The Great Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita) was built in 785, with subsequent expansion upto 971 as the population of Cordoba grew. The Mezquita was built along the street pattern established by the Romans resulting in the direction being 43 degrees out of alignment with Mecca. During prayers the Iman, but not the other worshippers, puts his mat at an angle so as to correct this.
In 1236 it was re-designated as a cathedral but unlike Seville the Christians remodelled it rather than destroying it. The remodelling was completed in the 16th century with the building of a classical quire and nave in the centre of the mosque structure, with a dome to let light into the space. The minaret was converted into a bell tower which can be accessed today by around 200 steps in small groups.
Shilli-Fully Travels 