Time to visit the cathedral, a photo from Cordoba, Andalucia

Photographer's Note

A group of tourists clamber up the steps leading to the courtyard of Cordoba Cathedral in Andalusia, Southern Spain.

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Mezquita,whose ecclesiastical name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Córdoba dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The structure is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture.

According to a traditional account, a small temple of Christian Visigoth origin, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, originally stood on the site. In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers.

The work of building the resplendent Mezquita employed thousands of artisans and labourers, and such a vast undertaking led to the development of all the resources of the district. Hard stone and beautifully veined marble were quarried from the Sierra Morena and the surrounding regions of the city. Metals of various kinds were dug up from the soil, and factories sprang up in Córdoba amid the stir and bustle of an awakened industrial energy. A famous Syrian architect made the plans for the Mosque. Leaving his own house on the edge of Córdoba, the Emir came to reside in the city, so that he might personally superintend the operations and offer proposals for the improvement of the designs. Abd al-Rahman moved about among the workers, directing them for several hours of every day

The mosque underwent numerous subsequent changes: Abd al-Rahman II ordered a new minaret, while in 961 Al-Hakam II enlarged the building and enriched the Mihrab. The last of such reforms was carried out by Almanzor in 987. It was connected to the Caliph's palace by a raised walkway, mosques within the palaces being the tradition for previous Islamic rulers – as well as Christian Kings who built their palaces adjacent to churches. The Mezquita reached its current dimensions in 987 with the completion of the outer naves and courtyard.

Córdoba returned to Christian rule in 1236 during the Reconquista, and the building was converted to a Roman Catholic church, culminating in the insertion of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the 16th century.

(Source: Wikipedia)

pajaran, Royaldevon, papagolf21, Fis2, ikeharel, pierrefonds, rychem, cornejo, PiotrF, Cricri, jean113 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Royaldevon (86318) 2017-07-09 0:52

Hello Stephen,

The details of the entrance to the courtyard make a most useful setting to the the many figures around the archway. WE are invited to go through the arch and yet, there is so much to observe in the f/g.
The family group is interesting, the parents seem amused whilst the girls seem either bored or, 'Look at my watch! It's time to go!'
The steps into the courtyard look treacherous! The shiny marble and those smooth surfaced cobbles can be very slippery; trainers are certainly the best footwear, chosen by the two ladies assisting one another.
It's a most interesting photo and one that I may peruse longer!

Have a good Sunday,
Bev :-)

papagolf21 (152607) 2017-07-09 1:05

Bonjour, cher Stephen,
Voilà une très bonne prise de vue avec les personnages en mouvement dynamisant la composition et mettant en valeur l'entrée de l'édifice.
Très bonne réalisation.
Amitiés.
Philippe

Nicou (193814) 2017-07-09 1:55

Hello

fantastique entrée et vue quel passage et ocmpo quelle vue avec ces escaliers et les personnages quelle compo tout en hauteur sueprbe.
Bravo e amitié
Nicou

Fis2 (171763) 2017-07-09 2:00

Witaj Stephen!
Very curious gate.
Interesting details.
Good POV and colors.
Nice sunday.

batalay (41261) 2017-07-09 2:29

Hello Stephen,

I like this shot as an architectural portrait, as well as an action shot. I was looking for a word to describe the crowd climbing up the steep staircase until I saw your note. "Clamber up" is indeed the expression one needs. As usual the note is highly informative and a pleasure to read.

Warm regards,

Bulent

maloutim (13617) 2017-07-09 2:41

Hi Stephen
A beautiful mosque entrance where the eye stops to admuire the sculpted arch adorned with the beautiful frescoes at the top.
Interesting scene at the bottom, played by the tourists. There would be a useful social analysis to do in the different attitudes.
Thanks for sharing and have a good Sunday!
Kind regrds.
Marie-louise.

kim_gwan (1142) 2017-07-09 3:05

Wow Stephen,

You shown us step by step of exploring the exterior beauty of this cathedral

and i am looking forward to what is inside ^_^

Excellent portrait shot into the entrance

Wonderful color vibrance

Ralf

pajaran (116885) 2017-07-09 4:38

Dobar dan.
Lep pogled i trenutak, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Dobar rad, lepo pokazano, dobar kontrast, lepe boje, lepo uhvacen trenutak sa prolaznicima i posetiocima. Lepa stara arhitektura i detalji na fasadi.
Lepo popodne i sve najbolje.
Paja.

Good day.
A nice look and a moment, interesting and good text ...
Good work, beautifully shown, good contrast, nice colors, nice moment with passers-by and visitors. Beautiful old architecture and details on the facade.
Good afternoon and all the best.

pierrefonds (115384) 2017-07-09 4:49

Hi Stephen,

The presence of the people is adding life to the composition. The point pf view is showing the details of the entrance of the cathedral. A good management of the strong light which does not hurt the output of the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Sergiom (117241) 2017-07-09 6:04

Bonjour Stephen,

Tant qu'à entrer aussi bien le faire par la grande porte. Ici, on sent l'empressement des touriste à entrer et la satisfaction de ceux qui en sortent. Belle scène de vie.

Amicalement

Serge

Silvio1953 (222721) 2017-07-09 7:09

Ciao Stephen, great view of lovely gate, nice scene with a lot of people, excellent clarity, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

rychem (72187) 2017-07-09 8:08

The cathedral is really impressive and you have included a group of tourists (I guess it is not difficult to find tourists in Cordoba :). Very nice scene at the entrance
regards Ryszard

cornejo (61504) 2017-07-09 10:13

Hello Stephen, very good photo of this interesting scene of daily life with tourists entering the courtyard of the mosque, very well captured in this interesting image, with good clarity, light, color and quality. A great job perfectly done, my congratulations, my friend. Thank you for sharing this interesting work.

Good night and happy start to the week.
All the best from the south of Spain.
Angel.

carlo62 (81265) 2017-07-09 15:01

Ciao Stephen
si tratta di una cattedrale molto importante e conosciuta, questo viene svelato anche dal numero di turisti presenti nella tua foto.
Saluti
Carlo

PiotrF (55802) 2017-07-09 15:35

Hello Stephen,
Interesting view of Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba.Wonderful details, exactly shown in the photograph.Thank you for informative and detailed notes.I like beautiful colours here.Nice shot.
Regards
Piotr

Tue (93280) 2017-07-09 23:39

Hello Stephen,
A very nice photo of the entrance to the cathedral, which also has some fine details and decorations to offer. The people, either climbing the stairs or sitting on them, make this photo very appealing. They add both life and colour to the warm tones of the walls.
Lars

holmertz (103510) 2017-07-10 1:47

Hello Stephen,
They may be "just" tourists, but all these people provide a lot of colour and life and complement the fine architecture well. It's a nice composition from a low POV which underscores the elegance of the portico.
Kind regards,
Gert

Cricri (176) 2017-07-10 8:18

Hello Stephen
Une belle scène de vie , toutes ces personnes allant visiter la cathédrale, bon format, détails et couleurs harmonieuses de la porte
Belle journée
cricri

jean113 (28219) 2017-07-10 14:00

Hello Stephen, I am enjoying the pictures from Cordoba, it reminds me of our visit a few years ago.
As does this one! We had to wait our turn before we were shepherded in just like these people.
A very good point of view with well managed light.
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.