Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, admire its impressive forest of columns

Por Timor Espallargas

Por Toni Castillo Quero

Por Erinc Salor

Por Américo Toledano

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba is a unique jewel blending Islamic and Christian architecture. Originally built as a grand mosque in 786 by Abd al-Rahman I and consecrated as a cathedral in 1238, its splendor arises from the balance between its iconic forest of columns and the luminous Patio de los Naranjos.

Origins and Early Naves

Foundation (786–787): Abd al-Rahman I erected the first prayer hall of 11 naves atop a Visigothic church
Forest of Columns: 486 jasper, granite, and marble pillars reused from Roman and Visigothic monuments
Double Arcades: 365 horseshoe arches in two tiers, with red-and-white voussoirs creating a petrified forest effect

Major Expansions

Abd al-Rahman II (833–848): doubled the prayer hall to 17 naves
al-Hakam II (961–976): added the maqsura and decorated the mihrab with Venetian mosaics
Almanzor (987–1002): extended westward to 23 000 m², seating 30 000 worshippers

Conversion to Cathedral

Reconquest (1236): Ferdinand III consecrates it as a Christian cathedral while preserving its Islamic core
Renaissance Basilica (1523–1600): Hernán Ruiz the Elder and the Younger inserted a plateresque cruciform nave amid the columns
Side Chapels: 34 Baroque and Gothic chapels line the perimeter, reflecting patronage by guilds and brotherhoods

Highlights

Forest of Columns: over 1 300 columns and 760 red-and-white horseshoe arches
Mihrab: golden-mosaic sanctuary with Arabic calligraphy, among the finest in the Western Islamic world
Patio de los Naranjos: former ablution courtyard with 98 orange trees, four fountains, and double-arched porticoes

Visitor Info

Hours:
- Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00
- Sun 8:30–11:30 & 15:00–19:00
Admission: €11 general; €8 reduced; free <10 yrs
How to get there:
- Bus C1/C2 (“Mezquita–Cathedral”)
- 5 min walk from the Judería
Recommended time: 1.5–2 h to see prayer hall, mihrab, Renaissance nave, and courtyard
Guided tours: multilingual, book on official site

World Heritage

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984 alongside Córdoba’s historic center, it stands as an exceptional testament to cultural coexistence and architectural evolution.

At sunset, watch how warm light filters through the arches, revealing the millennia-old dialogue between East and West in the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba.