#great mosque

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Algiers by Night 🇩🇿 !.

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[ancientstuff]

Mysterious Greek inscription may reveal lost temple beneath Syria’s Great Mosque

A mysterious Greek inscription found beneath the Great Mosque of Homs could pinpoint the long-debated location of an ancient sun temple. Sch

Fascinating.

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Great Mosque, Mosul, IRAQ

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Photographer - shy-girl04 : Mezquita de Córdoba, Cordoba, Spain 2014

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Masjidil Haram, Mekah. Arab Saudi.

Masjid ini terletak di pusat kota Mekah. Masjidil Haram yang merupakan tanah suci bagi umat Islam ini di bangun dengan mengelilingi Ka'bah yang mana Ka'bah menjadi arah kiblat bagi umat Islam menjalankan ibadah Sholat di seluruh dunia. Mendapatkan kesempatan panggilan Allah untuk beribadah di tempat suci ini merupakan sebuah anugerah yang tak terhingga rasa bahagianya. Panggilan Allah tersebut bukan hanya bagi mereka yang berkecukupan harta ataupun mereka sang pemuka agama. Tapi panggilan Allah itu untuk siapapun hamba yang Allah kehendaki untuk menjadi tamu istimewanya. Seorang hamba yang tak mampu hartanya, kemudian Allah mampukan dengan jalan rezeki yang tak terduga. Seorang hamba yang pendosa, kemudian Allah gerakan hatinya agar bertaubat. Bahkan seorang hamba yang tersesat pun, kemudian Allah tunjukan jalannya agar ia kembali di jalan benar nya Allah. Allahuakbar. Begitu beruntung nya hamba hamba yang menjadi pilihan Allah tersebut. Semoga kita semua umat Muslim kelak menjadi hamba Allah yang dipilih untuk di panggil melaksanakan ibadah di tanah suci. Aamiin.

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Adalberto Libera, Horizontal Housing Project, Tuscolano III, Rome, Italy, 1950-1954 VS Great Mosque or Mezquita | Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, Córdoba, Spain, 785 | 16th century

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Córdoba- Abandoned by the world, honoured by its people

Córdoba

When entering the glorious city of Córdoba we are met by the scent of jasmine , orange blossom and the gurgling but relaxing sound of fountain water in the proximity. When passing through the city gates it’s temperamental spirit can immediately be felt.

Córdoba is truly impressive, it was once the most sophisticated, prosperous and powerful city in the world, and deserves to be respected. It was the dazzling,radiant capital of the Andalusian Caliphate.

But after the fall of al Andalus, starting from the bloody inquisition, the glorious city of Córdoba was abandoned and forgotten. This rich historical city on the foot of Sierra Morena with its lifeline the “Guadalquivir” river, was being disregarded. Left with nothing, Córdoba was still blessed!

Not all cities are fortunate enough to have a mystical and enigmatic past that is truly felt pulsating through its streets and in between the buildings. Not all cities got such an immense gift of having romantic and beautiful memories engraved in the hearts of its people, forever.

Córdoba’s fate

In and around the city of Córdoba there are plenty of friendly, pleasant and hospitable citizens awaiting any chance to share their city’s past with visitors.

Opiniones are split about the derivation of the name Córdoba.

It is one of two possibilities, the first suggests Qorteba (Hebrew for olive mill), the second Quart-oba (old iberic language: city by the river) (oba: river).

Córdoba was the crown jewel and capital of the Caliphate of al-Andalus. It was ranked second in population in the world and indisputably the most prosperous and beautiful city anywhere at that time. It was the heart of everything, the city was simply breathtaking.

But with the fall of al-Andalus the city saw its demise, its inhabitants were being killed and deported, it was the first mass deportation in Spanish history.

The city fell into decay and negligence.

The star of attraction

Grand mosque of córdoba

In between a Roman bridge, a Jewish neighbourhood and a thousand streets filled with the most extraordinary history we find the Great Mosque of Córdoba, the most mysterious and emblematic place in the whole city.

The Great Mosque’s beautiful courtyard of “los naranjos” (the orange trees) was earlier used for public activities such as teachings or for justice purposes. As the orange trees gave a cool shadow during hot summers, here were temperatures easily reaches 40 degrees C (104 F)

Under the orange trees there is a large aljbe ( water tank) providing water for Muslim purification.

Orange blossom

The courtyard and the rest of the mosque complex with its decorative and unique mosaic, merged with a scent of oriental perfumes, recreates perfectly the times of the Caliphate.

The mosque is the only building of its kind in Spain and it is undoubtedly the star of attraction. A lot of myths and legends surround the mosque. Its construction was ordered by the legendary Abderraman I first Emir of al Andalus.

He lived in the al-Rusafa palace and was the last survivor of the Umayyan bloodline, in Damascus. As he was grateful to God for what he was given and as the legend tells, after seeing an angel in a dream he decided to build a mosque as a sign of gratitude.

Since ancient times the cordobese population have been talking about the existence of a secret network of tunnels under their city, centred around the mosque. In spite of lack of evidence, the obstinate cordobese inhabitants have been retelling this story from generation to generation through legends and popular folktales.

Nevertheless, eight hidden rooms and part of passages have been found inside the mosque. The legend talks about a tunnel connecting the mosque to Medina Azahra through which, the Caliph himself, travelled daily on horse to pray.

According to the locals the tunnels were big enough to fit a rider and his horse and could take them throughout all of Córdoba if necessary.

A Cordobese hero

Garden in Córdoba

Amid centuries Córdoba fell deeper and deeper into decline, the city was set aside and had a second degree position inside of Spain.

Córdoba was pushed to a slope as it lost importance and population, it was now far from the centre of powers where decisions were made.

Repeated periods of starvation also shaped the city.

During the French occupation (1808), as did the rest of Spain, Córdoba too suffered brutality, bloodshed and barbarity.

It was then that Córdoba got help from a legendary hero, Juan Palomo.

Juan Palomo lived in “La Casa Grande”(the big house) in Córdoba, it had stables where Juan stored the gold and jewellery he stole from the French.

The rooms in the basement were used as prison cells where Juan imprisoned famous figures, who were used for demanding ransom.

Juan Palomo is also said to have had a secret escape route, could it be part of the old tunnel system?

“La Casa Grande” still stands but is today divided and transformed, its original, exceptional architecture is partly destroyed.

Later on the Spanish civil war (1936-39) left Córdoba with further destruction and death.

It was first in 1992, with the arrival of the “AVE” train system that Córdoba slowly started to join the rest of Spain, the university of Cordoba also helped improve the status of the city.

But it has truly been the proud citizens of Córdoba that have contributed most in maintaining the city as well as reviving it.

As their city was abandoned and fell into decay, they came up with an ingenious strategy.

Every year in May they hold a competition to vote for the best maintained building in Córdoba.

Consequently, the population maintains a constant and meticulous restoration of their houses and gardens “patios”, everyone is cooperating with their own willpower and a lot of enthusiasm during the whole year.

The competition is divided into two separate categories: old architecture and modern architecture.

This resourceful and practical tradition is declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Furthermore, Córdoba has the most UNESCO world heritage sites in the world for any city.*see end article

The carácter of the cordobeses

In Spain the cordobeses citizens are famous for their distinct character.

There is a Spanish saying used to describe the cordobeses:

In historic times when the rest of Spain and most of Europe , as well, used a law called “el derecho de pernada” ( the right of pardon)it was a right held only by aristocrats or noblemen that allowed them to be pardoned or forgiven when committing a crime.

Córdoba was the only city in Spain that never accepted that law!

That’s why Spaniards say that it is impossible to find nobles in the straightforward city of Córdoba.

(Cordobés y hombre de bien no puede ser.) “One can not be a nobleman and cordobeses in the same time”.

The courtyard festival of Córdoba

Courtyard in Córdoba

With the arrival of spring, when everything starts to blossom and thrive the friendly cordobeses population living in the older part of the city, open up their well kept historical gardens and patios for visitors.**see end article

So that they too can enjoy the colourful floral compositions and the traces and remains of their prideful past in their historical and cultural buildings.

Some of them even bring musicians playing music to help keep the mood up.

The joy of gardening is inherited, running in the blood of the cordobeses, from far back in the city’s history.

A famous cordobeses proverb, dating back to the days of the Caliphate, when the Arabs introduced new agricultural and irrigation techniques, they even succeeded with obtaining two harvests a year.

The proverb says: "Una Huerta es un tesoro, si el que la cuida es un moro".

Translation: "The garden is a treasure, if the one caring for it is an Arab".

Since the time of the Caliphate, the cordobese and the Andalusians in general have had a special love for agriculture.

Thanks to Andalusia, Spain is the biggest producer of olives in the world!

Apart from agriculture and olives, the inhabitants of Córdoba are fascinated by flowers. Symbolising Córdoba and Andalusia is the carnation.

Carnations

In Spain, red carnations represent passion.

This pleasantly scented, prismatic flower dates back more than 2.000 years, it is not at all surprising that carnations are rich in symbolism and mythology.

They have long inspired artists and poets. Maybe the meaning behind them has something to do with it?

Carnations represent love, fascination and distinction.

They have a delicate and refined fragrance with a touch of warmth and summer, an undoubtedly sprinkle of spiciness.

It’s petals are edible , they too taste a little spicy, with a hint of clove or nutmeg, it is also described as “piquant” and “sweet”.

It is not difficult to understand why this characterful and diverse flower symbolises Andalusia.

The Andalusian caprice

Flamenco

Carnations are unique in their enormous assortment and diversity.

They exist in a great variety of colours, sizes and shapes, yet each one surprisingly distinctive and every single flower beyond comparison.

It is peculiar that their characteristics are almost paradoxical.

Spicy- Sweet

Delicate- Vivid

Warm- Refreshing

They are just as temperamental as the Andalusians themselves!

What is seen as opposites, differences, paradoxes and contradictions for the rest of the world become harmony, unity and oneness for the Andalusians.

The Andalusians are a fusion of Spanish and Arabic yet in this fusion , other cultures (like Gypsies) are also a part of the mix.

One internationally recognised cordobese, andalusian tradition is eating “tapas”.

In historic times when ordering a drink, the generous locals always offered something to eat with it. (Generosity is another trait they got from the Arabs).

Some olives, small pieces of cheese or toasted almonds, served on a small plate, placed on top of the glass.

From here the name “tapas” (Spanish for: cover).

All of these small charming habits can be called Cordobese charm, Andalusian harmony or even southern Spanish spirit.

But the truth is that the Andalusian spirit is an emotion, a tenderness, a passion, a compassion or sympathy (for others), an atmosphere, an aura and a sense.

It is impossible to describe but it is clearly felt!

It is the very essence of both Córdoba and Andalusia, the core of its existence.

It is its : pride, temperament, yearning for its past, hopefulness a sprinkle of sunshine and the distinct spicy smell of carnations that make up the Andalusian blood, all mixed together and pulsating everywhere throughout Córdoba and the rest of the Andalusian province.

Córdoba bridge

*Córdoba the city with the most UNESCO heritage site with a total of four for this city alone, they are:

Mosque of Córdoba.

Medina Azahara (the shining city).

Patios festival.

Alcázar de Córdoba.

**The patios festival is held every year from 15 of May, two consecutive weeks.Exact dates vary slightly from year to year, and the visitors have to keep themselves updated.

There are many more festivals and celebrations (like carnaval)especially in spring.