work began on "Madinat az-Zahara" (the Caliphal palatine city). The Caliph's "projects" employed over ten thousand people - day and night. This created unsurpassed wealth and stability. al-Hakim 11, supervised, architectural details and the sumptuous decor, for over 15 years (of the 40 years) - which Madinat took for completion.
Mezquita Minaret and St Raphael
Abd-ar-Rahmann 111 ordered the Minaret to be crested with three massive spheres of solid gold and one, of pure silver. Dazzling sun rays flashed over Cordova, visible for miles and miles.
St Raphael is the Christian patron saint of Cordoba.
The Cordovan Zenith
Cordova, capital of Moorish Spain, at the time of Abd-ar-Rahman's death, had become a pinnacle of fame. The city, was leader of all European capitals, with over half a million inhabitants and its society - affluent. Baghdad - in comparison - was declining rapidly.
Many highly educated people moved to Cordoba. Their collective wisdom covered every sphere of academic work. There were more Polymaths in Cordova, than single-area academic experts.
These were peaceful times. Life was satisfyingly tranquil, night skies rang with song accompanied by relaxed undertones of lutes and tambourines. The origins of Flamenco and Spanish folklore culture (Cante Jondo) - stem from here.
Islamic Reverence
Profound Islamic reverence in the "Quest for Knowledge." Emir Abd-ar-Rahman 1, Abd-ar-Rahman 11, the Caliphs' Abd ar-Rahamn 111 and al-Hakim 11 were the most generous benefactors for Education and Health Care. They created hospitals, universities, over seventy free libraries and seventeen public learning colleges.
The Quality of Life in Cordova was Unparalleled
Fifty thousand street lamps illuminated paved Cordovan Streets.
Cordova had other treasures: 700 Mosques, 70 public libraries, 50 public hospitals, 900 Public Baths, over 200,000 houses and over 60,000 palaces for residing nobility: wealthy residents, viziers, generals, legitimate members of the Royal household. Public plazas had piped water. Many wealthy households were hooked up and had flushing lavatories. A sophisticated network of sewerage ducts carried waste away from the town (which still works today), preserving pristine water-tables.
Massive front doors are "iconically Andalusian."
Wealthy riches and likewise private lives, were thus concealed. Inside al-Andalus houses, life focuses "inside" around a central private and sheltered patio. Rooms lead off from that central patio. al-Andalusian houses had plain whitewashed exteriors, typical features of Los Pueblos Blancos de Andalucia Spain.
Cordoba to this day is famous for its Interior Patios. La Juderia - built during the Moors rule in Spain - has narrow, cobbled, tortuously-winding streets.
La Juderia was not contructed in straight lines. It is situated on a natural water-drainage path. Streets slant-slightly inwards in the centre, guiding gushing rainfall to effectively sluice downhill towards the Guadalquivir River, without flooding any Juderia houses.
Exterior historic-centre city walls have pools of flowing clean water, refreshing and cooling the city in the summer: Roman and Islamic heritage accents - on cleanliness.
Cordovan Shops - The Legacies of Moors in Portugal and Spain
A myriad of shops graced Cordova with priceless merchandises:- Leatherwares: Cordoba Leather highly polished, embossed saddles, bridles, boots, belts
- Textiles: linen, soft cotten, priceless gold-thread brocades (much sought-after by European Royals), highest quality silks, velvets, the softest merino woven-wool
- Decor: exquisite, carved ivory objects
- Confectionary: specialized sweets of almonds and sugar - marzipan - was thus introduced to Spain (highly popular during Ramadan feasting) many Arab-introduced sweetmeats and pastries, to this day, remain Spanish favourites - nuns carried on their confectionery tradition
- Music shops
- All manner of artwork
- Calligraphy instruments
- Bookstores: leather and gold book-binders
- Jewellery-shops: (gold and silverwork was/is a Juderia Cordovan Speciality)
- Copperware
:- Tinware
- Lusterware glazed ceramics
- Ceramics
- Glassware
- Esparto grass-weaving
- Candle makers
- Inlaid and carved wooden furniture utilizing Taracea Craftsmanship
- Toledo work, Damascene swords
- Roman Bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River
Cordoba Roman Bridge
Roof Top View of Cordoba Mosque
Lessons at the feet of the Masters, Cordova University
Model of Cordova University, in Torre Calahorra, Cordoba
The Comprehensive Status of Abd ar-Rahman 111 - as Caliph
As Caliph, Abd ar-Rahman 111's role, became the political and religious leader of the al-Andalus Moslems, he also was protector of the Jews and the Christians.Caliphal Power Symbols:
A Jayzuran - the ceremonial Caliph's staff
Sarir - the Caliphal throne
Coinage - al-Andalus money was newly minted, becoming gold dinars and silver dirhams, incorporating Abd-ar-Rahman 111's name
To offset the escalating sway of the North African Fatimids, Abd-ar-Rahman 111, helped the Berbers seize control of:
Ceuta 927 AD
Melilla 931 AD
Tangiers 951 AD
The citadels surrendered; acquiescing under Caliphal rule.
Naval Power
Abd-ar-Rahman 111 developed the strongest Naval power in the Mediterranean. Many years were spent alternating wars with strategical tactics, against Northern Christian Kingdoms. The threat of the Fatimids passed when they seized Eyptian rule and created a Fatimid Caliphate there - closer to the Islamic world. Abd-ar-Rahman 111 fought the Christians, until peace was declared, either by surrender or, by diplomatic pacts and treaties.
Cordova and External Diplomacy
Many countries sent emmisaries to Cordovan Caliphate from as far as the Byzantine Empire (during Constantine V11's reign) and from the Holy Roman Empire, (during the time of Otto 1). Cordova's Royal visitors came from Germany, France, Italy and Spanish Leon and Navarra. Despite habitual battles with Northern Spanish Christians, the very same Noble and Royal Christians sought: Moorish Medicine treatment, the European elite sent their sons for Moorish Medicine Education, architectural, hydrology techniques and teachers advice from the Cordovan Caliphate.
Constructed onto it three levels, Madinat az-Zahra encompassed governmental offices, several markets, public baths, a twin Aljama Mosque.Madinat az-Zahra
As the "City of Blossoming Flowers" lush, symmetrical palace gardens graced Madinat az-Zahara highlighting Islamic philosophy: Paradise was First Experienced on Earth. Madinat az-Zahra also had an exotic touch, a zoo with caged animals: lions, elephants, giraffes and camels. There was also an aviary with rare collections of native Iberian birds, tamed or wild, alongside colourful Eastern species.
The Palace orchards were generously planted with citrus trees, fig trees, date palms and pomegranites especially oranges (azahar: orange blossom) fruit and nut trees, herbs and vegetables.
The Moors experimented with new grafts and seasonal observations in the royal gardens.
Cordova's Royal Library had over 600,000 books, where over five hundred people worked as librarians, copyists and translators.
Caliphate pomp and grandeur held no special significance to al-Hakim 11, who had lived a "silver spoon existence" since birth.
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Archaelogical Complex
Madinat al-Zahra
Carretera Palma del Río, Km 5.5
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Cordoba.
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