Do you want to visit the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba, one of the most surprising monuments in the world? Here’s the main thing to know about this beautiful Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba!
Located in the city of Cordoba, in Andalusia , the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba is one of the main tourist attractions of the Spanish city. It is the most accomplished building of the art of Cordoba Omeyyades , then appointed the Great Mosque of Cordoba, or Mezquita de Córdoba, before being converted to Cathedral in the 12th century after the Reconquista by the king Ferdinand III of Castile . It was ranked as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and is a superb testimony of the past history of Andalusia and Spain, Muslim for a time before being reconquised by the Catholic forces.
To help you visit the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba, we have prepared a mini-guide of visit!
History of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
Photo credit: Flickr – piet theisohn
Originally, the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba was a Roman temple dedicated to Janus . In 572, the city is conquered by the Wisigoths , who build the Church of Saint Vincent Martyr on the site of the temple. With the arrival of the Muslim conquerors in Andalusia, part of the church is bought and destroyed to build a mosque. Abd-Al-Rahman I , founder of the Omeyyad Dynasty, will later destroy the rest of the church to build the Mosque of Cordoba. In exchange, he allowed for a time the construction of new churches in the region.
The original building was very simple, but over the years and the successors of Abd-Al-Rahman I, it expanded to get its current size. The Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba is, according to some, the culmination of Omeyyade art, mixing styles and cultures.
When Cordoba was taken over to Muslims by the Castillans in 1236, the Mosque of Cordoba was converted to a church and then to a cathedral. If a few rows of columns were cut down to make room for chapels or to clear the Place de la Chapelle Royale decorated with mudéjar stucs, it was in the 16th century that the main alteration of the building took place. The Canons demolished a large part of the centre of the ancient mosque to build a cathedral, Gothic, Renaissance and baroque. It then appears as encrusted in the old building, breaking the outlook of the forest of initial columns. Charles Quint , himself, will then declare: “You have destroyed what you see nowhere else to build what you see everywhere. »
What to see and do at the Cordoba Cathedral Mosque?
Photo credit: Flickr – S Kaya
One visit of the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba you will discover the main places of the most surprising monument in Spain. Because the Mezquita de Cordoue is a spectacular building combining maureque and western architecture in a collection of sumptuous and enchanting pieces.
At first, your visit will allow you to discover the great mosque of origin. It consists of two different areas: the patio and the prayer room. It is in this interior space that the famous columns and bicolor arches are located: red and white arcs that offer a magnificent chromatic effect. They have made the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba famous all over the world! This uniformity created by the arches of the mosque gives the impression that the building is endless. It is all the art of the Omeyyades that are found in this fantastic interior space.
The patio is known as the courtyard of the Orangers. With its fruit trees and fountains, it offers shades to relax and a pleasant freshness in the summer.
The visit will also allow you to discover the Cathedral of Cordoba. This building is the synthesis of two centuries of architectural evolution: indeed, the cathedral in the form of a Latin cross houses both Gothic vaults and baroque vaults, as well as a Renaissance style dome.
Your guided tour will also lead you to the discovery of the Tower of the Mosque of Cordoba: the minaret built by Abd Al Rahman III is preserved inside the current bell tower. It was partially destroyed by a storm, which explains its reconstruction in the baroque tower.
To finish your visit to the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, a collection of objects and reliefs found during excavations, as well as treasures accumulated by the cathedral, await you to close your discovery of one of the most remarkable Spanish monuments!
How to visit the Cordoba Mountain Mosque?
Photo credit: Flickr -Trevor Huxham
The Cordoba Cathedral Mosque is located in the heart of the historic centre of Cordoba. The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos is a short walk from the Mezquita. You can thus visit the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba during your walks in the Old Town. You will not be able to miss it: the Mezquita de Cordoue is beautifully detached above the roofs of the city, a law that has forbidden to build higher than this one in order not to hinder the view of the emblematic monument of the city.
There are several ways to get to the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba:
- By car
If you have come to Cordoba by car, or you have rented a car Upon arrival, the monument is at the following address: C/ Cardenal Herrero n. o 1. 14003. Cordoba.
- By bus
The bus stop nearest to the site is the stop “Puerta del Puente”, served by urban lines 3 and 12.
- By taxi
Taxi stop “Meassembly Monumental Mosque – Cathedral of Cordoba”, C/ Torrijos n. o 6.
The Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba is a religious place, so it is important to respect some rules. See you on this link For more information! The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility and dissemination equipment for blind is also available on site.
Schedules & Rates of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba
Photo credit: Flickr -Trevor Huxham
To visit the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba, several options are available to you. Simple entries can be purchased on site. To enjoy a guided tour of the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba , you have the choice between buying them on the patio of the mosque, or online in advance. Several formulas exist, some of which include visiting other important monuments of the city of Cordoba, such as a visit of Mosque-Cathedrale, the alcazar of Christian kings and the Jewish quarter ! We invite you to consult the official website of the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba to learn more about these guided tours.
RATES
To access the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba, the rates are as follows:
- Adults : 10 €
- Children from 10 to 14 years old and persons with disabilities : 5 €
- Children under 10 years of age: free
You will need to add 2 extra€ to visit the Clocher (the former Mosque minaret).
Good to know: from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., it is possible to visit the monument for free, except during certain religious celebrations.
HORARI
Opening hours vary depending on the season. The Cordoba Mountain Mosque is generally open from 10am to 6pm. However, we invite you to consult the time and availability tool on the site of the Mezquita de Cordoue before any visit. Because according to religious events, visiting the Mosque-cathedrale of Cordoba can be impossible. This is the case for Easter festivities, for example, or for certain Masses.
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