For 300 years, Córdoba served as the capital of the western Moorish empire, and before that, it was Roman Spain’s largest city (a Roman-era bridge still spans the Guadalquivir River). Today, provincial Córdoba contains one of the Moorish empire’s greatest monuments, the Mezquita. This immense and extraordinary former mosque (now a cathedral) is simply breathtaking in its architectural power and splendor. Its radiant mihrab (prayer niche) served as a model for mihrabs in both Spain and northern Africa.

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