Mezquita-Cathedral

785

The Great Mosque was built in 785 on the site of a church

The Great Mosque was constructed in 785 on the orders of Abd al-Rahman I, founder of the Islamic Emirate of Córdoba. According to traditional accounts, a Visigothic church dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa stood on the site, though scholars have debated this.

Expanded

Later rulers added a minaret in 958 and a new mihrab in 971

The mosque was expanded several times, up to the late 10th century. Abd al-Rahman III added a minaret, finished in 958. His son al-Hakam II added a richly decorated new mihrab and maqsurah section, finished in 971.

The columns

About 850 columns make a forest of arches

The hypostyle hall has been described as resembling a forest of columns and as having an effect similar to a hall of mirrors. The current building has approximately 850 columns made of jasper, onyx, marble, granite and porphyry.

850columns, approximately, of jasper, onyx, marble, granite and porphyry

1236

It became a cathedral in 1236 and got a new nave in the 16th century

The mosque was converted to a cathedral in 1236, when Córdoba was captured by the Christian forces of Castile. The structure had only minor changes until a major building project in the 16th century inserted a new Renaissance cathedral nave and transept into the centre of the building.

The emperor

Charles V gave permission and then regretted it, it is said

The cathedral chapter won its case by petitioning Charles V, king of Castile and Aragon, who gave his permission for the project. When he later saw the result he is reputed to have been displeased, and is claimed to have commented that they had destroyed something unique in the world.