The extent of ancient Cordova has been differently stated, owing, no doubt, to the rapid increase of its population and the expansion of the buildings under the Sultans of the dynasty of Merwan on the one hand, and on the other, to the calamities and disasters by which it was afflicted under the last sovereigns of that house. Cordova is further described by Mohammedan writers as a city which never ceased augmenting in size, and increasing in importance from the time of its subjugation by the Moslems until A.D. 1009-10, when, civil war breaking out within it, the capital fell from its ancient splendour, gradually decaying and losing its former magnificence until its final destruction A.D. 1236, when it fell into the hands of the Christians. [Illustration: PLATE 1. VIEW OF THE CITY AND THE BRIDGE SOUTH OF THE GUADALQUIVIR.] [Illustration: PLATE 2. THE BRIDGE.] [Illustration: PLATE 3. VIEW OF MOSQUE AND BRIDGE.] [Illustration: PLATE 4. THE IRON MILL ON THE GUADALQUIVIR.] [Illustration: PLATE 5. PROMENADE OF “GRAND CAPITAINE.”] [Illustration: PLATE 6. MARKET STREET OR CALLE DE LA FERIA.] [Illustration: PLATE 7. PLAZA DEL TRIUNFO AND EXTERIOR OF THE MOSQUE.] [Illustration: PLATE 8. ENTRANCE GATE OF THE CITY, THE COLUMN OF TRIUMPH, AND THE MOSQUE FROM THE BRIDGE.] [Illustration: PLATE 9. THE COLUMN OF TRIUMPH.] [Illustration: PLATE 10. ANCIENT ARAB TOWER, NOW THE CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS DE LA VILLA.] [Illustration: PLATE 11. THE TOWER OF SAN NICOLAS.] [Illustration: PLATE 12. TOWER OF THE CATHEDRAL AND PATIO DE LOS NARANJOS.] [Illustration: PLATE 13. VIEW OF THE PATIO DE LOS NARANJOS.] [Illustration: PLATE 14. THE TOWER OF THE CATHEDRAL.] [Illustration: PLATE 15. ENTRANCE TO THE CITY FROM THE BRIDGE.] [Illustration: PLATE 16. PUBLIC FOUNTAIN IN THE PATIO DE LOS NARANJOS.] [Illustration: PLATE 17. WOMEN AT THE SPRING.] [Illustration: PLATE 18. SPRING IN THE PATIO DE LOS NARANJOS.] [Illustration: PLATE 19. PEASANT WITH HIS DONKEY.] [Illustration: PLATE 20. A WATER-CARRIER.] [Illustration: PLATE 21. THE POOR MAN’S MEAL.] [Illustration: PLATE 22. MULETEERS.] [Illustration: PLATE 23. A GARDENER.] [Illustration: PLATE 24. GIRL WITH A GUITAR.] [Illustration: PLATE 25. A ROOM IN THE PROVINCIAL MUSEUM. VIEW OF THE ROMAN AND VISIGOTH SECTION.] [Illustration: PLATE 26. A ROOM IN THE PROVINCIAL MUSEUM. VIEW OF THE ARAB SECTION.] [Illustration: PLATE 27. DOOR OF THE HOUSE OF THE INNOCENTS.] [Illustration: PLATE 28. THE DOOR OF DON JERÓNIMO PÁEZ.] [Illustration: PLATE 29. THE DOOR OF THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL.] [Illustration: PLATE 30. THE TOWER OF CARRAHOL.] [Illustration: PLATE 31. PORCH OF ST PAUL.] [Illustration: PLATE 32. ANCIENT ARAB WALLS.] [Illustration: PLATE 33. MOSAIC OF THE FOUR SEASONS, IN THE HOUSE OF S.S. LUQUE, PLAZA DE LA COMPANIA.] [Illustration: PLATE 34. ARCHITECTURAL PARTS OF THE CATHOLIC BASILICAS.] [Illustration: PLATE 35.