Gallery

Description

Property Name: Mosque of Bab al-Mardum
Inventory No: 34-925-1
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2009-08-05
Country (State party): Spain
Province: Toledo
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 39° 51′ 38.2″ N
4° 1′ 27.08″ W
Historic Period: 10th century, 2nd half
Year of Construction:
Style: Moorish
Original Use: Mosque
Current Use: Archaeological park
Architect: Unknown

Significance
It is one of the few mosques in the region, that still exhibits Moorish elements. It is a small building that has a columned entrance. These columns divide the interior into nine parts, all covered with distinct vaults. The semi-circular apsid is added by Alfonso VIII, who converted the mosque into a chapel in 1186.

Selection Criteria
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
vi. to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance

State of Preservation
It was converted into a Church, and a brick apse was added later in the Mudejar style. The original rectangular, almost square, mosque survives intact, except for the qibla wall, now replaced by a doorway. It is constructed in baked brick, stone, and plaster.

References
Hattstein, Markus and Delius, Peter. Islam Art and Architecture. Könemann. Cologne, 2000