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A recent fire at the historic Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba in southern Spain is expected to cost around €1 million ($1.16M) in restoration work, according to regional authorities. The blaze broke out on Aug. 8, damaging two chapels from the 16th and 17th centuries located on the eastern side of the UNESCO-listed monument.
The Andalusian regional government has approved an emergency intervention plan for the affected area.
Officials stated that while the structure remains “safe and in excellent condition,” the damage is confined to an area of about 50 to 60 square meters within the 13,000-square-meter complex.
UNESCO’s Spain office visited the site and expressed readiness to provide technical assistance for restoration and for strengthening preventive measures. Similar to the fire prevention systems installed at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris—reopened in 2024 after a five-year restoration—authorities are considering using advanced solutions such as vaporized water suppression.
Construction of the Great Mosque of Cordoba began in 786 under Abd al-Rahman I, the first ruler of the Emirate of Cordoba. Expanded over centuries and featuring more than 100 marble columns, the mosque was converted into a cathedral in 1236 after the city was captured by the Crown of Castile. The minaret was largely demolished to build the church’s bell tower.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, the Mosque-Cathedral is one of Spain’s most visited landmarks, attracting over two million visitors annually. It remains open to the public outside the fire-affected zone, having reported record revenues of €22.4 million in 2024.
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