Visit the Spanish Cathedral Within a Mosque

The Mesquita 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 Mesquita was built as a mosque after Córdoba came under Moorish rule in the late 7th century. Then, in 1236, the city of Córdoba came under Christian rule and the Mesquita 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 is an example of classic Catholic Baroque architecture, the majority of the Mesquita'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 Mesquita 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.