Issue date: 17 Sep, 2010
The issue devoted to World Heritage Sites contains two stamps depicting the Mosque of Cordoba and the Wall of Lugo.
The mosque was declared World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1984. The souvenir sheet depicts a side door from the time of Al-Hakam II, whilst the circular stamp resembles a 2 Euro coin featuring columns, arches and capitals of the interior of the Mosque. The period of glory of this monument began in the eighth century when the splendour of Córdoba rivalled Constantinople, Damascus and Baghdad. This gem of Caliphate architecture was built on a Visigothic site where formerly there stood a Visigoth basilica. The Alhama Mosque, as it is known, began to be built during the reign of Abderrahman I and underwent numerous subsequent changes and expansions under later rulers. Thus, Hixem I, son of Abd al-Rahman I, was responsible for raising the first quadrangular minaret, building the galleries of the courtyard , the prayer space for women and the first ablution basin. In the course of time, due to an increase in the congregation, the Mosque was expanded. In 822 Abd al-Rahman II expanded the prayer hall, Mohamed I built the gate of St. Stephen, the Amir Al-Mundir built the treasure chamber and Abd-Allah built a secret passageway connecting the fortress with the mihrab, the caliph Abd ar-Rahman III reinforced the communicating arches of the chapel and the ablutions yard, whilst Al-Hakam II added new sections. The final extension was carried out by al-Mansur adding eight naves to the East. In the thirteenth century, under the rule of king Fernando III the Saint, the mosque became a Christian cathedral.
The Roman Walls of Lugo were declared World Heritage Site in 2000. They are over 2 km. long and surround the old part of the city. They were supposedly built in the second half of the third century. This defensive structure conserves 71 of its original 80 towers, most of them circular. It had five gates that match the current Porta Miñá, False, San Pedro, Nova and Santiago. As the city expanded between 1853 and 1921, another five gates were opened which are the current San Fernando, bishops Izquierdo, Aguirre and Odoario and the Estación.
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