Cordoba

On our way to Cordoba we stopped for coffee in Puerto Lapice

of Don Quixote fame.

Below is the Arabian Mosque of the Caliphs and the

medieval synagogue of Cordoba, the 3rd biggest in

the world.  The Mezquita combines Roman, Gothic,

Byzantine, Syrian and Persian elements.

Following the Islamic invasion of Cordoba the

dominating Muslims began construction in 785.

11 naves with 110 columns.

Christians reconquered Cordoba in 1236 and consecrated the

mosque to be the Christian cathedral.  Modifications were made

in the 13th century.  In 1523 the Catholic Church and King

Charles V forced the building of a cathedral inside the original

mosque.  Works took 234 years.