Description
The Mezquita Cathedral of Córdoba is a Roman Catholic cathedral. The fascination lies in its architecture as this church once used to be a mosque.
History
The mosque was built under Abd ar-Rahman I., the Emir of Córdoba in the year 784 A.D. In the following centuries, Córdoba experienced many political changes which had affected the function of the Mezquita. The mosque had had many phases of reconstructions. In 1236, by recapturing the city under the rule of Ferdinand III. of Castile, the mosque was transformed into a Christian church. The crucial reconstructions had not been viable for more than 200 years and thus the building architecturally still remains reminiscent of a mosque. Only the Habsburg emperor Charles V. gave the order to build the gothic nave of the church in 1523.
Architecture
It is known to be one of the largest religious buildings in the world with its surface area encompassing 23,000 square metres (25,135 square yards).
Interesting facts
- The day pass at Mezquita Cathedral of Córdoba is €10 making it one of the 10 cheapest tourist Attractions in Spain.
How to get there
By public transport
You'll reach the cathedral by taking the bus lines 3 and 7.
The Mezquita is also just a few minutes away from the town centre.