Once upon a time I had an incredible history
teacher called Mr. Ullman, who inspired his Islamic Studies students with his
sheer fascination, knowledge and enthusiasm for the eccentricities left behind
on the fluctuating frontlines of where east met west. I spent hours
doodling the designs projected in that dark classroom including one particularly
poignant image of red, striped double arches that haunted my notes for many
months. So when I entered Córdoba’s Mezquita, I unexpectedly stepped back in
time into Mr. Ullman’s classroom and saw the very real and mind-blowing
interior of the Great Mosque with its misplaced cathedral emerging from the heart
of that sacred place. And this strange overlap of cultures, religions and
architectural styles is a theme that extends through the narrow curled streets of
this UNESCO World Heritage Site. I floated around the ancient town and its charming
Jewish quarter utterly enchanted by the strange mixture of listening to gypsy flamenco and eating ingredients once
brought from the Americas in Arab courtyards filled with colourful geraniums,
orange trees and Christian shrines.
I would like to acknowledge the patience of my friend, Alessio and thank him for leaving me to get swept up in the inspiration and magic of the city... and take 1000 photographs.
