Great Mosque of Cordoba, is one of the most fascinating buildings that can be seen. One of the Great Mosque of Cordoba was the charm, because in this mosque there is the cathedral church building. It's strange but true, There is A Church in The Mosque. Great Mosque of Cordoba or La Mezquita was first built in 785 by Abd ar-Rahman's EMR I for complement his palace. 40 years later 'Abd ar-Rahman II expanded the mosque to be two times bigger. In 951, Abd ar-Rahman III to form a new tower and expand the park to the north. Then his son, al-Hakam II, continuing the expansion again with twelve new column, which is considered as the most significant expansion. The latter is an extension to the east by al-Mansur in the late 10th century.
Great Mosque of Cordoba consists of three elements, the garden (sahn), prayer room (liwan) and muezzin tower, this mosque has a total area 23 400 square meters, with 850 pieces of stone pillars built of granite and marble. Al Quran kept in Mihrab designed with golden mosaics. What is unique of this mosque is a holy mecca of the wall that is not facing Mecca. The wall is built from north to south and is divided between the south and east. Controversy emerged when the Al-Hakam II plan to correct these errors to a height of Islamic scholars issued a message, "WHO He follows tradition, does right; he WHO Gives Himself to novelties Will Fail". Finally, the intention of Al-Hakam II undone.
Starting the 13th century many changes to the mosque is due to Christian influence which regained control of Andalusia. In 1236, King Ferdinand wants the Great Mosque of Cordoba Aljama or converted into churches. Finally, the cathedral church Villaviciosa Chapel was built by Alfonso X in the middle of the Great Mosque of Cordoba was. Over the years the cathedral was built by prominent Spanish architects and artists. In addition to these chapels, new entrance doors were also constructed, including Puerta de Santa Catalina to the east of the park and then add Alminar tower as high as 93 meters.
At first the construction of the cathedral at this mosque had caused controversy. People think this cathedral construction of buildings that actually interfere with the integrity, character and true meaning. But there is also the opinion of the building of this cathedral instead of destroying even protect the integrity of the building. Whatever happens first opinion, now reap the benefits of Cordoba, the cathedral is touted as the most unique and most beautiful cathedral in the world due to something in between the Islamic architecture of the mosque Aljama. Arabic design details of the mosque who met with its Gothic cathedral made the cathedral of Cordoba is one place that is second to none in the world.
Great Mosque of Cordoba has a main room for prayer, rectangular, surrounded by open fields, such as models of heritage mosques Umayyad and Abbasid built in Syria and Iraq. Great Mosque of Cordoba with a capacity of up to 20 thousand people was used as a gathering place for people to Friday prayers. other than that during the reign of Caliph often used also for political and religious meetings. In the 16th century Cordoba fell into the hands of the Christians, the mosque was converted into a church function. The middle of the mosque demolished and added gothic-style cathedral. While the tower of the mosque converted into a church bell tower. The rest is still maintained and preserved its authenticity.
Great Mosque of Cordoba on December 15, 1994 established by UNESCO as one of the relics of a very historic and important in the world. Great Mosque of Cordoba has a typical Moorish architectural styles. Besides this building is very artistic and spectacular and is one of the most tourist places to visit in Spain.
