I dare you to pick the best in your country

Each and every country in the world is surrounded by astonishing cultural landmarks, incredible festivals, amazing historical events… even your own country owns a huge list where to choose from. Do you think you can do it? 

 This is my dazzling place: it is situated in a city in southern Spain. It is not very big or too small. It has a river which divides it almost in two halves and is situated in an ancient neighbourhood in a very old city. Nowadays, it is a huge building with a patio, but originally it was smaller and with no garden. However, though the course of its life it has undergone four big construction renovations by four different highly ranked leaders. 

Rarely have you seen yourself alone in the building. A few years ago it was included in the World Heritage List. Thus, it is very difficult to wander and stroll, mostly at weekends. It is an impressive building. Rectangular shape with high walls surrounding the orange trees patio with three big wooden doors and a Christian tower next to the main gate. It has three fountains, one on the outside façade for people passing by and two in the inside to water the orange trees.

The inside of this particular landmark is unique, with marble arches in two different colours, red and white. It has more than three hundred stone columns. The majority of those pillars come from the surrounding quarries. The colours vary from white to pink and from red to a strange blue. Each column is marked with a peculiar signature from the head master at the quarry. The main Islamic place to pray, called the Mihrab is almost indescribable with a golden arch in exquisite and delicate design. It is one of my favourite places to be.

The last renovation was carried out to build a cathedral inside this beautiful building, including the musical instrument of an organ on top of the altar. They also added individual niches where devoted people could pray to their specific Saint or Virgin. 

I guess you have already found out what place I am talking about: the only Mosque and Cathedral in the world, situated in Cordoba, Andalusia. I am glad they did not destroy it, even though many considered it was a sacrilege that two different religions, the Christian and the Islamic, could live under the same roof.

Elena Casimiro, C1