Córdoba

One of the items on my "Bucket List" was Córdoba.  It was with delight we found we could take a day trip from Almuñécar to visit the Mezquite at Córdoba.  The Cathedral and Mosque at Córdoba has a fantastic history, is of outstanding beauty and is a World Heritage Site.

Originally a pagan temple, it was a Christian church when the Moors converted it into a Mosque.  After the Moors were driven from Spain it was converted again and a Roman Catholic Cathedral was built into the middle of the mosque complex. 
I found the place awe inspiring.  You cannot help but feel the history as you walk the ancient floors and touch the fabulous pillars.  The work of the artisans is breathtaking.

 The view  as we cross over the bridge on the way to the Mezquite.

Entering the old town.

 The bell tower in the gardens of the Mezquite.

 The characteristic red and white stone arches are supported by marble pillars. You can see the lower parts of the columns are polished by the hands of the many admirers.

 When additional arches were built later on they could not afford the coloured stone, so the arches were painted to match.

 and

Incredible ceilings

  soaring arches.

Detail of stone work in the Choir part of the Christian church.

An impressive carved wooden altar. 

  The Altar

The bell tower was built around the existing minaret. 

 A small Mosque in the Muslim quarter.

  Shopping in the old town.

 In this lovely courtyard pots decorate the wall.

 Inside a tiny ancient Jewish synagogue in the Jewish quarter.

 Lovely musical tiles decorate the wall in the narrow street.

It would have been nice to go into this restaurant for a meal, but we did not have time.

 Walking back towards the Catedral.

We pass one of the doors to the Mezquite as we regrettably leave.

If given the chance I would return to Córdoba to see it again and explore more of the old town.