The Mezquita Cathedral
of Cordoba, 1
Vocabulary
| occupy | spiritual | find/found/found (2) |
| convert | mosque | build/built/built |
| century | construct | come/came/come (2) |
| column | cathedral | architecture |
| arch | baroque | symmetrical |
| infinite | UNESCO | element (2) |
| site (2) | space (2) | great/greater/greatest |
| illusion | heritage | accomplishment |
| significance |
Video
Transcript
The Mezquita has always been a spiritual place, but has not always been occupied by the same religion. Nowhere else in the world will you find a cathedral built inside the walls of a mosque.
Originally the site of a temple to the Roman god Janus, the Mezquita was built as a mosque after Córdoba came under Moorish rule in the late seventh century.
Then, in 1236, the city of Córdoba came under Christian rule, and the Mezquita was converted to a church.
Four centuries later, a cathedral was constructed in its center and it became a home for the town’s Roman Catholics.
While the cathedral’s an example of classic Catholic Baroque architecture, the majority of the Mezquita’s construction is a result of the work of Islamic architects. Features like 856 columns and symmetrical arches give the illusion of infinite space.
These elements are examples of why the Mezquita is considered one of the greatest accomplishments in Islamic architecture in the world.
Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over a million people visit every year and after all its history, it is now seen as a site of religious significance to both Catholics and Muslims.
Questions
Shrine. The Mezquita of Cordoba, Spain has always been a cathedral. True or false?
Chapel. Architecturally, is the Mezquita a syncretic structure?
Church, Temple. Was the Mezquita originally a Christian cathedral?
Abbey. Do Muslim have a complete disdain for Christianity (or do they admire and respect Christianity)?
Synagogue, Mosque. What are some architectural features and characteristics of the Mezquita?
Yeshiva, Madrassa. The greatest Islamic buildings are in Saudi Arabia. What do you think?
Monastery, Convent. Is the Mezquita a significant place?
Cathedral. There are different churches, cathedrals and other houses of worship in my village, town, city, and country. Yes or no?
Basilica. Are there different religions or denominations
Hagia Sophia What is the religious history of your region and country?
Notre-Dame. How religious are people? Are they very religious and devout, religious, in the middle, not very religious, secular, agnostic, atheist, all of the above, it varies, it depends?
St. Peter’s Basilica. What might happen in the future?
Vatican City, Varanasi, Mecca. What could or should people, schools, businesses, and governments do?
