Cordoba

 One of the most interesting places so far, there is a massive mosque. Massive.

Built by the Moors/Muslims when they ran the world. 

There was an interesting period here, during what was called “La Convivencia”, from the 9th till the 12th centuries.

While ruled by the Muslims, there was a tolerance for other religions. So, during this time, Muslims, Jews  and Christians lived together in relative cooperation. 

If only that had continued, we would be in a different world today.

Then things changed. As we know, sometimes society evolves, and sometimes it devolves.

Soon after Ferdinand and Isobella won that victory, they started merging the different kingdoms into one Spain. They then started what was called Religious Uniformity. Jews and Muslims were given a few weeks to either convert to Catholicism, or leave.

When the Muslims were booted by the Christians, the mosque in Cordoba was not destroyed or rebuilt in the Christian style dejour. That alone was unusual. As in every normal conquest, the victor remakes their spoils in their own image. 

You see that after most elections. The winning party spends most of their first term unpicking what the last guys did, just because they did it. 

So this building was left intact, with one major modification. 

They built a cathedral inside, down one end.

The whole place is a church 24-7, but they haven’t touched the Muslim architecture or Arabic literature.

A fascinating place.