Almohad Mosque of Seville: History & Architecture
Almohad Mosque of Seville: A 12th-Century Legacy
This mosque replaced an earlier one from the Caliphate period (9th century), located at the site of the present Church of the Savior. Little remains of the original structure, as it was destroyed in the 15th century to make way for a Gothic cathedral. The current riwaqs (porticos) corresponding to the orange trees are remnants of the earlier mosque.
Construction Phases and Architects
Construction of the Almohad Mosque began between 1172 and 1176 under the direction of architect Ahmed Ibn Baso. The mosque was not used until 1182. A second phase of construction commenced in 1188, and the unfinished minaret was built between 1188 and 1198. During this period, leadership changed, and Ali Al-Gumari took over as architect.
Architectural Features
The mosque was immense. The prayer hall consisted of 17 aisles perpendicular to the qibla wall. The axial nave and the nave at the qibla end were wider than the others. The plan was a reversed “E” shape. Three domes marked the intersection of the naves. Two more domes are indicated, but their existence is uncertain. The extension of the aisles created extreme riwaqs, surrounded by arcaded galleries on three sides.
The design was modeled after North African mosques and inspired by the Great Mosque of Cordoba, even in its unorthodox orientation. It was the largest mosque in Al-Andalus after Cordoba’s. A passage (sabat) once connected the mosque to the castle.
The mosque features pillars, pointed horseshoe arches, and noble spaces with lambrequin arches and muqarnas (stalactite) vaults. It is primarily constructed of brick. The exterior features staggered or battlemented finishes and turrets, with corbels at the bottom of the eaves, extending the Umayyad tradition. Inside the riwaqs, the roofs are made of paired and knuckle-jointed beams.
The Courtyard and Doors
The exterior patio area is Almohad in style. The doors are blocked and feature framed arch panels. Some elements, like a buttress, stand out. The Puerta del Lagarto (Lizard Gate) has a muqarnas vault with plasterwork. The other door, now known as the exit door of Forgiveness, was originally the main gateway to the patio, as it was aligned with the mihrab. It has been heavily modified. The original door knockers are preserved, representing exquisite metalwork, forming intertwined canes.
The Giralda: Seville’s Iconic Minaret
The Giralda has been a famous symbol since its construction. Visible for many kilometers outside Seville, it originally stood 70 feet high and featured a gleaming yamur (finial).
The minaret’s location is unusual, situated on the edge of the prayer hall and courtyard. Plans for a wall were considered but never realized.
Construction and Design
The base, made of stone, dates from 1184. Construction was interrupted in 1188 and resumed later. Ali Al-Gumari was the architect, and the rest of the structure is brick. It became the most perfect of the Almohad minarets, showcasing complex architecture. Minaret construction was a key aspect of Almohad architecture, serving as a call to prayer and possessing symbolic, political, and religious significance.
The Giralda followed a new model of square minarets, similar to Abd-al Rahman III’s minaret in Cordoba (47 meters high), but with greater height. The structure is innovative, featuring a tower-within-a-tower design. The outer body is solid, while the interior contains a series of rooms, with seven chambers covered by cross vaults. Access is via a ramp between the two bodies, also covered by successive cross vaults.
Externally: The upper section is a later addition, forming a set of bells. The original finial would have been a smaller upper body, set back from the extension of the inner tower, topped with a dome, battlements, and a yamur.