Córdoba

This weekend CIEE had a trip to Córdoba, a city in Andalusia that is famous for it's giant mosque in the center of the city.  Not just any mosque either, it's a mosque that was transformed into a cathedral once the catholics invaded the muslims.  Weird right? They kept all the elements of the mosque, but they basically dropped a cathedral right in the middle of it.  Check out the crazy pictures.

Torre de la Catedral

Outside the mezquita (mosque)

Inside. Notice the muslim arches mixed with the roman columns brought buy the catholics.  

Behind the muslim arches you can see part of the cathedral.

Cathedral with parts of the mosque in the background. 

Right, the arches of the mosque, left the cathedral, above the arches is more of the cathedral.  Weird right? Kind of sad too.  All the muslims were forced to convert to catholicism if they wanted to stay in Córdoba.  

Top is part of the cathedral, bottom is part of the mosque.

You can see the mix of influences.

Cathedral, arches on both sides.

The extreme contrast between the religious architecture was an interesting experience to say the least.  I couldn't help but feel bad for the muslims.  It is a beautiful mosque, completely intricate and took decades to build.  Then come along the big bad christians, kicked the muslims out and mutilated their beautiful architectural achievement. They took away their city, they took away their beautiful architecture, and then they forced them to convert or leave.  Made for a historically interesting piece of architecture though. 

Have a lot of homework, so sadly I need to head out. Promise the next entry will have more content :)

Hasta luego!