Vocabulary

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

 

While Granada was the last Moorish capital, the capital through the glory days of Muslim rule was Córdoba. Tucked into a bend of its river, Córdoba has a glorious past.

While its old wall evokes a tough history, its elegant cityscape and convivial squares show a modern pride. As is typical of Andalucía, it’s a people-friendly city filled with energy and color.

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Córdoba’s centerpiece is a massive former mosque — or, in Spanish, Mezquita. This huge rectangle dominates the tangled medieval town that surrounds it. Grand gates lead to the courtyard.

It was here, when this was a mosque, that worshipers would gather to wash before prayer, as directed by Muslim law.

Entering, you step into a forest of delicate columns and graceful arches dating from over a thousand years ago.

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At its zenith, this mosque was the center of Western Islam and the heart of a cultural capital that rivaled Baghdad and Constantinople.

A wonder of the medieval world, it’s remarkably well preserved, giving today’s visitors a chance to appreciate Islamic Córdoba in its 10th-century prime.

The columns and arches seem to recede to infinity, as if reflecting the immensity and complexity of God’s creation.

The mihrab, the focal point of worship in a mosque, was built in the mid-10th century. It’s richly mosaicked, with 3,000 pounds of tiny, multicolored glass and enamel cubes.

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A painting in the adjacent treasury takes us back to 1236, when Christians conquered the city and everything changed. Here we see the Spanish king, accepting the keys to Córdoba’s fortified gate from the vanquished Muslims.

According to legend, one morning Muslims said their last prayers in the great mosque. That afternoon, the Christians set up their portable road altar and celebrated the first mass in what would later become this glorious cathedral.

As if planting a cross into its religious heart, this grand cathedral was built in the middle of the mosque.

Taking two centuries to complete, the cathedral is a glorious mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles.

A statue — actually called Saint James the Moor-slayer — stands next to the altar. Sword raised as usual, James is busy conquering Muslims.

Other art is less provocative. The Baroque-era choir stalls are made of New World mahogany. With exquisite carving, it’s considered one of the masterpieces of 18th-century Andalusian Baroque.

And, towering over the former mosque, a bell tower makes it clear this huge edifice now houses a place of Christian worship.

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In the 10th century, when a minaret stood where the bell tower stands today, Córdoba was arguably Europe’s greatest city. It was a cultural capital with probably 10 times the population of Paris.

Imagine the city, with paved streets, lit at night by oil lamps, piped-in running water, hundreds of mosques, palaces, and public baths.

It was a city of poets and scholars.

While things changed later, the Golden Age of al-Andalus — as this society was called — was marked by a remarkable spirit of tolerance and cooperation among all religions.

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To learn more, I’m joined by my friend and fellow tour guide, Isabel Martinez.

Rick Steves, Travel Presenter: “So, Jews, Christians, and Muslims, all living together peacefully here.

Isabel Martinez, Tour Guide: “Yes, certainly, it worked out during certain times, especially during the 10th century.”

Rick Steves, Travel Presenter: “Three different cultures, together?”

Isabel Martinez, Tour Guide: “Well, that’s what most of the people think, but I think it’s more correct to say it was one culture with three religions, because at the end, all the people here talked the Arabian language, cooked the same dishes, and wore the same clothes.”

Rick Steves: “Okay, one culture, three religions.”
Isabel Martinez: “Exactly.”
Rick Steves: “Al-Andalus.”

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Questions

 

Paganism. Madrid has always been Spain’s one and only capital. True or false? Was Cordoba just another Spanish or European city?

Christianity. In Cordoba, the streets are deserted. Everyone stays home and watches TV or surfs the internet. Is this right or wrong?

Islam. Is Cordoba’s main attraction a big, modern shopping mall?

Judaism. When visitors enter the Mesquita, do they see a large, open enclosure? Does the mihrab of Cordoba consist of statues and paintings?

Hinduism. Did Christian missionaries convert the Muslim Moors convert to Christianity, and Cordoba became a Christian city?

Buddhism. Is the Mezquita Cathedral entirely Moorish in its art, architecture and style?

Confucianism. From the 900s to the 1100s, there was sectarian violence and civil strife in Spain. Is this correct or incorrect?

Sikhism. Were Christians, Muslims and Jews of Cordoba very distinct in their clothing, manners, accent, behaviors, dishes?
 
 
 
Mormonism. What are the religion in your village, town, region and country?

Taoism. Has it always been that way? Have religions changed over time?

Baha’i Faith. Does religion influence people’s culture, attitude, behavior, way of life?

Jainism. What might happen in the future?

New Religious Movements. What could or should people do?