The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba (Spain): Humanit and Heritafe by UNESCO
Presentation
Since 1984 UNESCO declares the Mosque-Cathedral Humanit and Heritage, this deserved privilege has been shown along more than two decades. This monument has
turned into cordovan symbol, above all for its wealthy and overwhelming past. For this reason Córdoba and its Mosque and directly linked; almost everybody, whenever the name of Córdoba is listened, the first thing that appears in their minds is the Mosque.
It isn’t only a question of proud for the cordovan people but it’s also a question of admiration provoked by the amazement of the impressive building, by its rich and beautiful elements and decoration. Logically, the building
impresses everybody. Whatever is his religion or belief, of course the muslim admire and respect at the same time.
Without any doubt this masterpiece shows the geniality of the muslim civilization who in other centuries wrote “The one thousand and one Nights” so only its beauty are comparable to this genius.
Besides, the fact that the Mosque is operating as Christian Cathedral, adds a very important value: we are contemplating one of the oldest monument. This "longevity"
makes its study even more interesting. The use and reuse of the nowadays Cathedral during centuries, makes more complex its study due to the numerous transformation of the monument, however it has never left its religious aim, of cult in fact first it was visigothic basilica the Saint Vincent visigothic church, then it was reused in the middle of the VIIIth Century as Mosque by the muslim.
Since the conquer of Córdoba by King Ferdinand III of Castile “The Saint” in 1236, it was used as Cathedral. 
Since then the Cathedral suffered numerous transformations that turned the Cathedral into the christian cult; in the Middle Age, the Baroque Period till the XVIIIth century and the beginning of its restoration in the XIXth and XXth. For this reason, in the following sections we will try to give the most complete description of the artistic and historical evolution of the Mosque–Cathedral. Even though we will try to show the most important aspects of it, without losing the vision of the complex (Mosque–Cathedral). The architectonical and artistic richness of the monument is so vast that it is impossible to
focus on all the elements and details.
We believe that the wide photo-galleries with its contents, justify the previous omissions. After this short but necessary presentation we have created under the title of historiography, a short analysis about the different excavations and restorations that the building has suffered, naming the architect and archaeologist who ran it.
Next we will study the Visigothic and Muslim buildings. In the case of the visigothic, we will concentrate on the excavation carried out by archaeologist Félix Hernández Giménez, who gave us a lot of
data, previously unknown.
Till now, we have learnt about the meaning of Mosque as sacred muslim temple and its meaning in the muslim world. We have divided the analysis of the building by Abd al-Rahman I at the end of the VIII Century, whose ideal Mosque was focused on a functional Mosque. Then we can contemplate the different modifications carried out by other Caliphs and Emirs.
Next we will explain the evolution of the building after the conquer of the city in 1236 by Christians, describing the most spotted parts, concentrating on the Royal Chapel and the Transept, situated in the heart of the building.
Text: Jesús Pijuán.
Traslated by Sara Moretti