Tori Overseas: Córdoba

On our trip to Andalusia in southern Spain, we first stopped in the city of Córdoba. It is a culturally diverse city, having been Iberian, Islamic and Roman in various times during its history. In the 10^th century and the beginning of the 11^th century, Córdoba was the most populated city in the world and was one of the intellectual centers of Europe. At the time of Julius Caesar, Córdoba was a favorite spot of Roman intellectuals. In 711, an Arab Muslim army captured the city and Córdoba became a great cultural, economic, political and financial center in the Iberian Peninsula. During this time, the Great Mosque of Córdoba was built, along with 300 public baths, 3,000 smaller mosques, and the largest library in the world (at that time), which housed around 1 million volumes. In 1236, King Ferdinand III of Castile captured Córdoba and it was declared a Catholic city. Many new churches were built around the city; even one was incorporated in the Great Mosque, changing its official name to “Cathedral-Mosque of Córdoba”. Now, UNESCO considers Córdoba a World Heritage Site.

Córdoba’s rich history can be seen mostly in its architecture. There is a large Roman footbridge that leads people into the city, which was built over the Guadalquivir River. Córdoba enjoys a fairly warm climate year-round. Maria Jose told us that in the south of Spain, Spaniards say that they endure 9 months of temperate weather and then 3 months of hell in the summer. I absolutely believe it because it was only mid-March and it was already 80 degrees Fahrenheit!

When we first arrived, we had free time to eat lunch before we were going to tour the Cathedral-Mosque. The city reminded me of Toledo because of its tiny, winding streets, which of course were cobblestones. As much as I love charming cobblestone streets, I think I’m going to need realignment when I’m back in the states. Even on the days that I wear sneakers sightseeing, I’m still in pain! Maria Jose took us to the courtyard behind the mosque, which had about six fountains. She told us that every time before Muslims prayed, they had to wash all of their senses in these fountains before entering the mosque. This means that they washed their eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and hands before praying five times a day to Allah. The interior of the mosque held an eclectic collection of distinct types of architecture. The mosque contains giant arches, striped with red and white stone, supported by 856 columns that are made of jasper, marble, granite and onyx. These columns were actually recycled from a previously destroyed Roman building in Córdoba. As we walked further into the mosque, the conversion into a Gothic cathedral was evident.