Great Mosque of Seville, artwork. This mosque in Seville, Spain, was built from 1172 during the period of Muslim rule (712 to 1248). The main building was of brick and plaster, with buttressed walls and arches. At upper right is the covered prayer hall with 17 naves. At lower right is the Court of the Oranges (with orange trees) with the main entrance, the Puerta del Perdon (Gate of Pardon). The tower at upper left is the mosque's minaret (built from 1184 to 1198), topped with copper spheres. The mosque was later converted into a Christian church and later cathedral (16th century), with the minaret extended higher and converted into a bell tower (the Giralda).