"Moscow-Cordoba" a Córdoba Travel Page by Kuznetsov_Sergey

It is considered that the city was built by Romans. In days of Muslim sovereignty Cordoba was the capital of Muslim Spain, the center of islam in the country. Outstanding people - mathematics, metaphysics, theologians, poets and thinkers were born in this city: Seneca, Averroes, Lukian and many others.

The double monument - the Mosque and the Cathedral - testifies to attempt of Christian kingdom to get rid even from a hint on Muslim influence.
The Mosque was under construction in three stages, from the middle of VIII century prior to the beginning of XI century. It is considered as one of the most grandiose religious monuments of the Arabian world. It towered above the city ensemble where there were tens other mosques.

In 1236, after a capture of the city by Christians and flight of moslems to Northern Africa, king Ferdinand III nicknamed Sacred, ordered to transform it into a Christian temple. There were closed 19 doors leaving in a court yard, along internal walls of a building. New Chapels were built, the minaret was transformed into a belltower. In 1523 archbishop Alonso Maurike decided to build the big Cathedral inside of the Mosque. City authorities opposed it, but Charles V gave the consent. And though three years later, looking what has turned out, he expressed a regret, it was already late.