Wednesday 9/14/11 - Cordoba

I loved Cordoba 25 years ago, especially the mosque-turned-church I referred to then as "the candy cane" mosque. It was even more magical now. In the morning we had about 45 minutes to explore this mosque, known as The Mezquita, on our own before coming back together again with a local guide who explained the history of the mosque and the church which is now found in it's center. Everything in Spain is inside-out and outside-in. A pagan temple, followed by a Visigoth church was originally on this site. Then the Moslems invaded and built the mosque. After the Reconquest by the Christians in 1236, the center of the mosque was turned into a church. So Eric and I are walking through one of the grandest former mosques, The Mezquita, while listening to the priest chant morning mass in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption. The mosque is best known for it's 856 red and white arches, which are comprised of alternating white limestone and red brick.












From there we walk down a narrow street decorated with blooming geraniums. . .


. . . and visit another ancient synagogue that was turned into a church.


We visit again the Jewish Museum and have a mini-lecture from it's director. He is trying to reach out and bring together Jews of all persuasions and create a vital, functioning Jewish community in Cordoba. He is such a breath of fresh air after Brother Avraham yesterday. We do a study session in the Museum courtyard, reading poetry from ancient times written by Jews of Cordoba. After lunch we have free time to wander before boarding the bus to travel to Seville. Eric and I return to the Jewish Museum to see the exhibit on the Inquisition. We leave with chills down our spines.


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