Historiography: excavations, restorations…

Since the mid-19th century, interest in studying the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba began to grow, especially in the final decades of the century. However, these were artistic studies focused on highly significant monuments, characterized by extensive restoration work carried out by two architects not originally from Córdoba. Ricardo Velázquez Bosco (1843–1923), born in Burgos, restored several façades of the Mosque. His work was continued by Félix Hernández Giménez (1889–1975), born in Barcelona. The latter served for many years as the “regional architect” for the provinces of Córdoba, Jaén, and Seville, where he carried out numerous restoration and consolidation projects on Andalusi architecture (the Mosque itself, Medina Azahara, walls of Córdoba…). Among other works, he published an excellent book: “The Minaret of Abd al-Rahman III in the Great Mosque of Córdoba” (Granada, 1975). Manuel Ocaña Jiménez (1914–1990), a native of Córdoba and trained Arabist, supported the work of both aforementioned architects through his extensive knowledge of Arabic written sources.

Historical Research and Artistic Studies

There are numerous studies and publications on the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

More recently, researchers from two foreign institutions based in Spain, specifically in Madrid, have contributed to the development of archaeological studies on the Mosque: the German Archaeological Institute and the Casa de Velázquez. At the former, Christian Ewert stands out, whose work is closely linked to Art History and who has delved especially into the decorative elements of the Mosque and Medina Azahara. From the latter, Patrice Cressier should be mentioned. Lastly, the abundant results provided by the research of archaeologist Pedro Marfil Ruiz should be highlighted, which demonstrate that the study of the Mosque is not a closed subject: research relating to the surroundings of the Mosque, the lanterns and the extrados of the Maqsura, the east façade of the Oratory of Abd al-Rahman I, the Expansion of Almanzor, etc.

Guides and Synthesized Studies

There are countless synthesized studies on the Mosque-Cathedral, and we mention only a few. Among the publications that can be grouped as “tourist guides” to the Mosque-Cathedral, the ones written by José María Ortiz Juárez in 1975 and María Dolores Baena Alcántara in 2006 stand out (the latter also published a text adapted for children in 2000, together with her sister María Teresa), as well as the “Visual Guide to the Mosque-Cathedral“, published by Diario Córdoba in 2001, with texts by the aforementioned Pedro Marfil and photographs by Manuel Pijuán Martínez. Under the title “The Mosque of Córdoba“, several studies have been published: the pioneering one by Rafael Castejón y Martínez de Arizala (1893–1986), Director of the Royal Academy of Córdoba (1971, 4th edition); that of the historian and Arabist Manuel Salcines López (1923–2005), from 1990; and the works of architects Fernando Chueca Goitia (1911–2004), published in 1968, and Alfonso Jiménez Martín, in 1993.

Studies on the Cathedral of Córdoba

Under the title “The Cathedral of Córdoba” or similar, in addition to the already old study by Miguel Ángel Ortí Belmonte (1970), the works of Miguel Salcedo Hierro, chronicler of Córdoba, published in 1965 and 2000, can be cited. Prolific authors on the subject include Manuel Nieto Cumplido, canon archivist of the Cathedral, and Alberto Villar Movellán, Professor of Art History at the University of Córdoba. From the former, the impressive book “The Cathedral of Córdoba” (1998) can be complemented with “The Mosque of Córdoba: Plans and Drawings” (1992), with Carlos Luca de Tena y Alvear, and “The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba: World Heritage” (2005).

Collective Publications and University Studies

In 1992, “The Cathedral of Córdoba” was published, although it studies the entire building, former Basilica and Mosque. Additionally, two coordinated publications –”Córdoba Capital. 2. Art” (1995) and “Artistic Guide to Córdoba and Its Province” (2006)– include texts on the Mosque-Cathedral by María de los Ángeles Raya Raya and María Teresa Dabrio, Associate Professors of Art History at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters of the University of Córdoba.

Visiting the Mosque-Cathedral

If you’re unsure what to do in Córdoba, we recommend visiting the Mosque-Cathedral by booking one of our guided tours. Choose to enjoy quality tourism with qualified staff—don’t hesitate, ArtenCórdoba is the best option.

Text: Jesús Pijuán.