III. The Mosque of Cordoba. The design of the inner façade of the Bāb al-Wuzarā’. The Doorway of the Deans (8th century), its interior & exterior design

Abstract

The design of the inner façade of the Bāb al-Wuzarā’ is based on a square and its diagonal √2, with the use of a set-square of 90°, 45°, 45°, another of 90°, 60°, 30° and a compass. The ashlars alternate correctly in depth and width. The lintel space is carried by a horse-shoe arch with a merlon frieze. The intrados of the jambs reveals, by the differing ashlars, the consolidation of the Bāb al-Wuzarā’ undertaken in 855/856. The inner façade of the Puerta de los Deanes belongs to the eighth century, the outer façade was consolidated in the fourteenth. The steps are done with both set-squares and a compass. The left jamb on the N. side shows the larger ashlars of the eighth century and the smaller ones of the tenth century.