Cordoba!

The trip to Cordoba was on September 11. It began with a visit to some ruins just outside Cordoba called the Medina Azahara, which I can post pics if requested.
The main event though was definitely the Mezquita. Basically the history of it goes like this--There was a church, Muslims came in and destroyed the church to build a mosque, each caliph added to it to show their power, the Christians got it back and while trying to preserve some of it, built a church right in the middle of it. This all makes for some interesting design and constrasting architectural styles.

The streets around the Cathedral were so small the bus had to drop us off a ways out. As you can see in the picture, the town has designed special small cars to navigate the small corridors. (not really)The outside wall

Torre de Alminar

Julie Ann, Ana, and Sarah standing in the patio full of orange trees. Notice the radios they are wearing. Ana had one with a microphone and everyone else's had earpieces to hear her. They didn't like loud tour guides in the Mezquita.

Muslim

Roman Catholic

The Group. (Sarah on the left)

A crucifix under Muslim arches

The Mihrab, (supposedly doesn't face Mecca that well)

Random little shrines

Books!

So many arches

Notice the good construction on the left, and the cheaply done on the right. The Caliph who had the addition done on the right was going more for quantity then quality. Instead of using different kinds of brick he just painted the bricks. tsk tsk.

Massive nave in the middle. Same building!

The front of the cathedral

The back, in the choir area

Oh St. Augustine

St. Francis

The organ. (mostly for grandpa) There was originally two facing each other, but the one on the other side was taken apart, I think for repairs.

The Sacred Heart of Mary (Luke 2:35)

Lots of these covering the floor

This was carved from one piece of ivory, minus the arms

The whole group outside

Hope you enjoyed it