Mezquita History: its Emirs and Caliphs of Moorish SpainThe Four Stages of Cordoba's Mezquita HistoryThe Historic Authors Stage Three : Abd-ar-Rahman 111 Stage Four : al-Hakim 11 Abd-ar-Rahman 1 (756 to 788) They were victorious military leaders They were effective at Civil Government They were popular among the populace, everyone thrived during their rule They were lavish philanthropists: their patronage survived 'time'
Exterior Mezquita façade from the Orange Tree Courtyard One quasi Caliph, also to be remembered was Al-Mansur (977 to 1002). Though his role was 'vizier usurper' during the rule of Hisham 11, he was better known for his cruel military campaigns. Note: (Vizier Al-Mansur during his ruthless Christian offenses was the one who sowed the seeds of destruction for the Caliphate of Cordova. Famous for 'insult-to-injury' he kidnapped the bells of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, dragged them to Cordova, melted their metal, transforming that into inverted Mezquita lamps.) The Aforemention Cordovan Rulers shared one Unalterable Fact:They were the The Historic Authors of the Enlargements and Embellishments of the Mezquita
The Door of Palms: La Mezquita de Cordoba. Stage One : Abd-ar-Rahman 1Abd-ar-Rahman 1 (756 to 788)Originally, when Abd-ar-Rahman 1 first built the Mezquita, you would have entered through this door, The Door of Palms.Work on the Minaret (today, known as the Torre del Aminar) was completed by his son Hisham 1. Abd-ar-Rahman 1's Mezquita was a 1/5th of the size that one sees today. A dozen aisles would have bordered the Ablutions courtyard (Patio de los Naranjos). Architectural Aesthetics created by Abd-ar-Rahman 1Though the Mezquita underwent major extensions during a period of two-hundred years.Its unique identifying features approved by Abd-ar-Rahman 1 - never changed. Historic Cordoba's Cordovan Mezquita from the moment of its conception was: Syrian architecture combined with the quality of local craftmanship gave birth to the details of the Mezquita's structural success. Abd-ar-Rahman 1 may well have designed many parts of the Mosque himself, if not all of it, reflecting his intense interest and endeavour, achieving his particular Patronage Hallmark in Caliphal Architecture. Mezquita History InovationsIn constrast to Damascus's (Umayyad-style constructed) Mosque. Similar to the wider central aisle in a church, the Mezquita has a wider aisle approaching the Mihrab. Play of Light achieved A Sense of InfinitySadly, what you perceive today has no bearing on what the Caliphs created. The equal symmetry between the floor and the ceiling were/are indispensable factors in creating the impression of endless space. Architectural Symbolism of the Orange Tree Courtyard
Model of the Cordova Mezquita from Torre de la Calahorra The Patio's harmony is achieved by the equal symmetry between original al-Andalus irrigation chanels and trees planted there. The Original Source of the Mezquita's LightInterior lighting between the columns was daylight. It flooded in through some central cupolas. The exterior openings were blocked by the Christians, not considered important for the Cordova Mosque.Those exits now hold 52 small chapels dedicated to Christian themes. These chapels symbolize 52 weeks in the year. The Great Mosque had 365 bays, as days in the year. Al-Mansur's extension darkened the interior and finally the Mezquita required the use of upside-down hung lanterns illuminating the interior.
Inverted Lamps of the Mezquita
For this very reason, the idea of the Maqsura Enclosure, protecting the Emir or Caliph, from a murderer within the amassed devout, was essential. Quite a few Emirs or Caliphs and some Imams were lethaly stabbed. Can you imagine the effect of changing light flooding in from every direction on internal space and columns?
View of Play of Light from a Christian Arch Orientation without a central axis accentuated the sense of infinity. The relationship of God and man celebrated in a mystical space. Stage Two :-Abd-ar-Rahman 11Abd-ar-Rahman 11 (822 to 852)al-Andalus at this stage was flourishing
Abd-ar-Rahman 11 extended the Mezquita by eight new aisles. Sadly, his contribution disappeared beneath the Christian Cathedral. Cordova Mezquita, during this period, acquired sacred objects. An original Koran and an arm bone of the Prohet Mohammed. The Mezquita became sacrosanct for al-Andalus pilgrims. Some worshippers could not travel to Mecca for their Hajj. Cordoba's Great Mosque symbolized an equal Hadj substitute. Stage Three : Abd-ar-Rahman 111Abd-ar-Rahman 111 (912 to 966)Abd-ar-Rahman 111 assumed leadership at the age of 23, after his Grandfather killed his father. Internal strife the cause of this murderous action.The reign of Abd-ar-Rahman 111 was the height of the Cordovan Golden Age in al-AndalusHis dramatic family backdrop set the scene: Infidels suffered in the extreme. Eventually, no opposers were left in al-Andalus during his reign. Everyone 'chose to live in peace' rather than oppose him. His kingdom flourished. Abd-ar-Rahman 111 intiated Cordoba's University inside The Great Mosque. He did not actually do any extension work 'inside' The Great Mosque. However, he built his own Aljama MosqueDuring the construction of the fabulous Medina Azahara, which was a splendiferous Royal complex. It had its own palatial Mosque.The work he did do to Cordoba's Great Mosque
The Riwaq Area of the Patio de los Naranjos The Riwaq harbours Objects of Great Interest
Details of a hand-carved Umayyad Beam in the Riwaq area of The Great Mosque, (beside the Tickets office). Suberb relics of the original Umayyan beams that upheld the Mezquita are exposed on the Riwaq's walls. On the 7th October 2008, five of these exquisite larch beams were sold in Christie's for over 1.75 million US$.
Mezquita History Minaret and The Door of Pardons The Minaret was rebuilt. 'His' Minaret set a precendent to all future MinaretsAbd-ar-Rahman 111's new Minaret was much higher - over forty-eight metres. Three hefty, spectacular spheres crowned it: pomegranite-shaped. Two silver, one gold. Each weighed over a ton. His Minaret, however, did not survive time.Stage Four : al-Hakim 11al-Hakim 11 (961 to 76)al Hakim 11 was the most learned and religiously reverent Caliph.When he ascended the throne, al-Hakim 11 had already gained a great deal of experience supervising the construction and ornamentation of Madinat az-Zahra, (or otherwise more popularly known as Medina Azahara: the new royal city). The first royal task the prince undertook was to enlarge the Mezquita in order to cope with the swelling popluace of Cordova. Repeating Historic Events250 years previously, the Umayyadans had sought Christian guidance over monumental decor. al-Hakim 11 was no exception. He petitioned Christian Emperor Nicephrous 11 Phocas's help.A Priceless GiftThe Emperor responded lavishly.Over 320 quintales: or 150 tonnes of dazzling gold-leafed mosaic-pieces were sent to al-Hakim 11. A master builder accompanied the cargo, his role was to train local Cordovan artisans in the art of Byzantian Mosaic Embellishment. None of the materials used in the Mezquita's extension were pillagedal-Hakim 11 utilized local workmanship to create new columns and capitals for the Mezquita. The training undertaken during his reign set a precedent for quality in Mezquita History. His amalgamation of Byzantium artisan expertise, with Damascene art and architecture, competing with current Baghdad Abassidian-style and local Spanish handicraftsman, created Spanish Caliphal Architecture.Mihrab concept: originated from Roman Times. Specific alcoves were created by Roman families in their homes. That particular space was dedicated for worshiping their various Gods. Islamic purposes for a Mihrab.
The Mihrab represents the Threshold to Paradise.
Cupola of the Mihrab Cordova Mezquita Abd-ar-Rahman 1's design of St Stephen's doorway 1This particular doorway served as a blueprint for the design of al-Hakim 11's Mezquita Mihrab.
Like a Rising Moon Mihrab St. Stephen-style-Arch Cordova The Mezquita's History of Exquiste Beauty was achieved by al-Hakim 11It is hard to describe the sheer excellence of al-Hakim 11's Maqsurah and Mihrab of The Great Mosque in Cordoba.The Mihrab, during his reign, transformed from a Mecca-orientated inbuilt hollow - to something utterly magnificent. The Scallop Shell and its SignificanceA large block of marble was carefully carved into undulating waves, representing a scallop shell. This particular structure epitomized the word of The Koran. The shell signified: The Source of Life.Thereafter, a scallop shell was always incorporated into any future Mihrab's decor. The scalloped shell also has meaning for the Christian faith and is associated with the Virgin Mary. Delicate Multi-Lobular ArchesApproaching the Mihrab are three aisles of spectacular multi-lobular arches. They appear delicate and graceful yet are far stronger than the double-tiered arches. Their stone lattice work is uniquely identified with Umayyan Caliphal architecture. The ceiling's wooden beams are indented with hundreds of golden stars.Any similarity comparable to the Mezquita's exquisite quality was only Santa Sophia. Local artisan excellence and the imparted Byzantium knowledge became a hallmark of al-Hakim 11's role in Cordova's Mezquita History. Twenty-Four years Later. Al-MansurAl-Mansur: Vizier-Usurper (977 to 1002) - 5th StageGeneral Al-Mansur appropriated Hisham 11's underage Caliphal powers in 981. His monocracy was disputed by religious leaders. In order to appease their anxious disquiet, Al-Mansur responded by enlarging the Cordovan Mezquita.He widened the Mezquita eastwards. Al-Mansur's extension is clearly divisble in comparison to the real Caliphs' patronage. Limestone voussoirs replaced the brick and stone original alternating colours. His voussoirs have their red and white painted on. Seven New Exterior Doors Were AddedTwin horse-shoe arches were his only contribution he made to the design. He did not spare exapense in his efforts, but the Caliphs had a Damascan Royal background and Al-Mansur did not.One of al-Hakim's interior doors remains after his extension, the doorway known as the "Chocolate Door."
Mezquita plan 1. Door of Pardons 2. Ablution Pond 3. Patio de los Naranjos - Orange Courtyard 4. Door of Palms 5. Abd-ar-Rahman 1's Naves, constructed over the San Vicente Basilica 6. Abd-ar-Rahman 11's Expansion (Cordoba Cathedral is centre-part) 7. Al-Hakim 11 Expansion 8. Mihrab 9. Chapel of Sta Teresa and Treasury 10.Al-Mansur's Expansion Further al-Andalus related pagesGo to Moslem Disunity and the CaliphateGo to Caliphal Cordoba Go to al-Andalus Water Secrets Go to Madinat az-Zahra Go to Madinat az-Zahra purpose page Go to Averroes To Top of Mezquita History page. Back to Andalucia-Andalusia's Homepage |
