeticarum: Conventus Cordubensis et Gaditanues. CVB II-III. Editorial de la Universidad de Huelva. pp. 585-612. ISBN 978-84-19397-74-4.: https://www.academia.edu/127180696
[14] ↑ En enero de 2008, a raíz de una propuesta televisiva de Antena 3, la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba ha quedado en el primer puesto de la lista de los "12 tesoros españoles" de un total de 100 monumentos finalistas. Tras la Mezquita de Córdoba, las cuevas de Altamira en segunda plaza, la Giralda de Sevilla en tercer puesto, la Alhambra en cuarta posición y la basílica del Pilar de Zaragoza en quinto lugar. Los puestos del 6 al 12 los ocupan entre otros, el Teide, la Sagrada Familia, la Catedral de Santiago y el Guggenheim de Bilbao.«La Mezquita Catedral se alza con el título de mejor 'tesoro' de España» Archivado el 27 de septiembre de 2010 en Wayback Machine. - Diario Córdoba.: http://www.diariocordoba.com/noticias/noticia.asp?pkid=373336
[22] ↑ a b Ann Christys (2017). "The meaning of topography in Umayyad Cordoba". In Anne E. Lester (ed.). Cities, Texts and Social Networks, 400–1500. Routledge.
[24] ↑ Guia, Aitana (1 July 2014). The Muslim Struggle for Civil Rights in Spain, 1985–2010: Promoting Democracy Through Islamic Engagement. Sussex Academic Press. p. 137. ISBN 9781845195816.
[26] ↑ a b Nuha N. N. Khoury (1996). "The Meaning of the Great Mosque of Cordoba in the Tenth Century". Muqarnas. 13: 80–98. doi:10.2307/1523253. JSTOR 1523253.
[27] ↑ León-Muñoz, Alberto (2024). «Félix Hernández Giménez en la arqueología de Córdoba». En Muñoz, Alberto León; Garriguet, J. A.; Gutiérrez, Carmen González, ed. Félix Hernández Giménez (1889-1975): de su tiempo y su legado. Universidad de Córdoba. pp. 140-148. ISBN 978-84-9927-844-5.: https://www.academia.edu/127023971
[28] ↑ Silverman, Helaine (2 de noviembre de 2010). Contested Cultural Heritage: Religion, Nationalism, Erasure, and Exclusion in a Global World (en inglés). Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-1-4419-7305-4. Consultado el 27 de febrero de 2021.: https://books.google.es/books?id=HCM93pyDhMEC&pg=PA63&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
[30] ↑ Capilla, Susana Calvo (29 de junio de 2007). «Las primeras mezquitas de al-Andalus a través de las fuentes árabes (92/711–170/785)». Al-Qanṭara 28 (1): 143-179. ISSN 1988-2955. doi:10.3989/alqantara.2007.v28.i1.34. Consultado el 27 de febrero de 2021.: http://al-qantara.revistas.csic.es/index.php/al-qantara/article/view/34
[31] ↑ Marfil, Pedro (2006). "La sede episcopal de San Vicente en la santa iglesia Catedral de Córdoba". Al-Mulk. 6: 35–58.
[32] ↑ Marfil, Pedro (2007). "La basílica de San Vicente en la catedral de Córdoba". Arqueología, Arte e Historia. 14: 33–45.
[33] ↑ a b León Muñoz, Alberto; Ortiz Urbano, Raimundo (2024). «La continuidad de lo sacro: los precedentes cristianos de la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba». Andalucía en la historia (82): 42-47. ISSN 1695-1956. Consultado el 13 de agosto de 2025.: https://www.academia.edu/143845050
[35] ↑ Arce-Sainz, Fernando (30 de junio de 2015). «La supuesta basílica de San Vicente en Córdoba: de mito histórico a obstinación historiográfica». Al-Qanṭara 36 (1): 11-44. ISSN 1988-2955. doi:10.3989/alqantara.2015.001. Consultado el 27 de febrero de 2021.: http://al-qantara.revistas.csic.es/index.php/al-qantara/article/view/337
[36] ↑ Walker, Rose (2016). Art in Spain and Portugal from the Romans to the Early Middle Ages: Routes and Myths. Amsterdam University Press. pp. 125–126.
[37] ↑ Utrero Agudo, María de los Ángeles; Villa del Castillo, Alejandro (2023). «Christianity: The Architecture of a New Faith (4th–7th Century)». En Monferrer-Sala, Juan Pedro; Monterroso-Checa, Antonio, ed. A Companion to Late Antique and Medieval Islamic Cordoba: Capital of Roman Baetica and Caliphate of al-Andalus (en inglés). Brill. pp. 115-117. ISBN 978-90-04-52415-6. Consultado el 26 de junio de 2024.: https://books.google.com/books?id=u-yyEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA115
[38] ↑ a b Instituto de Estudios Ceutíes (4 de junio de 2024), CONFERENCIA "Arqueología en la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba" Raimundo Ortiz Urbano., consultado el 12 de febrero de 2025 .: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbPxQMFuZjw
[39] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ o p Bloom, Jonathan M. (2020). Architecture of the Islamic West: North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, 700-1800. Yale University Press. p. 19. ISBN 9780300218701.
[41] ↑ Kennedy, Hugh (1996). Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus. Routledge. ISBN 9781317870418.
[42] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dodds, Jerrilynn D. (1992). "The Great Mosque of Córdoba". In Dodds, Jerrilynn D. (ed.). Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 0870996371.
[43] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ o p q r Barrucand, Marianne; Bednorz, Achim (1992). Moorish architecture in Andalusia. Taschen. ISBN 3822896322.
[44] ↑ a b c d e Marçais, Georges (1954). L'architecture musulmane d'Occident. Paris: Arts et métiers graphiques.
[45] ↑ Bloom, Jonathan (1989). Minaret: Symbol of Islam. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780197280133.
[48] ↑ Bloom, Jonathan; Toufiq, Ahmed; Carboni, Stefano; Soultanian, Jack; Wilmering, Antoine M.; Minor, Mark D.; Zawacki, Andrew; Hbibi, El Mostafa (1998). The Minbar from the Kutubiyya Mosque. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Ediciones El Viso, S.A., Madrid; Ministère des Affaires Culturelles, Royaume du Maroc.
[49] ↑ a b M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Minbar". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911.
[50] ↑ Manzano Moreno, Eduardo (2024). España diversa: claves de una historia plural. Serie Mayor (Primera edición. Segunda impresión edición). Crítica. p. 226. ISBN 978-84-9199-636-1. OCLC 1432693141. Consultado el 5 de agosto de 2024.: https://www.worldcat.org/title/1432693141
[51] ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ Ecker, Heather (2003). «The Great Mosque of Córdoba in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries». Muqarnas 20: 113-141. ISSN 0732-2992. Consultado el 2 de marzo de 2021.: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1523329
[53] ↑ a b Bennison, Amira K. (2016). The Almoravid and Almohad Empires. Edinburgh University Press.
[54] ↑ En ausencia del arzobispo de Toledo Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, el edificio fue consagrado por el obispo de Osma Juan de Soria (Andrés Marcos Burriel: Memorias para la vida del santo rey Don Fernando III).: http://books.google.es/books?id=qkftYGH4YdsC&pg=PA65
[55] ↑ Lowney, Chris (2006). A Vanished World: Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Medieval Spain. Oxford University Press. p. 116.
[59] ↑ a b c d e M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Córdoba". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911.
[67] ↑ Stubbs, John H.; Makaš, Emily G. (2011). Architectural Conservation in Europe and the Americas. John Wiley & Sons. p. 109. ISBN 9780470901113.
[68] ↑ Fairchild Ruggles, D. (2014). Roxburgh, David J. (ed.). Envisioning Islamic Art and Architecture: Essays in Honor of Renata Holod. Brill. pp. 1–21. ISBN 9789004280281.
[69] ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. «Historic Centre of Cordoba». UNESCO World Heritage Centre (en inglés). Consultado el 3 de marzo de 2021.: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/313/
[70] ↑ «Conservación | Web Oficial - Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba». Conservación | Web Oficial - Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba (en inglés). Consultado el 3 de marzo de 2021.: http://mezquita-catedraldecordoba.es/conservacion/
[73] ↑ Hernández Giménez, Félix. Alminar de Abd-al-Rahman III en la Mezquita Mayor de Córdoba: genesis y repercusiones. Granada: Patronato de la Alhambra. ISBN 84-85133-05-6.
[92] ↑ Jordano Barbudo, María Ángeles (2016). «La puerta del perdón de la Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba». Laboratorio de Arte: Revista del Departamento de Historia del Arte (28): 15-40. ISSN 1130-5762. Consultado el 11 de junio de 2023.: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=5706126
[101] ↑ M. Bloom, Jonathan; S. Blair, Sheila, eds. (2009). "Woodwork". The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195309911.
[107] ↑ Stern, Henri (1976). Les mosaïques de la Grande Mosquée de Cordoue. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
[108] ↑ Manzano Moreno, Eduardo (2019). La corte del califa: Cuatro años en la Córdoba de los omeya.
[109] ↑ a b c Nuha N. N. Khoury (1996). "The Meaning of the Great Mosque of Cordoba in the Tenth Century". Muqarnas. 13: 80–98. doi:10.2307/1523253. JSTOR 1523253.
[110] ↑ a b Cuadernos de Madinat al-Zahra, Vol. 2. Córdoba, 1988-90.
[111] ↑ a b Bonine, Michael E. (1990). "The Sacred Direction and City Structure: A Preliminary Analysis of the Islamic Cities of Morocco". Muqarnas. 7: 50–72. doi:10.2307/1523121. JSTOR 1523121.
[112] ↑ a b King, David A. (1995). "The Orientation of Medieval Islamic Religious Architecture and Cities". Journal for the History of Astronomy. 26 (3): 253–274. doi:10.1177/002182869502600305. S2CID 117528323.
[114] ↑ Salmon, Xavier (2018). Maroc Almoravide et Almohade: Architecture et décors au temps des conquérants, 1055-1269. Paris: LienArt.
[115] ↑ a b Wilbaux, Quentin (2001). La médina de Marrakech: Formation des espaces urbains d'une ancienne capitale du Maroc. Paris: L'Harmattan. ISBN 2747523888.
The original mihrab of the mosque is not preserved although it is likely that its remains were found in excavations between 1932 and 1936; These remains show that the upper part of the mihrab was shaped like a shell, similar to the later one.[39].
The emir Hisham I completed the unfinished work after the death of Abd al-Rahman I, finishing the courtyard or sahn and erecting the first minaret.[39][43] This primitive minaret, with a square floor plan, was later demolished by Abd al-Rahman III who built another one, later partially demolished, and whose remains are believed to be currently embedded in the Christian bell tower of the cathedral. The foundation of the minaret of Hisham I was found in the Patio de los Naranjos by the archaeologist Félix Hernández in the 19th century, who left its location marked on the pavement and is visible today.
The first most relevant addition under Christian rule was the Royal Chapel, located just behind the western wall of the Villaviciosa chapel. It is unknown when it began to be built, sometimes it is attributed to Alfonso XI and his grandfather Fernando IV[59][51][60] (later, the bones of both monarchs were transferred to the church of San Hipólito de Córdoba in 1736, where they rest today).[60] The chapel was made in Mudejar style with a ribbed dome similar to that of the Villaviciosa chapel and covered with stucco decoration typical of Nasrid architecture in the era.[59] The prominent use of the Mudejar style in a royal funerary chapel, along with other examples such as the Alcázar of Seville, has been interpreted as a desire by the Castilian monarchs to appropriate the prestige of Andalusian architecture.[42][59].
At the end of the century there was greater dignity in the main chapel, with a new nave being built in 1489 where the old century chapel was. This new cathedral chapel was promoted by Bishop Íñigo Manrique (1486-1496), who promoted the construction of a nave with a Gothic architectural formulation which housed a series of Italian-style frescoes made by Alonso Martínez "Alonso Martínez (architect)") that represented saints and kings, although only one has been preserved and is exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts of Córdoba.[42][56][59].
In the new main chapel, once it was completed by Juan de Ochoa, Bishop Diego de Mardones began the construction of a large altarpiece for which he donated a large sum of money. It was designed in the Mannerist style by Alonso Matías and construction began in 1618. Sebastián Vidal, Pedro Freile de Guevara and Antonio Palomino also participated in its decoration.[52][64].
In March 1748, the construction of the choir began, the design of which was in the hands of Pedro Duque Cornejo, and which was financed with the help of Archdeacon José Díaz de Recalde a few years before.[52][65] The choir stalls were completed in 1757, although Cornejo, who had worked continuously for more than a decade, died just two weeks before it was inaugurated.[66].
The enclosure is divided into three parts, each with a fountain in the center. In the central part there are also two other fountains, known as the Santa María fountain and the Cinamomo fountain.
• - The fountain of Santa María or fountain of the olive tree is a baroque style fountain inaugurated around 1741 to replace a previous one. It is made up of a rectangular pylon, built of black stone, with four artistic pillars in its corners made by Tomás Jerónimo Pedrajas and a pipe in each of them. One of these pipes is popularly known as olive pipe due to the almost millenary specimen of this tree that was next to it.[82] Due to the poor condition of the original olive tree (Olea europeae), another specimen of a young olive tree was planted in the same tree pit, so that currently in the southwest corner of the fountain there are two olive trees,[79] and a fence has been added to them to prevent deterioration due to contact with visitors.
• - The Cinamomo fountain, built in 1752, is built on a pillar topped by an ornate cornice, and with a gray marble base. It owes its name to the specimen of Cinamomo (Melia azedarach) close to it.[79].
• - Aerial view.
• - Puerta de las Palmas.
• - Fountain of Santa María.
• - Cinnamon Fountain.
• - South wall.
• - Porticoed galleries.
• - Tower and Gate of Forgiveness.
• - Cover of the building in the Almanzor expansion area.
• - Puerta de San Juan: It receives its name from the chapel of San Juan Bautista, which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Baptistery Door: It receives its name from the Baptistery chapel "Chapel of Santa Marina, San Matías and the Baptistery (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)"), which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta de San Nicolás: It receives its name from the chapel of San Nicolás de Bari "Chapel of San Nicolás de Bari (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta de la Concepción Antigua: It receives its name from the missing chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which was on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta de San José: It receives its name from the chapel of San José, which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta del Sagrario: It receives its name from its proximity to the chapel of the Sagrario.[88].
• - Jerusalem Gate.
• - Gate of the Round Stand.
• - Puerta de Santa Catalina.
• - Puerta de San Juan.
• - Baptistery Door.
• - Gate of San Nicolás.
• - Gate of the Ancient Conception.
• - Puerta de San José.
• - Door of the Tabernacle.
• - Jerusalem Gate.
It runs along Cardenal Herrero Street. From west to east:
• - Water Ark: It is a cistern from the century that is attached to a coffer on the north wall. The coffer serves to protect and ventilate the main ark of the chapter that distributes to the other fountains and houses in the environment. The ark is made of brick located on the platform of the Mosque, rising on a square floor plan with pilasters in the corners and two bodies with a cornice, and topped with a dome.
• - Puerta del Perdón: Mudejar style, it is located next to the tower. It was built in 1377 by Henry II of Castile, as shown by the inscription surrounding the main tumido arch. In the spandrels of its outer arch is the coat of arms of King John I, which includes both Castile and Portugal for his failed aspirations to conquer this kingdom during the Crisis of 1383-85 in Portugal. The Puerta del Perdón was renovated by the architect Sebastián Vidal in 1650 after the construction of the new bell tower, also adding paintings by Antonio del Castillo in 1660 inside the three polylobed blind arches with the images of the Assumption and the archangels Michael and Raphael on their sides. It consists of two tumido arches, one facing the street and the other facing the Patio de los Naranjos, between which is a quadrangular space with a baroque dome, made during the bishopric of Pedro de Salazar y Góngora (1738-42), as shown on its shields.[92].
• - Puerta del Caño Gordo: Neoclassical in style, it was built in the 19th century and renovated in the 19th century.[93] It receives its name from its proximity to the Caño Gordo fountain.[93].
• - Caño Gordo Fountain: It is a fountain that is attached to the north wall. This flow was already known in the 19th century. Its current form is baroque from the century and has a buried font made of a single piece of blue marble and a large diameter brass spout on a simple, square frontispiece.
• - Virgin of the Lanterns: It is an altar located outside the north wall. It presents a virgin Asunción protected by an exterior fence surrounded by 11 lanterns. The current existing virgin, the work of the painter Julio Romero de Torres, is a copy of the original which was transferred to the museum that the painter has in the city.
• - Water Ark.
• - Door of Forgiveness.
• - Caño Gordo Gate.
• - Virgin of the Lanterns.
• - Tower seen from the Alcázar.
It runs through Corregidor Luis de la Cerda street. This wall corresponds to the qibla of the old Mosque. The western part, built by Alhakén II, is built as a double wall. On the other hand, the eastern part, built during the expansion of Almanzor, is a simple wall. From west to east:
• - Balconies: Located at the western end, extending along five of the naves, are two rows of balconies. They were built in the century with the aim of improving the lighting of the rooms located between the double qibla wall. On the lower row of balconies you can see the coats of arms of some bishops drawn.
• - Balcony of San Clemente: It is a plateresque style balcony built in the century and which was accessed from the old chapel of San Clemente, where the San Clemente Museum is now located.
• - Balconies.
• - Niche of N.ª S.ª del Pilar (1740).
• - Balcony of the San Clemente chapel.
Qiblah
• - Chapel of San Miguel, also called chapel of San Eulogio.
• - St. Stephen's Chapel.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of Greater Sorrow, also called the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of Antigua.
• - Chapel of San Eulogio "Chapel of San Eulogio (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)"), also called chapel of San Andrés.
• - Chapel of the Epiphany, also called Chapel of the Three Wise Men.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary "Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory "Chapel of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), also called chapel of Inca Garcilaso.
• - Chapel of the Holy Men, also called Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre.
• - Chapel of Santa Francisca Romana and Santa Úrsula.
qibla
The original mihrab of the mosque is not preserved although it is likely that its remains were found in excavations between 1932 and 1936; These remains show that the upper part of the mihrab was shaped like a shell, similar to the later one.[39].
The emir Hisham I completed the unfinished work after the death of Abd al-Rahman I, finishing the courtyard or sahn and erecting the first minaret.[39][43] This primitive minaret, with a square floor plan, was later demolished by Abd al-Rahman III who built another one, later partially demolished, and whose remains are believed to be currently embedded in the Christian bell tower of the cathedral. The foundation of the minaret of Hisham I was found in the Patio de los Naranjos by the archaeologist Félix Hernández in the 19th century, who left its location marked on the pavement and is visible today.
The first most relevant addition under Christian rule was the Royal Chapel, located just behind the western wall of the Villaviciosa chapel. It is unknown when it began to be built, sometimes it is attributed to Alfonso XI and his grandfather Fernando IV[59][51][60] (later, the bones of both monarchs were transferred to the church of San Hipólito de Córdoba in 1736, where they rest today).[60] The chapel was made in Mudejar style with a ribbed dome similar to that of the Villaviciosa chapel and covered with stucco decoration typical of Nasrid architecture in the era.[59] The prominent use of the Mudejar style in a royal funerary chapel, along with other examples such as the Alcázar of Seville, has been interpreted as a desire by the Castilian monarchs to appropriate the prestige of Andalusian architecture.[42][59].
At the end of the century there was greater dignity in the main chapel, with a new nave being built in 1489 where the old century chapel was. This new cathedral chapel was promoted by Bishop Íñigo Manrique (1486-1496), who promoted the construction of a nave with a Gothic architectural formulation which housed a series of Italian-style frescoes made by Alonso Martínez "Alonso Martínez (architect)") that represented saints and kings, although only one has been preserved and is exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts of Córdoba.[42][56][59].
In the new main chapel, once it was completed by Juan de Ochoa, Bishop Diego de Mardones began the construction of a large altarpiece for which he donated a large sum of money. It was designed in the Mannerist style by Alonso Matías and construction began in 1618. Sebastián Vidal, Pedro Freile de Guevara and Antonio Palomino also participated in its decoration.[52][64].
In March 1748, the construction of the choir began, the design of which was in the hands of Pedro Duque Cornejo, and which was financed with the help of Archdeacon José Díaz de Recalde a few years before.[52][65] The choir stalls were completed in 1757, although Cornejo, who had worked continuously for more than a decade, died just two weeks before it was inaugurated.[66].
The enclosure is divided into three parts, each with a fountain in the center. In the central part there are also two other fountains, known as the Santa María fountain and the Cinamomo fountain.
• - The fountain of Santa María or fountain of the olive tree is a baroque style fountain inaugurated around 1741 to replace a previous one. It is made up of a rectangular pylon, built of black stone, with four artistic pillars in its corners made by Tomás Jerónimo Pedrajas and a pipe in each of them. One of these pipes is popularly known as olive pipe due to the almost millenary specimen of this tree that was next to it.[82] Due to the poor condition of the original olive tree (Olea europeae), another specimen of a young olive tree was planted in the same tree pit, so that currently in the southwest corner of the fountain there are two olive trees,[79] and a fence has been added to them to prevent deterioration due to contact with visitors.
• - The Cinamomo fountain, built in 1752, is built on a pillar topped by an ornate cornice, and with a gray marble base. It owes its name to the specimen of Cinamomo (Melia azedarach) close to it.[79].
• - Aerial view.
• - Puerta de las Palmas.
• - Fountain of Santa María.
• - Cinnamon Fountain.
• - South wall.
• - Porticoed galleries.
• - Tower and Gate of Forgiveness.
• - Cover of the building in the Almanzor expansion area.
• - Puerta de San Juan: It receives its name from the chapel of San Juan Bautista, which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Baptistery Door: It receives its name from the Baptistery chapel "Chapel of Santa Marina, San Matías and the Baptistery (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)"), which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta de San Nicolás: It receives its name from the chapel of San Nicolás de Bari "Chapel of San Nicolás de Bari (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta de la Concepción Antigua: It receives its name from the missing chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, which was on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta de San José: It receives its name from the chapel of San José, which is located on the other side of said door.[88] It was restored in 1913 by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.[88].
• - Puerta del Sagrario: It receives its name from its proximity to the chapel of the Sagrario.[88].
• - Jerusalem Gate.
• - Gate of the Round Stand.
• - Puerta de Santa Catalina.
• - Puerta de San Juan.
• - Baptistery Door.
• - Gate of San Nicolás.
• - Gate of the Ancient Conception.
• - Puerta de San José.
• - Door of the Tabernacle.
• - Jerusalem Gate.
It runs along Cardenal Herrero Street. From west to east:
• - Water Ark: It is a cistern from the century that is attached to a coffer on the north wall. The coffer serves to protect and ventilate the main ark of the chapter that distributes to the other fountains and houses in the environment. The ark is made of brick located on the platform of the Mosque, rising on a square floor plan with pilasters in the corners and two bodies with a cornice, and topped with a dome.
• - Puerta del Perdón: Mudejar style, it is located next to the tower. It was built in 1377 by Henry II of Castile, as shown by the inscription surrounding the main tumido arch. In the spandrels of its outer arch is the coat of arms of King John I, which includes both Castile and Portugal for his failed aspirations to conquer this kingdom during the Crisis of 1383-85 in Portugal. The Puerta del Perdón was renovated by the architect Sebastián Vidal in 1650 after the construction of the new bell tower, also adding paintings by Antonio del Castillo in 1660 inside the three polylobed blind arches with the images of the Assumption and the archangels Michael and Raphael on their sides. It consists of two tumido arches, one facing the street and the other facing the Patio de los Naranjos, between which is a quadrangular space with a baroque dome, made during the bishopric of Pedro de Salazar y Góngora (1738-42), as shown on its shields.[92].
• - Puerta del Caño Gordo: Neoclassical in style, it was built in the 19th century and renovated in the 19th century.[93] It receives its name from its proximity to the Caño Gordo fountain.[93].
• - Caño Gordo Fountain: It is a fountain that is attached to the north wall. This flow was already known in the 19th century. Its current form is baroque from the century and has a buried font made of a single piece of blue marble and a large diameter brass spout on a simple, square frontispiece.
• - Virgin of the Lanterns: It is an altar located outside the north wall. It presents a virgin Asunción protected by an exterior fence surrounded by 11 lanterns. The current existing virgin, the work of the painter Julio Romero de Torres, is a copy of the original which was transferred to the museum that the painter has in the city.
• - Water Ark.
• - Door of Forgiveness.
• - Caño Gordo Gate.
• - Virgin of the Lanterns.
• - Tower seen from the Alcázar.
It runs through Corregidor Luis de la Cerda street. This wall corresponds to the qibla of the old Mosque. The western part, built by Alhakén II, is built as a double wall. On the other hand, the eastern part, built during the expansion of Almanzor, is a simple wall. From west to east:
• - Balconies: Located at the western end, extending along five of the naves, are two rows of balconies. They were built in the century with the aim of improving the lighting of the rooms located between the double qibla wall. On the lower row of balconies you can see the coats of arms of some bishops drawn.
• - Balcony of San Clemente: It is a plateresque style balcony built in the century and which was accessed from the old chapel of San Clemente, where the San Clemente Museum is now located.
• - Balconies.
• - Niche of N.ª S.ª del Pilar (1740).
• - Balcony of the San Clemente chapel.
Qiblah
• - Chapel of San Miguel, also called chapel of San Eulogio.
• - St. Stephen's Chapel.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of Greater Sorrow, also called the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of Antigua.
• - Chapel of San Eulogio "Chapel of San Eulogio (Mosque-cathedral of Córdoba)"), also called chapel of San Andrés.
• - Chapel of the Epiphany, also called Chapel of the Three Wise Men.
• - Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary "Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)").
• - Chapel of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory "Chapel of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory (Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba)"), also called chapel of Inca Garcilaso.
• - Chapel of the Holy Men, also called Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre.
• - Chapel of Santa Francisca Romana and Santa Úrsula.