Islam was the religion of the ruling dynasty. Though for only a short while (historically speaking), the area flourished as a cultural center underneath this Islamic empire. Grand mosques were built from plaster and brick, exhibiting buttresses, pointed arcs, crenelated walls, and a rectangular style that would influence the architecture of the next era.
But things were not destined to remain this way. Muslims were foreigners, occupiers, and even oppressors to some. Before long, the tide had turned. Christianity, the predominant religion of the land rose up from beneath as well as the surrounding area, and with the people ended Muslim rule.
While this easily sounds like a story you would hear in the future looking back at our time now as a past event, this isn't. This already happened -- in the twelfth century of a city called Seville in Andalusia, Spain.
Naturally, the Moors built many mosques to establish a firmer grasp of dominance over this beautiful corner of the world. One of the most significant in history was begun in 1172. It was grand, but not the most magnificent. Even so, this single piece of architecture was the beginning one of the most influential churches throughout history. By its cultural influence, the Moorish capital at the time was relocated to Seville, with this mosque as its centerpiece. While this marked a turning point in the political machine of the reigning establishment, that point in time was only the beginning of how this one creative pile of brick and plaster would inspire and cultivate an architectural style, the country, and even the world. (Archnet, 2010)
The Almohad caliph Abu Ya'qub Yusuf ruled Andalusia from 1163-1184 during the period of the mosque's construction. Unbeknownst at the time, the Almohad dynasty would be the last one to know this region as al-Andalus. It would also mark the last time in history Seville was under Islamic rule. (Archnet, 2010)
Seville was finally liberated in 1248 by Castile's King Fernando III during the crusades, which over centuries gradually liberated the Iberian peninsula and all of its inhabitants from Moorish Islamic reign. (Wikipedia, 2010)
Unfortunately, Spain is located geologically close to an old but major tectonic rift system that is comprised of the plates responsible for the Alps, the Jura Mountains, and the Rhine Graben -- which is prone to infrequent but devastating activity. In 1356, the area suffered the most significant earthquake in the area in recorded history still. Because of the damage, in 1401 the mosque was destroyed to make way for a new historical monument, the Catedral de Seville. (Wikipedia, 2010)
Since the Reconquista of Spain, Seville itself became a major trading center of the region. To demonstrate this, a new church was erected, by oral tradition, "a work such as good, which [is] like no other,", "let a church so beautiful and so great [be built] that those who see it built will think we were mad." The construction carried on for just over a century, from 1402 to 1506 with the efforts funded from the church workers. Even so, the dome collapsed shortly thereafter and later due to another earthquake, with work continuing on the cathedral up until 1903. (Wikipedia, 2010)
The structure we recognize today was built with the same rectangular base-plan of the mosque, though it is notably much taller. There are still some original parts of the mosque included, one of which is the Patio de los Naranjos, an 'entrance court of the oranges.' This patio just outside of the cathedral played an important role in Moorish times. Before their prayers, worshippers would stop here to wash their hands and feet. (Quintero, 2010)
In addition, the foundation was laid to the plan of the original mosque, making it one of the largest churches in the world at just over 11 thousand square meters. Breaking multiple records, this Cathedral is the third largest in Europe. That was not all the builders borrowed. They continued to use elements from the original architecture. One of the most famous pieces is the Giralda (a minaret converted into a bell tower), which was one of the city's most important symbols in medieval European times and continues to be so until this day. According to tourists, the view from the top of this monumental structure is worth the climb alone. Some of important things to note about the exquisite architecture of this particular cathedral are its newer additions: the central nave, the Capilla Mayor, the Capitular, and the Sacrista Mayor.
The astounding height added by the later Christian architects is most discernable upon entering the central nave. According to Quintero, "Its central nave rises to an awesome 42 metres and even the side chapels seem tall enough to contain an ordinary church." She goes on to give an excellent description of the basic yet astonishing style that characterizes the early grand gothic cathedrals of the time:
"Sheer size and grandeur are, inevitably, the chief characteristics of the Cathedral, but as you grow used to the gloom, two other qualities stand out with equal force - the rhythmic balance and interplay between the parts, and an impressive overall simplicity and restraint in decoration. All successive ages have left monuments of their own wealth and style, but these have been restricted to the two rows of side chapels. In the main body of the cathedral only the great box like structure of the coro stands out, filling the central portion of the nave."
Next, you will come to the Capilla Mayor containing a prominent lamina comprised of 45 carved scenes from Christ's life. It is the life's work of Dancart, and according to Quintero, "is the ultimate masterpiece of the cathedral - the largest and richest altarpiece in the world and one of the finest examples of Gothic woodcarving anywhere." It is a testament to the dedication of belief of a single craftsman. The antechamber opens up into the Capitular where, between the domed mirrored ceiling and the marbled floor, the finest paintings by Murillo captivate those who come to be inspired.
Next to this masterpiece is the Sacrista Mayor, whose purpose as a treasury becomes quickly apparent. "Amid a confused collection of silver reliquaries and monastrances are the keys presented to Fernando by the Moorish and Jewish communities on the surrender of the city, sculpted into the latter in stylised Arabic script are the words, 'May Allah render eternal the dominion of Islam in the city.'" (Quintero, 2010)
But there are many other priceless treasures here. From the artwork, architecture, collected bits and pieces of silver and gold to the tomb of Christopher Columbus, it is evident that this is a Gothic Cathedral steeped in a rich history. It has been ravaged by time, weather, and the earth itself and it has been demolished by civilization, but it has always been rebuilt. The Catedral Seville is has been a continuous testament throughout the ages of the impact that grand architecture can have on a society. Surely this cathedral will continue its plight to teach, inspire, and enrich the world with its wealth and beauty.
References
undefined. (January 5, 2010). Seville Cathedral. In Sacred Destinations. Retrieved January 6, 2010, from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/seville-cathedral.
undefined. (January 6, 2010). Almohad Caliphate. In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 6, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almohad_Caliphate.
Quintero, J. (n.d.). The Cathedral of Seville. In Andalucia. Retrieved January 6, 2010, from http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/cathedral.htm.
undefined. (n.d.). Great Mosque of Seville. In Archnet. Retrieved January 3, 2010, from http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=3998.
undefined. (January 3, 2010). Seville Cathedral. In Wikipedia. Retrieved January 6, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seville_Cathedral
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