Monday, July 9

I am writing much later as I haven't had much access to the internet.
My last day in Cordoba was pretty relaxed. I woke up in my 3 star hotel (I am finding myself wanting to live like a wealthy person, on a backpacker's budget) and went to the Mosque - La Mezquita - because it is free on weekday mornings between 8.30am and 10am. I think that's probably because that's when they do the cleaning. It is a good time of day to go as the heat doesn't wipe you out like it does later in the day.

The hotel was directly opposite the mosque so I didn't have far to go.
To be honest, after seeing the museum, I wasn't as overwhlemed and inspired as I thought I might be. But still the courtyard in the middle inhabited with orange trees and a beautiful fountain and the bell tower, Torre del Alminar were a beautiful entrance to the mosque. The bell tower is 93m and is built on the site of the original minaret. You can climb stesp to the top for a view but I didn't do this that morning. I had seen views from the tower I had been to the day before.

The Mosque itself didn't bring me to me knees, however the arches were pretty impressive and the rich history. It dates back 12 centuries and originally embodied the power of Islam on the Iberian Peninsula. (copied from a guidebook, you can probably tell). The building has evolved over the centuries blending many architectural forms. The most interesting part though is that in the 16th century a cathedral was built in the heart of the mosque and part of the mosque was destroyed. Because of this Islam and Renaissance architecture exist side by side, and so their respective cultures and religions.
There are interesting 'coming togethers' of ISlam religion and the Catholic religion, such as this statue of Jesus on the cross built amidst the Islam tradition. The arches and pillars are the most outstanding features of the Mosque - more than 850 columns of granite, jasper and marble creating a dazzling visual effect. MAny of them were taken from Roman and Visigothic buildings.

I had my train at 3pm so the rest of my time in Cordoba involved walking around and eating breakfast - a bad coffee and a stale pastry I have to say - but great conversation withe waitress about life, motherhood and personal lives. We made a lovely connection. She asked me to call her but I haven't and not sure if I will.

My train took me back to Malaga and then I caught another one to Coin where Jose picked me and we drove back to his home in Monda.