Now we’re off to a day trip in Cordoba! The two main sites we visited were the Mezquita and the Alcazar. The city of Cordoba is known for the Mezquita, also known as the Great Mosque of Cordoba, and is the second-largest mosque in the world. First, walking into the Mezquita, I was automatically introduced to the hypostyle prayer hall of the 850 red and yellow Byzantine horseshoe-shaped arches. The uniqueness of the arches and columns was that there were variations of materials consisting of jasper, marble, granite, and onyx. They were the height, so they pointed higher to point to Mecca, and were lighter. Later, the Reconquista occurred, and the mosque was converted into a Christian cathedral. In the 16th century, there were Christian additions of Renaissance and Baroque influence to the heart of the mosque, a nave, altars, and chapels after the Reconquista.

Then, the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos was the headquarters and residence for the Christian Reconquista of Spain. From the view of the stone towers, the direct axis and symmetry of the landscape architecture. My favorite part of the Alcazar was the gardens with the reflecting pools, runnels, and orange trees. The nature of Cordoba reminded me of Toledo because of the mix of Gothic, Mudéjar, and Renaissance styles. Each of these iconic gems of Cordoba is so densely layered with history that it has contributed to what Cordoba is today. I only spent the day in Cordoba and felt a feeling of peace because I think it's because of the strong gusts of wind and the water.