Cordoba's Mezquita: Islamic Architectural Masterpiece

Cordoba's Mezquita: A Historical Overview

Origins and Patronage

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba was not the work of a single author but evolved through alterations and extensions from the 8th to the 11th century. Its initial construction was commissioned by Emir Abd al-Rahman I.

Chronology

• Primitive Mosque: 786-788 AD

Location

Cordoba, Spain.

Architectural Description and Evolution

The Original Mosque (Abd al-Rahman I)

The initial mosque was built upon the remains of an ancient Christian church, St. Vincent's Basilica. It featured a square layout, divided into two distinct parts: half courtyard and half prayer hall. The prayer hall originally comprised eleven naves, with the qibla (direction of prayer) facing south. This southern orientation is characteristic of Hispano-Muslim mosques, as Mecca, when viewed from Al-Andalus, lies to the south.

The columns utilized repurposed Corinthian capitals, from which horseshoe arches sprang. The roofs were gabled, covered with wood. The original mosque was completed by Hisham I (788-799). On the exterior patio, a square minaret was erected.

First Expansion (Abd al-Rahman II)

The first expansion of the religious building was undertaken by Abd al-Rahman II, concluding in 848. The prayer hall was extended by eight naves to the south. Details of this expansion are relatively scarce, apart from the addition of new carved capitals. Later, Muhammad I endowed the maqsura (enclosed area for the caliph) and reinforced the arch of the San Esteban door.

Second Expansion (Abd al-Rahman III)

The second extension was carried out by Abd al-Rahman III, focusing on the patio. This area was extended to the north, and arcaded porticoes were built, reminiscent of the Mosque of Damascus. Additionally, a new square minaret was erected between 951-952, which was later encased by a Christian tower in the late 16th century.

Third Expansion (Al-Hakam II)

The third expansion was executed by Al-Hakam II between 962-971. This penultimate stage represents the zenith of Caliphate art.

The prayer hall was extended southward, and a double fence was raised along the qibla wall, incorporating:

• Five dependencies for the Sabat (or the Caliph's passage from the Alcazar)
• Another five for the treasury

The mihrab was completed during this era, adorned with monumental Byzantine mosaics. The mihrab's facade features a composite entrance with an alfiz horseshoe arch and a frieze of blind lobed coffers. Interlaced arches formed domes, complemented by stucco coatings and delicate carved wooden beams.

Final Expansion (Al-Mansur)

The final intervention was carried out by Al-Mansur between 987-990. This expansion extended the mosque to the east, reaching the Guadalquivir River. It added eight more naves to the prayer hall, causing the mihrab to be off-center relative to the new layout.

Significance and Legacy

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba stands as one of the most important works of Hispano-Muslim art. It was the largest mosque in Cordoba, the capital of Al-Andalus, renowned for its size, magnificence, and continuous expansion. A striking contrast exists between its austere brick exterior and the rich interior decoration, featuring a 'forest' of horseshoe arches that create a powerful pictorial effect with their alternating red and white voussoirs. Notably, a Renaissance cathedral was constructed within its interior in the 16th century, adding another layer to its complex history.