The Great Mosque of Córdoba features three main parts: the minaret, courtyard, and prayer hall, with significant expansions made over the centuries by various caliphs. Originally built in the 8th century, it underwent numerous enlargements, with the most notable being executed by Almanzor in the 10th century, adding intricate designs and decorative elements. The mosque blends materials from older buildings and Roman aqueducts, reflecting the cultural richness of Córdoba during its historical growth.

1. Great Mosque of Córdoba

2. Parts in a mosque There are three parts in the mosque: minaret, courtyard and prayer hall.

3. Minaret it was built by caliph Abderraman III in the 10th century. The remains are surrounded by the Christian belfry built in the 16th century. 10th century Now

4. Patio Although nowadays it is called Orange trees patio, it originally contained olive trees, cypresses, and fountains.

5. Chapel It was widened several times in the 8 th , 9 th and 10 th centuries.

6. Abderraman I (8 th Century) The mosque was built using materials from older buildings and superimposing arches like in the Roman aqueducts.

7. Abderraman II (9 th Century) He enlarged the mosque due to the increase in population. He imitated Abderraman I, but he engraved some capitals with new materials and design. They are known as capitals with leaves.

8. Alhakén II (10 th Century) The enlargement he made is the most ornamented. The columns alternate their colour and the capitals are called wasps’ nest. He built beautiful domes as well as the mihrab, decorated with fine mosaics.

9. Almanzor (10 th Century) He made the biggest enlargement of the mosque, but because of the proximity of the river on the south, he made it to the east, where we still can see the remains of the primitive doors.

10. ACTIVITIES

11. 1) Match the words in the two columns Match the people in A with the words related to them in B in the e construction of the Mosque of Córdoba. A B Almanzor domes Abderramán II minaret Alhakén II enlargement to the east Abaderramán III capitals with leaves

12. 2) True/False Write T (true) or F (false) in the following statements: The Christian bell tower was built in the 20th century. In its origins, the Orange trees Patio contained olive trees and cypresses Alhakén II made the richest and most beautiful enlargement. The Mosque was built between the 7th and 10th centuries The whole mosque was made with new materials.

13. 3) Fill in the gaps The great mosque of Córdoba was began by _________ in the __________ . After it was enlarged several times, the last and biggest one was made by ____________ in the _________ century. The reason for these enlargements was the constant increase of ____________ in Córdoba at that time. The inner arches are superimposed like in the _____________ aqueducts. Although in the beginning the materials used came from older buildings, in the 10th century some ___________ were engraved with wasps’ nest capitals and the mirhab was decorated with beautiful _____________ . After some centuries the primitive minaret was covered by the christian ___________ . Roman population 10th mosaics courtyard 8th century columns Almanzor Abderramán I belfry

14. 4) Define briefly the following words: Mihrab Dome Aqueduct Column Capital.

15. THE END Text, Photo Selection and Design: Translation : Rafael Jiménez María Dolores Galera