Spain currently has 50 sites recognized as World Heritage Sites (or World Heritage), a UNESCO program that catalogs sites around the planet of exceptional cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity.
In 1984, one of the first to inaugurate this exclusive list in Spain, which today includes such emblematic places as the Altamira Cave or the Segovia Aqueduct, it was a very special site with a rich heritage of different cultures.
Pioneer on the UNESCO list
It was in May 1984 when Spain, two years after signing the Convention for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, entered through the front door to be part of the list of World Heritage sites.
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The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba It was one of the five sites chosen to be part of this famous list, along with The Alhambra and the Generalife in Granada, the Cathedral of Burgos, the Monastery and Site of El Escorial in Madrid and the Park Güell, the Palace Güell and the Casa Milà in Barcelona.
Later, in 1994, The name was extended to the historic center of Córdoba to highlight its enormous monumental wealth, testimony of the city’s cultural heritage.
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
The origin of this unique monument dates back to 8th centuryalthough it is believed that much earlier there was a Roman temple dedicated to Janus on the site, which was later converted into a Christian basilica by the Visigoths. When the Muslim troops arrived at the beginning of the 8th century, the site was sold to Abd al-Rahman I, who began the construction of the Great Mosque in the year 785.
Over the centuries, the mosque was expanded several times by successive rulers and among its most important architectural features are:
The Forest of Columns
One of the emblems of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is, without a doubt, the large rectangular prayer room full of columns that support the iconic horseshoe arches in red and white.
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Hundreds of jasper, onyx, marble and granite columns, many of them reused from earlier Roman and Visigothic buildings, create the illusion of infinite space.
The Courtyard of the Orange Trees
This beautiful patio full of orange trees, Built in the 8th century as an ablution space for the Muslim faithful and later adapted for Christian liturgical uses, it is considered one of the oldest gardens in Europe.
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Today, it houses some ninety-eight orange trees arranged in symmetrical rows, as well as cypresses, palm trees and Renaissance fountains.
The mihrab
He mihrab In mosques, it is a niche that marks the place where those who pray must look. The one in the Mosque of Córdoba is designed as an independent octagonal room covered by a shell-shaped marble dome.
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In the 10th century it was decorated with beautiful byzantine mosaics of gold and colored glass, kufic inscriptions and intricate floral motifs.
Later Christian modifications
When Ferdinand III of Castile conquered Córdoba in 1236the mosque was consecrated as catholic cathedral. In later years, various Christian modifications were carried out, which included the incorporation of a Renaissance nave and transept or the incorporation of the minaret to the Bell Tower.
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Currently, the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba is a unique fusion of Islamic and Christian architectural elements. A complex and multifaceted monument that symbolizes cultural interaction and coexistence throughout the history of Spain.
Last August 8we all held our breath when we saw the smoke coming out of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. The fire, caused by a short circuit in an electric sweeper, affected four chapels (including that of the Holy Spirit and that of San Nicolás de Bari, which suffered minor damage), but fortunately did not damage the structure monument, which was able to open its doors to the public again.
A unique historic center
The historic center of Córdoba is a testament to the city’s rich history through Roman, Islamic, Jewish and Christian civilizations. It is delimited to the south by the Guadalquivir River (which includes the Roman Bridge and the Torre de la Calahorra), to the east by San Fernando Street, to the north by the limit of the shopping center and to the west by the Alcázar and the San Basilio neighborhood.
A dense network of winding streets and squares It surrounds monumental buildings and archaeological remains and connects the most emblematic architectural heritage of the city, such as the Mosque-Cathedral, the Alcázar of the Christian Kings and the ancient synagogue of the Jewish Quarter.
The importance of the historic center of Córdoba lies not only in its undoubted architectural value and urban, but also in its ability to preserve and display the coexistence of multiple cultures and religions. The proximity of the Mosque-Cathedral to Jewish synagogues, Arab baths or Christian churches turns this historic center into a exceptional example of tolerance and diversity.