Umayyad Architecture: Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Umayyad Architecture: The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
The Mihrab and Skylight Chapel
The old constructs of the Mihrab Skylight Chapel were designed to sublimate the space and the recollection of the mihrab. In the ninth century, other work was done. The emir, Muhammad I, son of Abd-al Rahman II, spoke in the mosque at the gate of St. Stephen. The whole area of the arch and its decorative elements were reformed. An inscription on the lintel in Kufic lettering states that Muhammad I performed the remodeling in 855-856.
Key Architectural Features of the Mihrab
This area is important because of several architectural features:
- The lintel voussoired, horseshoe arch: This is the first Caliphate horseshoe arch that we encounter at the mosque. It would be further defined in the tenth century. The arch has a camber of half the radius, making it more closed and accentuating its ultra-semicircular shape.
- Toothed arch: The voussoirs are parallel to the floor up to the haunches and are arranged radially from there.
- The extrados and intrados are parallel.
- Ashlar voussoirs alternate between brick and stone.
- Decorative carving on stone voussoirs features plant elements and stylized scrolls from eastern ataurique models.
- The carving is on separate plates, and the height is flatter.
- Arch panels: A framework surrounds the arch, called arch panels, which would have significant further development. It is a Hispano design, with precedents in the Palaces of Mshatta, where a mosque has a similar element.
- The top, where we find the forward gear teeth or auction, may be an addition from the tenth century.
- We also find the cantilever roll, with the central element.
The Emir Abd-Allah’s Addition
A new addition was made by Emir Abd-Allah between 888 and 912. He created a shortcut between the Government House and the Mosque, a covered walkway to the Mansura area. Nothing remains of it, but another was built later.
The Puerta de San Miguel
The Puerta de San Miguel (Gate of Saint Michael) is on the west wall, which could have emptied into the hallway. We know this from the architectural elements, but it is a hypothesis. The arched doorway with a horseshoe arch is a model from the late ninth or early tenth century and is very close to the qibla wall.
Umayyad Caliphate Art
In 929, Abd-al Rahman III proclaimed himself caliph, or prince of the believers. He left his mark on the Mosque between 951 and 958. These operations were concurrent with the construction of the palatine city of Madinat-al Zahara, which began to be built in 936. The latter is closely related to the rise of the caliphs. Artistic models were transferred between the two.
Abd-al Rahman III’s Contributions to the Mosque
Abd-al Rahman III’s actions in the mosque included:
- Extending the yard, pulling down the wall and the minaret of Hisham I, and building a new one to the north.
- Constructing a new minaret.
- Reinforcing the prayer room.
- Building riwaqs, or porticos, on three sides (north, east, and west). Today, two remain: those on the north and west.
In the sixteenth century, the arches, pillars, and auctions were altered. The basic design of the original structure, consisting of three arches separated by a thick pillar or pier, is maintained. This served as a model for Eastern mosques, such as the Mosque of Damascus in Syria.
Columns of Abd-al Rahman III
The columns from the reign of Abd-al Rahman III are more evolved and of Islamic design. The stems are smooth, but there is a new model of capital, called pads or capitals of cactiform leaves.