Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-22
A FAMOUS MOSQUE.
The Magnificent Structure Built by
the Moors at cordova, Spain.

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the Moors at cordova, Spain.
The first sensation Of traveller on en-
tering the Mosque of Cordova, Spain, so
famous throughout the world, is of wonder
and bewilderment; and more than one
visit is required before he can distinguish
the original structure or understand the
changes that have been made in it. will
give brief description OF the mosque as
It was built in 7S6 and the following
years. It was 642 feet long by 462 wide,
the walls battlemented and flanked
with towers, the roof fiat, the beams ap-
parent and richly gilt. 1t was divided
into nineteen aisles running the longer
way by pillars bearing simple, lofty
arches. These aisles were crossed by
twenty-nine others, rather more narrow
and bearing double arches, like two bows
one above another. The whole number
of pillars was 1900. 1t had nineteen
handsome and varied portals, and the in
terror of the walls were worked like lace
with marble and stucco. On one side was
the holy Of holies, the 8Eh-rab, little
chapel with floor and roof of marble, and
a little way from it was another chapel,
called the seat of the Khalif, with floor
Of silver. This was the whole construc-
ton of the old mosque. Upon the two
chapels and the space between them were
lavished all the riches of wealth and
genius. They remain intact and are in
describably beautiful, like fairy palaces,
with mosaics, carvings, interlacing
arches, and Inscriptions in solid gold.
The mosaic work is superior to any in the
world, and resembles incrustations of jew
els. The Mih-rab was lighted by golden
lamp of /, ,454 lights and candle weigh
ing sixty pounds, while all the roof of
the rest of the mosque was hung with
silver and bronze lamps, 10, 805 lights in
all. The Mih-rab contained pulpit or
reading desk inelosing the Koran of
ivory and precious stones, worth 50, 900,
900, which was stolen not many years
ago. We can hardly fancy anything
more splendid than this mosque must
have been when lighted up. Under
Charles ". in 1921 the alterations were
begun. The roof was taken down and the
aisles vaulted over. AT the end of each
aisle hideous chapel to some saint was
inclosed; the doors were built up, with
the exception of two or three, and a
church was erected in the middle of the
forest of pillars, most incongruous i'm
pertinence, at which the Emperor, when
he saw what had been done, was very
angry. ssYou have spoiled" said he,
'.what can never be replaced" Such in.
deed was the fact. But enough is left
for wonder and for beauty; and if yor
turn your back to the church and gazt
through one of the interlacing aisles that
remain. the changing effects of perspect
i've are magical. The pillars, of which
$50 still stand, are of porphyry, iaspel
and marble, sent from Italy, Africa ane
the East; they have no bases, and tn,
capitals, afterwards added, are simple ant
rather clumsy. The double arches whicl
rest on them are formed of alternate lay
ers of red brick and white stone, which
fortunately have not been whitewashec
over, and supply the single piece o
color left of the gorgeous hues Of old
The MOSQUE, wonderful and most valu
able as it is, is indeed but ghost Of it
former self. The Court of Oranges
which fianks the northern side OF tn
building, is very picturesque, surrounds
by arcades and filled with orange an
palm trees, among which are three Moor
ish fountains. On one side of the coul
stood formerly the exquisite minaret 9
the mosque, which was blown down by
hurricane, and has been replaced by a
insignificant tower.-[San Francisc
Chronicle.