Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

A true emblem of the city and of the greater Andalusia region, this mosque has a long and fascinating history. Construction began in the 8th century, commissioned by the emir who ruled Córdoba at the time, on the site of an old Visigothic church, which itself had been built over a former Roman temple. Expanded and altered over the centuries, the mosque began to resemble its current appearance in the 10th century, when it became one of the largest mosques in the world. When King Ferdinand III of Castile conquered Córdoba and the city came under Christian rule, the mosque was converted into a Christian church. The king chose to build a cathedral inside the mosque rather than destroy the building altogether, which is why it’s now known as the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Behind you stands the mosque’s former minaret, rising from the Orange Tree Courtyard where you’re standing. After the mosque became a cathedral, this tower was adapted into a bell tower, now known as the Alminar Tower. Standing 93 metres tall, it dates back to the 16th century, but traces of the original minaret are still visible in its lower levels and structure. Facing the tower, the mosque itself is a masterpiece of Islamic art. Inside, you’ll find the major chapel at the centre of the old prayer hall, surrounded by many smaller chapels, making this a true cathedral. Its hundreds of arches, made of alternating red brick and white stone, continue to amaze visitors year after year. These arches rest on granite and marble pillars repurposed from Roman and Visigothic ruins. Inside the mosque you will find the mihrab, which indicates the direction of Mecca for prayer. The mihrab here is shell-shaped and faces Damascus rather than Mecca. That’s because Damascus was the birthplace of the Umayyad dynasty, the Muslim rulers of Córdoba at the time. It was once considered one of the most important mihrabs in the Muslim world. A remarkable symbol of Islamic rule in Spain, the Mosque-Cathedral showcases architecture typical of the Umayyad emirs, combined with later Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, and detailed Byzantine-style decoration. With its fortress-like exterior, it remains one of the city’s most iconic monuments, and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994!