Cordoba Information: THE
ROUTE OF THE CALIPHS Information: From the MOSQUE to the ALHAMBRA |
The mosque was the core of daily life in Hispano Muslim cities. Prayer,
teaching, administration of justice and social relations all went
on inside or around the mosque. There were three distinct elements:
tower, courtyard and hall of prayer. The muezzin called the faithful
to prayer from the tower, or minaret. Ritual ablutions were carried
out in the courtyard or shan. The hall of prayer, or Liwan, was an
open rectangular space, leading to a wall, the al-qibla, facing Mecca.
In the middle of that wall was the mihrab - an empty niche that indicated
the direction of prayers. The principal mosque, or aljama was situated
in the centre of the town and of its trading quarter, the medina.
Not far, were the lIuzdrtuah or college of Mohammedan studies and
the alcaicera - a series of lanes with shops that offered the most
valuable wares.
The mosque in Cordova is the foremost example of Andalusi mosques.
Apart from these religious and civilian buildings, there were the
alcazabas (fortresses) and alcazars (fortified palaces). They were
fortified citadels which,vapart from providing the military elements,
also ontained the palatial quarters of the rulers. The Alhambra is
an exceptional example of this type fortified citadel.
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Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos |
It was inside the walls of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos,
a fortressed palace which served as the residence of caliphs
and Christian monarchsa, that the conquest of the Nasrid kingdom
of Granada and Columbus' voyage of discover were planned. This
Historic Monument, which is surrounded by beautiful gardens,
retains its original Keep, towers such as El Leon and Los Jardines,
a valuable collection of Roman mosaics, and the Royal Baths.
Behind the Alcazar, next to the Caliphs' Baths, near to the
parts of the old wall which are still standing, we come to the
old Royal Stables, and San Basilio, a traditional quarter whose
plant-filled patios are rated amongst the best in a competition
which takes place in May. |
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