Fire at Spain’s historic Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral extinguished – Landmark saved
A fire broke out at the Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, one of Andalusia’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site, but was swiftly brought under control before causing major damage.
Cathedral Chapter spokesperson Juan Jose Jimenez said the blaze began at 9:15 p.m. local time in the “Almanzor” section on the building’s eastern side, an area dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries and containing chapels, cleaning equipment, and stored chairs.
Three firefighting crews initially responded, later increased to five. In total, five fire trucks and a crane took part in the operation. The cause is still under investigation, but early reports suggest a possible electrical short circuit linked to the charging of cleaning machines.
Cordoba Mayor Jose Maria Bellido visited the site and told reporters:
“We cannot speak of a catastrophe. There will be damage, which is terrible for a World Heritage site, but the structure remains sound.”
This was the third fire in the building’s history — the first in 1910 due to faulty electrical wiring, and the second in 2001, caused by extreme heat in the archives section.
A Monument of History
Construction of the Great Mosque of Cordoba began in 786 under the rule of Emir Abd al-Rahman I. Expanded over centuries and adorned with more than 100 marble columns, it was converted into a cathedral in 1236 when the city fell to the Kingdom of Castile. Much of its minaret was demolished to make way for the church’s bell tower.
Today, the Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral serves as both a monument and a tourist attraction, standing as one of Spain’s most important cultural symbols.
