Notes on the Geography of Spain: Cordoba: Medina AzaharaThe Medina Azahara--originally the Medina al-Zahra--was begun as the new capital of al-Andalous in 929, the year Abdel Rahman III declared himself caliph. A rectangle measuring about 750 by 1,500 meters, it was ready for occupancy in 946 but did not become the capital until 981. A mere 25 years later, in 1004, a Berber revolt destroyed it so completely that until the 19th century the ruins remained a mystery. Archaeological work began in 1911, but the site is still 90% buried. Ironically, the much flimsier Alhambra at Granada remains intact, thanks to protection by later kings. Make default image size larger ![]() Residents were paid a bounty if they built a house in the new city, which grew quickly. Its name means City of the Flower but comes from a prized concubine of that name. That's Cordoba in the background. ![]() An elaborate system of canals, aqueducts, and tunnels brought water about 10 miles to the site. ![]() The vestibule to an audience chamber is the one building on the site that evokes the city as it was. ![]() The ceiling is modern, though the original was of arbor vitae from North Africa, a very longlasting timber in this climate. Just not this longlived. ![]() Two arcades divide the room into three sections. The columns were presumably taken from Roman buildings. ![]() The columns support well-developed horseshoe arches and polychrome or ablaq voissoirs./P> ![]() The arches rest on a distinctive capital. The sculpted wall panels above are called atauriques . ![]() An ataurique showing the tree of life. ![]() The head of the hall echoes the mihrab of the mosque in Cordoba, right down to the framing alfiz. ![]() The building at the left deviates from the rest of the city, which faced south. That's because it was the mosque and faced southeast, toward Mecca. |
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