Le Mezquita- One of the Most Interesting Tourist Attractions in Spain
Spain is filled with lots of cathedrals, churches, monuments and other famous historical structures. Out of the many churches in Spain, one structure stands out and that is the Le Mezquita. It is a structure that symbolizes the unity between the Muslim religion and Christianity. This magnificent structure is considered to be one of the best architectural structures in the entire Europe. Le Mezquita was created through the combined efforts of various sculptors and architects.
Le Mezquita was first constructed as a mosque but it was later turned into a cathedral. It is located in the Cordoba province of Spain. It was built in the 10th century under the orders of Abd ar-Rahman. The design of the mosque is a rare combination of different design influences from Roman, Gothic, Byzantine and Syrian architecture. One of the most interesting fixtures inside the mosque is the arch shaped like a horseshoe. The spectacular arch has a support of 850 pillars which makes it very unique.
Every single one of the pillars has an intricate design with sculptures and artifacts. The pillars are also coated with marble and granite. In the evenings the Le Mezquita is illuminated by thousands of lit oil lamps which make everything look very magical at night. The large prayer hall of the mosque has a very wide and open design so that it gets plenty of air and sunlight all year round.
In 1236, the Le Mezquita was converted from a mosque into a cathedral through a consecration ritual. In the 14th century, a chapel was built as a new addition to the original structure of the Le Mezquita. Paintings made by famous artists were also displayed inside the chapel. Later on a life size carving of a lion and a bull was installed in the Le Mezquita. The massive carving was made entirely from mahogany. A black marble sculpture of an eagle was also installed in the cathedral. In the 18th century, a choir stall made out of baroque mahogany was created by Duque Correjo.
The bell tower is also one of the most interesting places to visit in the cathedral. The height of the bell tower is at 93 meters and visitors may climb up the tower. From the tower, visitors have a spectacular view of the province of Cordoba as well as neighboring towns. The gates of the cathedral were built with a Moorish design and until this day the original design of the gates were retained.
Exploring the Le Mezquita is surely a feast for the eyes. There are so many beautiful paintings and sculptures to see inside the cathedral. The structure of the cathedral itself is stunningly beautiful. This is the reason why the Le Mezquita is one of the most visited cathedrals in Spain.
Nancy Gallen - About Author:
Spain offers numerous opportunities and lloret de mar lets you select the most beautiful destinations in costa brava
.Enjoy your beautiful villa with private pool in Spain. Also read my blog at : Nancy Gallen's Blog
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