Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba: History and Architectural Marvels

Posted on Feb 12, 2025 in Religion

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba: A Historical Overview

During the Islamic occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, dividing spaces for different religions was a common practice, especially when conquests involved peaceful surrenders.

Early History (784-788)

  • 784-785: Muslims in the Mozarabic community purchased their share of the Basilica, eventually acquiring the entire site after demolishing the existing structure.
  • 785-786: Construction began on the first mosque of Córdoba, financed by Emir Abd-al Rahman I using funds from the Campaign of Coal.
  • 786-787: The mosque began to be used before its completion.
  • Construction continued until Abd-al Rahman I’s death in 788, and slightly beyond, until the arrival of his successor, Hisham I.

The Original Mosque (785-786)

The original mosque consisted of two main parts: a courtyard and a prayer hall.

  • It followed a hypostyle model, inspired by Eastern architectural styles.
  • The square footage was equally divided between the courtyard and the prayer hall.
  • Some believe the design incorporated Pythagorean proportions.

Debates Among Historians

There are differing opinions among historians regarding the prayer hall’s layout:

  • French historians, such as Lévi-Provençal and Lambert, believed the prayer room had nine naves, based on Arab chronicles.
  • Spanish historians, including Torres Gomez Moreno Valves, relied on archeological evidence to argue that the room had eleven naves.
  • Current consensus suggests that it indeed had eleven naves, but during the Emirate period, two naves were likely separated by a screen or lattice to segregate women.

Architectural Features

  • Naves were perpendicular to the qibla wall, with the central naves slightly wider than the side naves.
  • The qibla wall, which should ideally face southeast, is oriented south. This intentional deviation may be due to:
    • Replicating the model of a mosque in Damascus or Medina.
    • Aligning with the direction Muslims should take for their pilgrimage to Mecca.
    • Creating a parallel with the Kaaba through mathematical and geographical considerations.
  • Despite the reasons, the provision of guidance was intentionally skipped.

The Lost Qibla

Originally, the wall had a mihrab, but archeological excavations have not revealed any foundation. It is suspected that a piece of sculpture served as a recessed niche in the wall. A fragment of a niche, believed to be part of that mihrab, has been found in the expansion of Al-Mansur.

Prayer Hall Design

The design of the prayer hall, which was replicated in subsequent expansions, features 11 naves separated by arches. This unique system of supports aimed to increase the height of the naves is a defining characteristic of the building.

Columns and Supports

  • The initial construction reused columns from Roman and Visigoth structures. Given the need for hundreds of columns, others must have originated elsewhere.
  • All columns are based, a unique feature for this period, which disappeared after the expansion of Abd-al Rahman II.
  • Each support was founded by an individual, leading to stability issues and uneven ground. The original ground level has been recovered. In later expansions, the foundation was run for each arch.
  • The shafts are made of marble or granite.

Capitals and Moldings

  • The capitals exhibit distinctive styling from the 1st to 7th centuries, including Roman, Visigoth, and early Christian influences.
  • The Corinthian order is prevalent.
  • Moldings were reused from the Visigoth period (cut), while smooth ones were carved specifically for the mosque.