May 9th

Well, today was another – WOW! – day. 

We started with a light breakfast. Jeff pre-bought tickets for Cordoba's main attraction:    The Mosque-Cathedral!!!

This building title definitely sounds at odds if not a conundrum. We started by climbing the bell tower, originally, a minaret, erected around 951 A.D. Then around 1593 it was transformed to a clock bell, and then revised, but the extra weight caused a collapse of the structure base – the minaret. But the minaret was repaired/sheathed in stone and then a 12 story bell tower was completed over the minaret in 1664.  In 1755, an earthquake damage the bell tower, but there was a final restoration in 1991. At the top there are great views of the city and the Roman bridge. Nothing in the city is over the height of the bell tower!

Next we went through the beautiful Orange Tree Courtyard, to the Mosque-Cathedral. Once inside, you are overwhelmed by the rows and columns crowned with arches of burnt orange and white striping. Definitely Islamic.

    “It's Islamic architecture, with Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine touches, comes together with Christian architecture to create one of the most beautiful examples of its kind.” – sited from the brochure: MONUMENTAL SITE THE MOSQUE-CATHEDRAL OF CORDOBA.

The site originated as a Christian temple (mid-sixth century); then a mosque was built, 786-788 with many revisions /additions until 991. In 1236, Cordoba came under Spanish rule and the Mosque was consecrated as a Catholic church with a main alter added in the mosque. In 1489 &1607 adaptations were made – constructing the Main Chapel and Transept (with the high alter, and choir/organ area). It is stunning to see a Cathedral and Mosque so beautifully integrated. We could not take enough pictures! So much to absorb!!!

After our tour we basically went to lunch. We started with two tapas: a spanish potato salad with salmon, and Salmorejo- a traditional Andalusian soup. Both were very delightful. Our mains were combination plates. One had two kinds of sliced hams, a sausage of special chorizo and a sausage of black pudding. Next plate had a Flamenquines- log of sliced/diced ham rolled, breaded and sauteed, served with sides of eggplant fries (which had molasses and crème fraiche accompaniments), and two sunny side-up eggs. Both plates also had sliced potatoes, au gratin like. It was an excellent meal!!  We enjoyed it immensely!  🙂

After lunch back to our place for siesta– maybe the Spanish know something, because, well it's to hot to be out!!!  Dinner was a light salad and then nice walk about.