Cordoba, the Real City of Light

Cordoba, the Real City of Light

By: Didimus Estanto T.

(Dimuat di Majalah Aquinas edisi Februari 2016)

Cordoba also called Cordova  is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province of Cordoba. It was conquered by invading Islamic armies in the 8th century, and then became the capital of the Islamic Emirate and then Caliphate of Cordoba, including most of the Iberian Peninsula. Cordoba was the city of knowledge and tolerance in the 10th century. Located on the Europe which very dominant with Christianity, Cordoba exist with bright and honor. It brought the new knowledge and concept  about how human race supposed to live. They gave an example to gather together as a different person, religion, and ideology. This purpose influence the way this city is found, built and kept.

Cordoba was founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC near the preexisting Tartesic Corduba, capital of Baetica, Cordoba acquired great importance during the period of Emperor Augustus. It became the capital of the emirate depending on Damascus in the 8th century. In 929, Abderraman III established it as the headquarters of the independent Caliphate. Cordoba’s period of greatest glory began in the 8th century after the Moorish conquest, when some 300 mosques and innumerable palaces and public buildings were built to rival the splendors of Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. In the 13th century, under Ferdinand III, Cordoba’s Great Mosque was turned into a cathedral and new defensive structures, particularly the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and the Torre Foraleza de la Calahorra, were erected.

In the 10th and 11th centuries, Cordoba was one of the most advanced cities in the world as well as a great cultural, political, financial and economic center. Cordoba was the most populous city in the world and under the rule of Caliph Al Hakam II, it had also become a center for education under its Islamic rulers. Al Hakam II opened many libraries in addition to the many medical schools and universities which existed at this time. During these centuries, Cordoba became a predominantly Muslim society with minorities living in a restricted second-class status. Even though they was restricted, they keep honor and respect the other. Caliph Al Hakam II was a really humble man with a great concept of tolerance. He accept every ideology and new concept which build the city into the better place to learn and stay. By applying this tolerance and open minded concept, they were the only one who can go pass the renaissance era with a sparkling civilization.

The most iconic building in Cordoba is The Great Mosque of Cordoba. This is the representation of the tolerance and respectfulness of the diversity of human race. In that time, the issue of Christianity is surely big. The proverb “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” which means there is no salvation outside Church is really influence almost all people in Europe. Therefore, it is really hard for Cordoba to build their civilization of Islamic tolerance. This mosque is erected in 8th century and in the same time when it is built, the Saint Vincent Church is also built. This means they also consider about others religion, others believes. Unfortunately, during the Spanish invasions, Cordoba was captured by King Ferdinand III of Castile on 29 June 1236 and the great mosque of Cordoba was redecorate into a cathedral. Nowadays, the mosque/ cathedral has turned into a museum and no religious activity is allowed and become the main symbol of Cordoba.

To sum up, Cordoba is a real proof of a good society. Cordoba proves that tolerance and respectfulness is a best way to bind the gap of diversity. By applying the good concept, human race can be a sparkling as the stars’ bright on that civilization. Even thought people cannot see what they have done in the past but the past, people can see the proof of the Great Mosque of Cordoba. The great artificial memories of tolerance. They also shown the power of the minor people who live in the different way also can give a precious thing for the world. By inspiring other people with their concept tolerance, Cordoba deserve for the tittle the real city of light.