Moorish Arches in Cordoba

The Mosque/Cathedral of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain

The prayer hall of the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Mezquita, combines typical yet innovative features of Moorish architecture in Spain and other regions.  The double arches, a new innovation, combined a typical horseshoe arch and an upper semi-circular arch. The double arches allowed a higher ceiling and more light.  The Mezquita, begun in 784 CE and finished in 997 CE, was completed in four stages. The mosque was expanded both to accommodate the growing Muslim community in Cordoba and to reflect the importance of the city as the capital of al-Andalus, the Arabic name for the Iberian Peninsula. The crude Corinthian capitals and painted stripes on the arches (rather than actual brickwork) mark this section of the mosque is one of  later additions.

Join Paula’s B&W Sunday: Typical