Códoba

       This week we made a trip to Al-andalus, which is arabic for Analucía. Our first stop was Córdoba, where we saw what was the third largest mosque in the world! At the time is was only smaller than Mecca and Constantinople. However today it is a Cathedral. 

       A little history lesson: When the Christians came through they were going to destroy the building but it was so beautiful they decided to convert it to a cathedral instead, so that they could worship in it. So, the bishop wen to the king and had it approved. The "renovating" began in 1523 by the bishop, and it was modeled off of St. Peters Basilica (which everyone should go see, but we'll get to that later). He designed it where the four evangelist are by the alter: the lion, angel, eagle, and ox. Matthew being the angel. Mark being the lion. Luke being the ox. Lastly John being the eagle. However this renovation came at a price. Before the mosque was known as being a forest of columns, and you'll understand by the pictures below. But, when the cathedral was placed in the mosque it threw of the line of sight and you can no longer see from one side all the way through to the other side. This bitter sweet story has a kicker though. Had the cathedral not been placed in the center the building may not be standing today because it would have been destroyed by the Christians.

View of Córdoba from getting off the bus. 

Entrance to the cathedral. 

Forest of Columns. 

Arches are made out of limestone and brick for flexibility.

Alter of the Cathedral. 

The Organ was HUGE.

Stumbled upon this jewel in the Cathedral's Treasure room.