User:MC2554/Mosque of Cristo de la Luz

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The building is a small square structure, measuring roughly 8 m × 8 m, with a later semi-circular apse added to the east side. Built mostly from brick and stone, the building features four columns adorned with capitals, supporting horseshoe arches that artfully define the interior into nine unique compartments or bays. Four columns capped with capitals support covering each of these bays is a vault with a distinctive design that is unique unto itself. Each vault employs the use of ribs to create the designs that make them unique. Each of these ribs display a use of the basic ideas of Islamic design. The ribs typically do not cross in the center, an idea that is seen in many Muslim designs. Some of the designs are more rectilinear while others embrace the curved forms of the vault more prominently. Within each one is a piece of their culture and tradition of building. The ribs in the domes are related to subsequent early Gothic architecture.[ ] The cupola of the central vault is higher than the other ones and its ribs form a star shape. The columns and the capitals are spolia taken from previous buildings. Three of the capitals are originally of Visigothic origin.

The construction techniques are a reflection of both the local building tradition as well as the influence from the caliphate in Córdoba. The influence of the caliphate can be seen in the brickwork on the façade of the building which resembles those seen at the Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba. Originally the eastern wall was a continuous stretch of brick and served as the qibla wall for the mosque. Also located along this side would have been a mihrab used for worship. The former mihrab consisted of a niche inside a square section which was slightly larger than the other nine bays of the mosque.

The other three facades are articulated by three-bay arcades. All are similar, but individual in their decoration. The western wall which served as the main entrance is unique in how the arcade is articulated. This façade has a lobed arch, horseshoe arch, and a wider version of a horseshoe arch. Brickwork arches provide the decoration for the façade, influenced by the architecture in Córdoba.[ ]

In later years, a Mudéjar-style semi-circular apse was added. In the process of the addition the qibla wall and mihrab were lost. The use of the Mudéjar style provided a smooth transition from the original structure to the apse, as the addition uses the same style of decoration and materials as the original. The continuation of the arch motif is an important link between the two sections of the building.

There is a small garden next to the building with a small fountain in the center.

Religious History
'''The mosque when first built during the Islamic era on behalf of Aḥmad Ibn Ḥadīd, aimed as a spot to practice Muslim beliefs. During the Reconquista while Christian's were attacking Muslims and trying to evict them from the Iberian Peninsula the mosque was taken over. When this happened this caused many of the renovations because of the new religious practices. There are many overlaying Muslim and Christian themes also because of this. It remains a Catholic Mosque to this day.'''