La Mezquita in Córdoba Reopens After Fire: What Muslim Travellers Need to Know

On Friday night, 8 Aug 2025, Córdoba’s world-famous La Mezquita — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most treasured Islamic architectural masterpieces in Europe — narrowly escaped what could have been a devastating disaster.

Around 9 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT), flames broke out in one of the chapels in the Almanzor naves. Videos shared online showed smoke and fire billowing from inside the monument, sparking alarm among locals and travellers alike. The images were enough to evoke memories of the tragic 2019 blaze that engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Swift action saves the day

Image credit: @cordobesanti | X

Thankfully, Córdoba’s firefighters were quick to respond. Three fire teams rushed to the site, bringing the fire under control in a short time. Even after extinguishing the flames, crews stayed overnight to cool the walls and roof and ensure there was no chance of reignition.

Mayor José María Bellido praised their “rapid and magnificent intervention” on X (formerly Twitter), saying they had “averted a catastrophe.”

Extent of the damage

Image credit: @cordobesanti | X

The fire was contained to a small area of about 25–50 square metres in the Capilla de la Anunciación (also known as Expectación) and nearby chapels. This section suffered a roof collapse and minor wall damage, but given that the building’s total interior area is around 13,000 square metres, the overall structure remains intact.

Possible cause

Image credit: @visionesdeunbombero | Instagram

Local media, including El Mundo, reported that the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit in an electric sweeping machine. Investigations are ongoing.

Reopened the next morning

Image credit (L-R): Bruno Milani | Canva Pro; Aimi Zulkiflee

By Saturday morning, 9 Aug 2025, the Mosque-Cathedral had already reopened to visitors during its regular hours. Only the fire-affected section is cordoned off for safety and restoration, while the rest of the monument is fully accessible.

This quick reopening underscores just how resilient this historic landmark remains — and how important it is to both local residents and travellers from around the world.

Why this matters to Muslim travellers

For Muslim travellers, La Mezquita is more than just a sightseeing stop — it’s a living testament to the height of Islamic civilisation in Al-Andalus. Built between the 8th and 10th centuries by the Umayyad emir Abd al-Rahman, the original mosque was an architectural marvel, featuring a vast prayer hall with its signature red-and-white horseshoe arches and an intricately decorated mihrab pointing towards Makkah.

Even today, you can walk among 1,200 columns (850 of them original) and feel the weight of history in every stone. While the building was transformed into a cathedral in the 13th century following the Christian Reconquista under King Ferdinand III of Castile, its Islamic elements remain remarkably preserved.

This blend of Moorish and Christian design makes La Mezquita a rare example of cultural layering — something you can’t experience anywhere else in the world.

Tips for visiting as a Muslim traveller

Prayer: While formal Muslim prayers are no longer permitted inside, the spiritual atmosphere is deeply moving. Take time to appreciate the original qibla wall and the mosque’s mihrab.

Nearby Halal Food: The surrounding old town is home to several halal-friendly restaurants serving Andalusian and Moroccan-inspired cuisine.

Cultural Context: Pair your visit with the Calahorra Tower Museum, which explores the shared history of Muslims, Christians, and Jews in medieval Córdoba.

A symbol that stands strong

Image credit: Zekai Zhu | Canva Pro

In 2024, over 2 million people visited the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, making it one of Spain’s top tourist attractions. Friday’s fire could have been a heartbreaking loss for both the Muslim world and global heritage — but thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters, La Mezquita stands strong, ready to inspire the next wave of travellers.

So, if you’re planning a trip to southern Spain, don’t miss the chance to step inside this breathtaking monument. It’s more than a building — it’s a bridge between cultures, a survivor of centuries, and now, a survivor of fire.