Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba

Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba · Córdoba

Por Spain · 9 de octubre de 2026

It is a blend of overlapping architectural styles, which succeeded one another over the nine centuries during which construction and renovations took place.

The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, situated in the very heart of the city’s historic centre, is one of the finest examples of Islamic art in Spain.

It was the Muslim emir Abderrahman I who commissioned the building in 785 on the ruins of the ancient Visigothic church of San Vicente. In subsequent centuries, the mosque underwent a series of extensions.

Abderrahman III ordered a new minaret to be built, whilst in 961 Alhaken II enlarged the building’s floor plan and the mihrab was decorated. The final renovation was carried out by Almanzor in 987.

As a result, the interior resembles a labyrinth of columns of great beauty, featuring double rows of arches and horseshoe arches. In 1523, following the Christian conquest, the cathedral was built within the mosque; its highlights include the high altarpiece, the Baroque altarpiece and the mahogany choir stalls.

The mihrab is one of the most important in the Muslim world and is the finest feature of the Mosque-Cathedral. It is decorated with Byzantine mosaics and carved marble. The Courtyard of the Orange Trees provides access to the complex.

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