The Mezquita of Córdoba is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and, according to Sacred Monuments, is one of the most noted mosques in the Western world. The Mezquita dates back to the 10th century when Córdoba was one of the most powerful cities in Europe and operating under Islamic rule. However, in 1236, King Ferdinand III captured Córdoba from the Moors and reinstated Christianity. Under the new Christian rulers, Christian features were added to the structure. For instance, King Alfonso X oversaw the construction of the Villaviciosa Chapel and the Royal Chapel within the mosque, and a baroque choir was added by Charles V in the 1520s.
Having both Christian and Islamic influences, the Mezquita is an architectural oddity unlike any other. The Mezquita features large arches; 856 columns of jasper, onyx, marble and granite; and elaborate prayer niches. However, it's best known for the mihrab, a shrine of Byzantine mosaics.
Also a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, Córdoba 24 reports that the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos is one of Córdoba's most noted landmarks; the site consists of a fortress, palace and gardens. Originally built in the 8th century as a caliphate residence, it has undergone many renovations to become the monument it is today. Alfonso XI erected the palace buildings in 1328, and shortly afterward the Alcázar became the site where Christian monarchs held court for as long as 160 years. The Alcázar is also where Ferdinand and Isabella met with Christopher Columbus to hear his plans to find a new route to India.
Today, the Alcázar is an often-visited attraction in Córdoba; tourists can visit the backyard gardens or view the Roman sarcophagi on display, according to Córdoba 24.
The 10th-century palace city of Medina Azahara may be in ruins today, but the former glory of the city, which is located a few miles west of Córdoba, can still be felt today. Córdoba 24 reports that in 936, Abd al-Rahman III ordered the city to be built, which took three decades and 10,000 workers. The result was one of the most extravagant cities man has ever built, complete with palaces, dwellings and a mosque. Seventy-four years after it was completed, Medina Azahara sank into ruins after Berbers took over the city. When it was rediscovered in the early 20th century, it was declared a protected historic site, and significant restoration efforts have taken place.
