Europe’s Oldest Islamic Monument: The Great Mosque of Córdoba

Located in Spain, the Great Mosque of Córdoba (Mezquita-Catedral) is the oldest surviving Islamic architectural monument in the European Union. Constructed in 785 CE during the Umayyad Emirate of Córdoba, it exemplifies Moorish architecture, characterized by horseshoe arches, intricate geometric mosaics, and a hypostyle prayer hall.

Historical records, including 10th-century chronicles by Ibn Hayyan and archaeological studies of its foundations, confirm its origins as a mosque built atop a Visigothic church. Later, after the Christian Reconquista, a cathedral was added in its center, creating a unique blend of Islamic and Christian architecture.

Beyond its age, the mosque holds exceptional cultural significance as a symbol of Al-Andalus’s golden age—a period of religious coexistence and scholarly advancement. Unlike later Islamic structures in the EU (e.g., Granada’s Alhambra), its innovative double-arch system influenced medieval European architecture, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a testament to Islam’s profound impact on Europe.