This picture illustrates one portion of a total 853 dazzling archways found within the beautiful Mezquita de Cordoba in the city of Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain. The breathtaking naves are supported by pillars made of elaborately carved granite, jasper, marble and onyx. Many of the columns were taken from other Roman and Visigothic buildings.
Construction of the stunning mosque took place between 785 and 787 A.D. under the rule of Abd al Rahman I. Its architectural origins embody the power and artistic brilliance of Islam that was bestowed on mosques at that time. But it took another two centuries for the building to be completed in its present form, evolving in a blend of several architectural as each addition was built.
At one point, nearly 1300 arches stood inside the mosque.
The Mezquita (which is the Spanish for "Mosque") is among the most magnificent of the 1,000 mosques found in Cordoba, Andalusia, Spain. It is an intriguing testament to the area's diverse religious history, brought about by various conquerors since the 8th Century.
The site has long been sacred property, first as a Roman temple, then a Muslim mosque and finally, by the 13th Century, a Christian cathedral. It is currently operated as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. Regardless of the worship practices held inside it's walls, its stunning architectural and artistic flavor remains decidedly Islamic.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the historic center of Cordoba, including the Mezquita, as a World Heritage Site in 1987. It was so honored for its significant cultural importance to the common heritage of humanity.
Nave of the original mosque of Abderraman I at the Mezquita (Cathedral-Mosque), City of Cordoba, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Province of Cordoba, Andalusia (Andalucia), Spain, Europe.
I photographed this photo with the digital SLR camera model Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, aperture of f/8.0, exposure time of 6/1 sec. on ISO 100, as always I used a original Canon Lens, the focus lenght for this picture was 70mm.
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