Answer:
The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba has a rich, complex history. It was changed from basilica to mosque, to cathedral. All of this can be seen in its design, which is a rich and complicated mixture of Arabian, Catholic and Iberian elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Grand Mosque of Cordoba, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (official name) and The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, is the cathedral in Cordoba. It has a rich history and has served many purposes in the past. The land probably was first used for the Roman temple of Janus. It was build up as a basilica later, and when the Muslim community populated Cordoba around the 6th century, Christians and Muslims started sharing the sacred place. It was then completely bought by the Arab dynasty, turned into a mosque, and expanded over the centuries. When Cordoba was conquered by King Ferdinand III of Castile, the mosque was turned into the cathedral.
Because of this rich history, the art of the building is unique. The main plan parallels the early mosques, but at the very beginning, many Roman designs were incorporated, such as columns and mosaics. The materials used include ivory, silver, gold, copper, brass, red marble, onyx, granite, and jasper. Hypostyle hall includes over 850 columns and is one of the most famous parts of the building. Another symbolic feature is the horseshoe arch, which was common in the architecture, but as made especially rich with gold and glass pieces, and beautiful calligraphic writings. The dome is covered in mosaics, while also resembling Gothic ribbed architecture. The whole design of the massive complex is a mix of Arab, Catholic, and Iberian elements.