After Prince Abd al-Rahman I fled from Damascus when his family was overthrown, he declared himself to be the First Emir of Córdoba in 756. Starting in 784, he began his vision of creating the world’s greatest mosque. His descendants continued construction for the next two centuries until Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir finished the Mezquita in 987. Although the Catholics converted the mosque into a cathedral staring in 1523, the building retains much of its original design. Some experts believe it is the best example of Islamic architecture. An exterior illustration is the Puerta de San Juan, located along the east facade. Inside are rooms defined by over 850 columns made from marble, jasper and onyx. You will also see Moorish arches – some horseshoe and others semi-circular – adorned by mosaics made from gold, silver and bronze.
