This great monument, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980, has great relevance not only nationally, but internationally. And it is that those who visit it are amazed at the richness of this place.
There are many stories about the monuments, but there is also a series of data that many people today still do not know. For example, a very curious fact is that it is not oriented to Mecca, but to the south, because Abderramán I, who erected the primitive mosque, was from Damascus and wanted to direct it in that direction.
Another fact to note is that it currently ranks third in the world in terms of proportions. It was the largest mosque several centuries ago, but it is currently located in Mecca (Saudi Arabia).
The famous and so characteristic mosaics, are the work of a Byzantine master, something that many ignore since it has been thought on some occasion that they were from the city of Cordoba where these architectural elements were made.
Those who have visited this magnificent monument, know that besides being a mosque is a cathedral, well, this step to be known from the sixteenth century as Assumption of Our Lady.
When visitors access the Patio de los Naranjos, and on our route from the Historic Center, which you can do in the morning in the two shifts enabled in Spanish and English, you are surprised to explain that inside the tower is where you are the old minaret of the Muslim era. In this place was where the population was called to go to pray.
It is therefore a unique building in the world, hybrid temple between Muslim and Christian. Despite the fact that the Islamic cult disappeared completely with the arrival of Christians, it is true that there was an occasion when a Muslim could pray inside the mihrab, the entire building being a Catholic cathedral: it was the case of Muhammad Iqbal . This was a poet of Pakistani origin, who was given permission in a visit he made to the city in 1933 so that only he was the one who prayed inside the temple. Something quite relevant, since it has been the only case in all history since Córdoba is Christian.
Today you can visit from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Keep in mind that this month of December the mosque will have two days with special hours: December 14 (10: 00-14: 30) and December 15 (8: 30-10: 30 and 14: 30-18: 00) .
As for prices, tickets cost € 10 in general, children 10-14 years pay € 5, while children under 10 years are free. Also, there is a free timetable from 8:30 to 9:30 in the morning, except Sundays and religious holidays.
For the bravest, you can also climb the Bell Tower from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., being in groups every half hour. The price is € 2.
Do not forget that these tickets are bought at the ticket office located in the Patio de los Naranjos, and that the ticket only gives you the option to enter the day of your purchase, not another day.
If you have been interested in this reading and want to know more about our great monument, do not hesitate to contact us. You can join both the Historical Town Tour (Puerta de Almodóvar at 11:00 - in Spanish - and at 13:30 - in English) and the Legends of the Jewish Quarter (Puerta de Almodóvar at 17:30). Do not forget that all our free tours need a previous reservation, which can be done at https://cordobafreetour.es. Do not wait any longer and take a walk around Córdoba with the yellow umbrella!
