Monotheistic sacred Spaces
The sacred spaces of the three monotheistic religions have certain characteristic that they share in common. They share some elements and their purpose is to communicate with their one God as well as praise the messiah that has been brought by that god (Jesus, Moses and Muhammad). Their sacred spaces are also places were people come to learn how to become a proper follower of that religion through the teaching of values.
Mosque - Cathedral Mezquita de Cordoba
One phenomenon in which two of the main monotheistic religion's sacred spaces are compared 'side by side' is in the Mosque-Cathedral of Mezquita de Cordoba. Originally occupied by a Visigothic Church the Moors converted it into a mosque after the conquest in late 8th Century. Then, in 1523 the decision was taken to place a Cathedral in the middle of the Mosque. The two sacred places other than being mixed together are still greatly differentiated from each other, even with clear divisions between the two.
Examples on Sacred Space Similarities
Example 1:
Mosque
Minaret: The Muezzin climbs to the top to call the Muslims to prayer
Both
Contains tall thin towers above the sacred space (building) to call people.
Cathedral
Church Spire: Used to point to heaven. Often has bells in it to tell the worshippers that there is service to do in the church
*The tower located in Mezquita de Cordoba has taken been both types of towers throughout time and re-modeled to adequate the styles of each sacred space.
Mosque
Minaret: The Muezzin climbs to the top to call the Muslims to prayer
Both
Contains tall thin towers above the sacred space (building) to call people.
Cathedral
Church Spire: Used to point to heaven. Often has bells in it to tell the worshippers that there is service to do in the church
*The tower located in Mezquita de Cordoba has taken been both types of towers throughout time and re-modeled to adequate the styles of each sacred space.
Example 2
Mosque
Mihrab: It is an alcove in the wall facing Mecca (therefore faces the House of God located in Mecca) and it is a place for prayer.
Both
Reminder of important history and belief of that religion
One of the focuses in prayer
Cathedral
The Altar : Reminder of the Last Supper and worshippers face the altar during mass.
*The original Mihrab of the Mosque part in Mezqita de Cordoba was replaced by the Villaviciosa Chapel.The picture presents the present-day Mihrab.
Example 3 - Use of Water
Mosque
Sahn: Fountains of water inside the courtyard to symbolise purity and a place for Muslims to clean themselves before prayer (Wudu). This is believed to make the worshiper be pure towards Allah and makes the prayer effective.
Both
They are both a use of purification of the body from all evil and impurity.
Cathedral
Church Font: The water in the font is used when a child is baptised to represent how the child is now blessed by the Holy Spirit. It is represented as a new beginning or rebirth to the eyes of God. It is the entrance to Catholicism.
Mosque
Mihrab: It is an alcove in the wall facing Mecca (therefore faces the House of God located in Mecca) and it is a place for prayer.
Both
Reminder of important history and belief of that religion
One of the focuses in prayer
Cathedral
The Altar : Reminder of the Last Supper and worshippers face the altar during mass.
*The original Mihrab of the Mosque part in Mezqita de Cordoba was replaced by the Villaviciosa Chapel.The picture presents the present-day Mihrab.
Example 3 - Use of Water
Mosque
Sahn: Fountains of water inside the courtyard to symbolise purity and a place for Muslims to clean themselves before prayer (Wudu). This is believed to make the worshiper be pure towards Allah and makes the prayer effective.
Both
They are both a use of purification of the body from all evil and impurity.
Cathedral
Church Font: The water in the font is used when a child is baptised to represent how the child is now blessed by the Holy Spirit. It is represented as a new beginning or rebirth to the eyes of God. It is the entrance to Catholicism.
*To the right - Wudu ; To the Left - Church Font
Example 4:
Mosque
Minbar: It is what the Imam uses to speak to congregation. It contains several steps and is situated next to the Mihrab.
Both
Used for the speaker or prayer leader to speak to the worshippers.
Cathedral
Pulpit: It is a raised platform that is situated next to the altar and it is were the priest stands to speak to the worshippers.
Example 4:
Mosque
Minbar: It is what the Imam uses to speak to congregation. It contains several steps and is situated next to the Mihrab.
Both
Used for the speaker or prayer leader to speak to the worshippers.
Cathedral
Pulpit: It is a raised platform that is situated next to the altar and it is were the priest stands to speak to the worshippers.
To the right - Pulpit To the left - Minbar
Differences Between a Mosque and a Cathedral
The major differences between a Mosque and a Cathedral include:
Decoration
One of the major differences between a mosque and a Cathedral are the decoration and style they present. Although they are both based by the Byzantine Era, the Cathedral in this sacred space has a Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance inspired decoration and the Mosque is based around the Hypostyle Mosque design and geometric art decorations.
Mosque
Decoration
One of the major differences between a mosque and a Cathedral are the decoration and style they present. Although they are both based by the Byzantine Era, the Cathedral in this sacred space has a Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance inspired decoration and the Mosque is based around the Hypostyle Mosque design and geometric art decorations.
Mosque
- The hypostyle style characteristic of a forest of columns is applied in the Great Mosque of Cordoba. The columns contain bi-color, two tier arches that emphasise the optical effect the hypostyle hall gives.
- The Geometric art design is traditional in Islamic mosques and sacred texts. As the images of Allah are forbidden than this are replaced by geometric art shapes. |
Cathedral
The Cathedral is made of marble and mahogany woods, with ivory and silver. They are also works of art from Miguel Verdiguer. The decorations and images all are influenced by the gothic cathedrals as well baroque and the renaissance.
The Cathedral is made of marble and mahogany woods, with ivory and silver. They are also works of art from Miguel Verdiguer. The decorations and images all are influenced by the gothic cathedrals as well baroque and the renaissance.
Arrangement and Structure
Cathedral: Because of the influences from Gothic Cathedrals, this one follows a similar structure, which includes the form of a rectangular room, pointed arches, rib vaulting and buttreses. It also often has a cross shaped floor plan pointing to Jerusalem.
Mosque: A mosque is domed structure with outer rings and entryways and is pointed towards Mecca.
Here is the mixture of the two structures mixed together:
Mosque: A mosque is domed structure with outer rings and entryways and is pointed towards Mecca.
Here is the mixture of the two structures mixed together: