Image: Forest of Columns

Interior of the Mezquita, with its forest of over 856 (originally 1,293) columns topped with piers and two tiers of red-and-white striped arches. The ancient columns - made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite - were taken from the Roman temple which had previously occupied the site and shipped in from other ancient buildings. The arches date from the late 8th century, with expansions in the 10th century. Mezquita, Córdoba, Spain.