File:Spain (1895) (14778528882).jpg

Identifier: spaindeam02deam (find matches)
Title: Spain
Year: 1895 (1890s)
Authors: De Amicis, Edmondo, 1846-1908
Subjects:
Publisher: New York : Merrill and Baker
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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ally scratching with his nails, hesucceeded in engraving a cross on the stone, whichthe guides show with profound veneration. We entered the Maksura, which is the most per-fect and marvellous work of Moorish art of the twelfthcentury. At the entrance there are three continuouschapels, with vaulted roofs formed by indentedarches, and walls covered with magnificent mosaicswhich represent wreaths and flowers and passagesfrom the Koran. At the back of the middle chapelis the principal mihrab, the holy place, where dweltthe Spirit of God. It is a niche with an octagonalbase enclosed above by a colossal marble shell. Inthe mihrab was kept the Koran Avritten by the handsof the caliph Othman, covered with gold, adornedwith pearls, suspended above a seat of aloe-wood ; and here came thousands of the faithful tomake the circuit of it seven times on their knees.On approaching the wall I felt the pavement slip-ping from under me: the marble had been wornhoUow! Interior of the Mosque, Corcfoz>a
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COKDOVA. 73 On leaving the niche I stood a long time contem-plating the vault and the walls of the principalchapel, the only part of the mosque which has beenpreserved almost intact. It is a dazzling flash ofcrystals of a thousand colors, an interweaving ofarabesques which confuse the mind, a mingling ofbas-reliefs, gilding, ornaments, and minute details ofdesign and coloring of a delicacy, grace, and perfec-tion which would prove the despair of the most pa-tient artist. It is impossible to retain in ones mindany part of that prodigious work: you might returna himdred times to look at it, but in reality it wouldonly remain before your eyes as a tantalizing blurof blue, red, green, golden, and luminous shades ofcolors, or a very intricate piece of embroidery con-tinually and rapidly changing in color and design.Only from the ardent and tireless imagination of theMoors could such a miracle of art have issued. We began to wander through the mosque again,observing here and there on the wa

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