After taking the fast train from Granada to Cordoba we checked into the most unique boutique hotel clearly made up of several houses strung together. The stairways are like an Escher painting going up, going down, and winding around several courtyards. Our room is near the top floor with walls of windows and a private terrace with incredible views of the city.

As always, click to enlarge photos.

This morning we were treated to ringing bells announcing that today was Sunday. The tower isn’t leaning, just a bad photographer. You’ll hear about the tower later.

This morning, I wandered the streets of Cordoba. The Moorish influence prominent.

Our main stop today was visiting the Mezquita. The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Here’s a quick synopsis of what went on.

According to traditional accounts a Visigothic church, the Catholic Christian Basilica of Vincent of Saragossa, originally stood on the site of the current Mosque-Cathedral, although the historicity of this narrative has been questioned by scholars. The Great Mosque was constructed on the orders of Abd al-Rahman I in 785, when Córdoba was the capital of the Muslim-controlled region of al-Andalus. It was expanded multiple times afterwards under Abd ar-Rahman’s successors up to the late 10th century. The mosque was converted to a cathedral in 1236 when Córdoba was captured by the Christian forces of Castile during the Reconquista. The structure itself underwent only minor modifications until a major building project in the 16th century inserted a new Renaissance cathedral nave and transept into the center of the building. The former minaret, which had been converted to a bell tower, was also significantly remodelled around this time. Starting in the 19th century, modern restorations have in turn led to the recovery and study of some of the building’s Islamic-era elements. Today, the building continues to serve as the city’s cathedral and Mass is celebrated therein daily.

Now let’s take a look. We’ll start with the Muslim side of things. The place is vast.

Now let’s look at what the christians dropped in the middle as well as putting chapels all around the interior perimeter.

They popped in all sorts of Gothic bric-a-brac.

They didn’t forget the altar.

And someone ran out of money. Those windows meant for stained glass are now just thermopane.

Last night I had the best tapas so far, Braised Lamb with a Mint Yogurt Sauce.

The view from the terrace last night.

On to Barcelona tomorrow where we will wind up the trip.