The Mosque

The Great Mosque of Córdoba is one of the fundamental monuments of the western Islamic world and the main material testimony to the political, religious, and cultural development of al-Andalus. Its construction and successive expansions reflect the evolution of the city from the emirate period to the splendor of the Caliphate.

The Emirate Period in Córdoba

After the arrival of Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula in the year 711, Córdoba gradually became the main center of power of al-Andalus. During the emirate period, the city consolidated itself as a political and religious capital, laying the urban and monumental foundations that would enable the later development of the Mosque.

The Original Mosque

The original Mosque was built by Abd al-Rahman I in the year 785, reusing materials from earlier buildings and adopting innovative architectural solutions. This first oratory established the basic layout of the building, with a large courtyard and a prayer hall organized into parallel aisles.

First Expansion by Abd al-Rahman II

The growth of the population and the importance of the city made a first expansion of the oratory necessary, carried out by Abd al-Rahman II in the 9th century. This intervention extended the prayer hall southward, respecting the original model and reinforcing the monumentality of the complex.

The Works of Abd al-Rahman III

With the proclamation of the Caliphate of Córdoba in the year 929, the Mosque acquired a new symbolic meaning. Abd al-Rahman III promoted important reforms, among which the construction of a new minaret stands out, reflecting the political and religious power achieved by the city.

The Caliphal Period in Córdoba

During the caliphal period, Córdoba experienced its moment of greatest splendor, becoming one of the most important cities in the West. The Mosque was transformed into the main spiritual reference of the Caliphate and into an architectural model that would influence the entire Islamic world.

Al-Hakam II and the Second Expansion

The expansion carried out by Al-Hakam II constitutes one of the most brilliant stages of the monument. The introduction of the sumptuous mihrab, the maqsura, and the rich decoration of Byzantine mosaics elevated the Great Mosque of Córdoba to an exceptional artistic category.

The Third and Final Expansion by al-Mansur

The last major expansion was promoted by al-Mansur at the end of the 10th century. This intervention considerably increased the building’s capacity through lateral expansion to the east, turning the Mosque into one of the largest in the Islamic world.

Importance of the Mosque in Islam

The Great Mosque of Córdoba was not only a place of prayer, but also a center of learning, assembly, and representation of Islamic power. Its relevance transcended the local sphere, becoming a spiritual and cultural reference within the medieval Islamic world.

Text: J.A.S.C.