Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

About Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

Abd al-Rahman I began the Great Mosque of Córdoba in 785, and his successors enlarged it in the 9th and 10th centuries until it covered about 23,400 m². After the Christian conquest of 1236 it became the city's cathedral, and from 1523 a Renaissance main chapel and choir were built at its centre. It has been UNESCO-listed since 1984.

You enter through the Patio de los Naranjos, the orange-tree courtyard, into the hypostyle hall with its rows of columns and two-tier horseshoe arches striped in brick and stone. Highlights are al-Hakam II's mihrab and the domed maqsura in front of it, both decorated with gold mosaics, the carved choir stalls and the bell tower that encases the old minaret.

Adult tickets cost €15 (reductions from €6, under-10s free), sold online for a set date or at the Patio de San Eulogio centre. Entry is free Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 09:30, when groups are not admitted. The bell tower is climbed in half-hourly timed slots at €4, best booked ahead. The hall is level, with wheelchairs and adapted toilets available; allow 1.5–2 hours.

Spring and autumn are most comfortable; in summer go early. Queue by 08:15 for the free hour. As a working cathedral it expects modest dress, and Sunday hours are split around Mass. The night visit, El Alma de Córdoba, runs at 21:00 and 22:30 and costs €25.

Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba in pictures

What you’ll find

• Audio guideAudio guideBuy
• Free entryFree visit (08:30–09:30)Free
• Guided tourGuided tourBook
• Monument visitSelf-guided visit (€6–€15, 10:00–19:00)Ticket
• Night visitNight tour (€18–€25, from 21:00)Book
• Religious servicesMassFree
• Step-free accessAccessible visitFree
• Tower climbTower climb (€4, 09:30–19:00)Ticket
• Visitor centreVisitor informationFree

Nearby places to visit

Most of Córdoba's sights are a short walk from the Mosque-Cathedral. In the lanes of the Judería to the west, the Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba (200 m) shows the cape and sword Manolete used against Islero, the Córdoba Synagogue (250 m) is a small Mudéjar prayer hall covered in carved plasterwork, and the Al-Iksir Alchemy Museum (300 m) is devoted to medieval alchemy. The Roman Bridge of Córdoba (300 m) crosses the Guadalquivir just below, and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (300 m) has towers, Roman mosaics and large gardens beside the river. The Córdoba Archaeological Museum (300 m) keeps part of the Roman theatre's seating inside.