The second performance by the Islington Choral Society ๐ถ was in Cordoba, so we all hopped on a bus ๐and off we went for the day.Cordoba was all about the Mezquita ๐ค. This is a truly splendid building (although you would never know from the outside) and it is technically a mosque-cathedral ๐. A Christian temple stood on the original site, and in 784 the original structures were demolished and the grand mosque of Cordoba ๐ค was built. In 1236 when Cordoba returned to Christian rule the building was converted into a Roman Catholic church โช๏ธ and in the 16th century a renaissance cathedral nave was inserted in the centre.When you enter you are confronted by rows and rows of arches in a red and white stripe pattern โช๏ธ๐ด - the building is square, and the arches seem to go on for ever in certain directions โ๏ธโ๏ธ. However, built into the centre is a cathedral nave โช๏ธ, with an alter and area for the choir ๐ฏ. The nave has been built into the original structure of the mosque, so it feels almost as though it could always have been there - it is like a large well lit ๐ก room surrounded by rows and and rows of arches . There are also side chapels โช๏ธsurrounding the entire building, again built into the arches. In the arched areas the light is intermittent ๐ฆ- we were there on a beautifully sunny day, and the dark and light give the whole building a rather magical atmosphere๐ฎ. It is a truly amazing, and no description can match actually being there - there is so much to take in the combination of moorish and christian architecture and decoration is extraordinary.After the Mezquita, we had a quick wander around Cordoba in the sunshine, - they have a courtyard competition ๐which was about to take place, and we spied many well laid out, and decorated courtyards - and then it was time for concert number 2๐ถ. The church, Parroquia de San Hipolito, was completely different to the one the night before - very simple with white washed walls and the acoustics were better this time. Again a full audience ๐!Alice xxx