The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, known as the ‘Great Mosque’, is one of the city's most emblematic monuments and one of the most visited in Spain. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984 by UNESCO and is characterised by its history which combines different architectural stages, including its conversion into a Cathedral.
The tour begins in the Patio de los Naranjos, the oldest in the city, which has its origins in a late Roman building and was reused in the Muslim period. After the Christian conquest, the courtyard became a garden and a place of refuge. Today, it is a place where tourists can enjoy the view of the orange trees and their characteristic orange blossom scent.
Inside, the mosque surprises visitors with its imposing forest of columns and two-coloured arches, reminiscent of Andalusian architecture. The Mihrab, one of the most outstanding features, together with the sequence of double-height arches and the use of reused materials, are unique elements in this monument. Furthermore, the mosque does not face Mecca, which is unusual for Muslim temples.
Throughout the visit, you will explore the extensions to the mosque made by the caliphs Abd al-Rahman II, Al-Hakam II and Almanzor. You will also see the interaction of later Christian elements, such as the cathedral transept, which was added after the building was consecrated as a cathedral. The influence of Cordovan architects and other historical figures is evident in the mixture of architectural and decorative styles that enrich the building.
Among the treasures housed in the Mezquita are a 16th-century processional monstrance and a cross used by Bishop Fitero in the 13th century, symbols of the conversion of the site into a cathedral. In addition, there are multiple chapels that were added to the original perimeter of the prayer hall.
This tour of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba is an essential experience to understand the rich history of the city, from its Visigoth origins to its transformation into one of the most outstanding monuments in the history of architecture.