Historian John A. Souto presented yesterday at the new library Luque his work “The mosque Mosque of Cordoba”, an essay that makes a “general reflection” this Islamic monument and aims to raise awareness of the functionality and constructive evolution of the temple through its architecture.
Souto, Professor seated in Córdoba, explains in his book that “the monument is much more than what you can see at a glance”, so try “show a fascinating building” which was instrumental in the formation of a culture, Islamic, and which in turn helped forge the identity of Andalusia and Europe.
Throughout their 120 pages the author provides the basic keys to understanding the Mosque, constitutes a building “the most representative realization” the formation of Al-Andalus, from its beginnings to its consolidation and decline, Souto points. Thus, the history of Al-Andalus revolves around the Islamic models which are reflected in this monument. So, according to historian, analysis of the building shows its own evolution and the regime in which is inserted.
This work didactic, Alandalus included in the collection and edited by the Institute of Islamic Studies and the Middle East -a joint center that develops between the collaboration between the Cortes of Aragon, the Higher Council for Scientific Research and the University of Zaragoza- is directed to the general public, but especially a type of tourism worship and quality, those interested in Islamic art, in Andalusia, in Cordoba, and especially so, in the Mosque. To build the mosque Mosque of Cordoba, the author has made a “touch approach” through “a very long stay in the building” beginning in 1985.
I just read the guide Souto on the Mosque and I must say that I found splendid, the best synthesis of the monument that I've read so far from the structural point of view, but also from the point of view symbolic. I especially appreciated the first part where the author contacted the Umayyad Cordoba wonderful monument with all possible Islamic precedents: Al Aqsa, The Rock, the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, the Kairouan, the desert castles, etc.. And also the chronological unfolding of relations between the extensions and political situations of the moment.
It is noted that the author has been much ink will print and eager to do so because the millimeter compression can not hide the effort to restrain.
I've missed, however, two things: a simple sketch of a couple of problematic issues: one the mystery of the orientation of the qibla wall, the author dispenses with a simple "with a slight detour south" (pg. 22), when really the deviation is huge: namely, the qibla is not to look to Mecca, is looking directly at the heart of the Sahara. The other a little deeper point about mosaics mihrab, A comparative mini-survey regarding musivario art of the time lapropia both Constantinople and the Mosque of Damascus.
Messrs: I would appreciate it if you could inform me where I can find the mentioned guide. I am a student of art history and this course I have to present a work on the roof of the Mosque and living in Lleida it is a bit difficult for me to find information. Thanking you in advance, I greet you atte.