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The Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain

1. Marble columns were used to construct the mosque’s interior, inspired by roman and

Byzantine architecture. Marble columns were transformed in Islamic Mosque architecture

by adding inscriptions about the Islamic faith and values.

2. The Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain used distinctive horseshoe arches borrowed from

ancient Roman times and later became prevalent and closely associated with Islamic

architecture. The horseshoe arches were transformed by being made taller to fit the

Islamic architectural style.

3. The alternation of red and white brick voussoirs was incorporated in the construction of

the Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain a feature inspired by Roman and Byzantine

buildings.

4. The decorations of The Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain include calligraphic

inscriptions and geometric patterns widely used in Roman and Byzantine art. The

Construction of the mosque transformed this technique to suit the Islamic context

creating a unique style for Islamic Mosque architecture.

5. The Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain has domes constructed with interlocking bricks

that were influenced by byzantine architecture and roman architecture respectively.

6. The mihrab, a geometric design in the Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain was decorated

using byzantine style architecture. The byzantine style used mosaics that featured

calligraphic inscriptions and intricate geometric patterns that Islamic architecture adopted

and transformed to suit decoration and art in Islamic architecture.

7. The Great Mosque of Córdoba was constructed with a central courtyard a feature that was

dominant in Roman and Byzantine architecture. The Islamic context adapted and
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transformed this feature into Islamic architecture to show emphasis on communal

gatherings and prayers in Islam.

8. The overall design of the mosque was influenced by Roman and Byzantine architecture.

The decorations are made of geometric patterns, calligraphic inscriptions, and plant

motifs borrowed from Byzantine and Roman architecture. Islamic architecture

transformed the style of the decorations to reflect their emphasis on order and harmony.

Transformations were made to earlier cultures’ architecture but the aesthetic qualities were

still retained.