Mosque-Cathedral Of Cordoba Size report

Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is located in the ancient city of Cordoba in southern Spain. It has a mixed style of Moorish architecture and Spanish architecture. It is one of the largest Islamic buildings in Spain. In 1984, Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba was inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the Historic Center of Cordoba.

The Historic Center of Cordoba is located about 130 kilometers northeast of Segovia in southern Spain. It is a historic city comparable to the splendor and prosperity of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. From the ancient Roman era to the Islamic era, and then to the Christian era, Cordoba has undergone several changes in history, achieving its urban architectural features that integrate multiple religions and multiculturalism.

Although Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba has been expanded many times, its architectural style and characteristics have not changed. They are all designed in accordance with the style of traditional mosques: the whole building is rectangular, but the building area is getting larger and more richly decorated. Let's find out more facts about the architectural features and floor area of Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba.

Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba Size and Description

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is majestic and comparable to the Great Mosques in Jerusalem and Mecca. The mosque is divided into the Court of the Oranges, the Xuanli building, the main prey hall, the holy tomb, etc. The main hall of worship is magnificent in architecture and extremely luxuriously decorated. It is constructed of porphyry, jasper, and marble pillars of various colors. The interior of a deep sanctuary was divided into 19 north-to-south and 29 east-to-west aisles by 850 pillars. Each row of pillars supports a tier of open horseshoe arches composed of double-layered arches. The decoration of this Mihrab is extremely luxurious: the front is surrounded by three layers of Macsura, dedicated to the prayer of the Caliph, and the three vaults are covered with gold leaf mosaics. The part of the nave that extends from the mosque is larger than the rest and is topped with an elaborate paneled ceiling.

This Islamic Grand Mosque has been built on the site of Roman temples and Visigothic churches since 785 AD by King Abdul Rahman I of the White Dashi Kingdom. Extensions in the 9th and 10th centuries doubled its size, ultimately making it one of the largest sacred buildings in the Islamic world. After many repairs and expansions, it has been maintained to this day and has become a special building where Islamic and Christian cultures coexist. Today, the mosque has become Spain's most famous religious tourist attraction.

Measurements Of The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is a rectangular building. The ground plan of the completed building forms a vast rectangle measuring 180 by 130 meters (590 by 425 feet). About one-third of this area is occupied by the Patio de los Naranjos ("Court of the Oranges") and the cloisters surrounding it on the north, east, and west.

Final Words

Built in 785 AD, the Mosque of Cordoba is one of the most beautiful buildings left by Muslims in Spain, with magnificent gates, domes, mosaics, tiles, and amazingly decorated halls. Its construction and expansion took nine centuries. Several constructions and reforms over 900 years resulted in a mixture of various architectural styles. The rich decoration and architectural art complement each other, and various Arabic flower and palm leaf decorations can be seen everywhere.