Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba Insights

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has a rich history, transitioning from a Visigothic Basilica to a mosque under the Moors, and later to a cathedral after the Reconquista. Located in Andalucía, Spain, it is a significant monument in Islamic architecture, influencing Moorish architecture in the Western Mediterranean. The site underwent several expansions under Muslim rule, becoming the largest mosque outside Abbasid Iraq. Converted into a cathedral in 1236, it features Gothic and Renaissance elements. Despite King Charles V's criticism, its conversion saved it from destruction during the Spanish Civil War. Declared a World Heritage site in 1984, it remains a symbol of cultural and architectural fusion.

What was the original purpose of the site where the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba now stands?

• A Roman temple

• A Visigothic Basilica

• A Moorish palace

• A medieval fortress

Which region of Spain is home to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba?

• Galicia

• Andalucía

• Catalonia

• Valencia

During which years did the Muslim rule, known as Al-Andalus, occur in Spain?

• 711 to 1492

• 800 to 1200

• 900 to 1300

• 1000 to 1500

Who initiated the construction of the Great Mosque of Córdoba?

• King Ferdinand III

• Pedro Duque Cornejo

• Al-Hakim II

• Abd Al Rahman I

What architectural styles influenced the red and white double-tiered arches of the Mosque-Cathedral?

• Byzantine and Ottoman

• Renaissance and Neoclassical

• Hellenistic, Roman, and Visigoth

• Gothic and Baroque

Which ruler was responsible for the second expansion of the Mosque-Cathedral?

• Abd Al Rahman II

• Al-Hakim II

• Al-Mansur

• Abd Al Rahman III

What was the primary material used for the choir stalls crafted between 1748 and 1757?

• Mahogany wood

• Cedar wood

• Oak wood

• Pine wood

Who was the monarch that expressed dissatisfaction with the construction changes made to the Mosque-Cathedral?

• Queen Isabella I

• King Charles V

• King Ferdinand III

• King Philip II

In what year was the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba declared a UNESCO World Heritage site?

• 2004

• 2014

• 1994

• 1984

What saved the Mosque-Cathedral from being demolished during the Spanish Civil War?

• Its location in a protected area

• Its conversion to a church

• Its conversion to a museum

• Its status as a national monument