When Sarah asked me what I wanted to see in Spain, I was very flexible. I generally don’t want to obsess over checking off every cool thing on a trip. But I did have one hope: the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba. At first, I didn’t even remember what it was called, but I remembered the distinctive arches. I’ve seen photos and illustrations since childhood, and I recall learning about it in a class on Islam in college. Something about the red and white pattern was mesmerizing.

The reality did not disappoint. I was surprised to find myself a bit choked up as I first entered the vast space. It is a stunning example of how two faiths used architecture to represent the sublime.