Spanish Mosque-Cathedral Restores Glory After Fiery Blaze

Historic Cordoba Mosque‑Cathedral Faces Localised Fire Damage

The fire that erupted on Friday at approximately 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) raised alarm for the early medieval architectural treasure that attracts two million visitors annually. The blaze, reminiscent of the 2019 Notre Dame conflagration, was widely circulated in videos showing flames and smoke billowing from within the landmark.

Mayor Confirms “Very Localised” Impact

• The mayor of Cordoba, José Maria Bellido, assured reporters that the damage, while significant, remains very localised.
• He emphasized that the site reopened to the public in the morning as usual, allowing tourists to re‑enter while the damaged area stayed cordoned off with waist‑high barriers.

Damage Concentrated in Almanzor Nave

Most of the destruction occurred in the Almanzor nave, where the fire started. The roof in this chapel completely collapsed due to the flames and the weight of the water used to extinguish them. The mayor estimated the fire damaged approximately 50 to 60 square metres of the building, which has an interior area of around 3,000 square metres.

Firefighters Monitor After Extinguishment

Thirty‑five firefighters worked overnight to monitor and cool the walls after the blaze was put out. The head of Cordoba’s firefighting service, Daniel Múnez, noted that forensics police were at the scene on Saturday to investigate the cause.

Possible Mechanical Sweep Machine Ignition

ABC and other newspapers reported that a mechanical sweeping machine may have sparked the fire, further complicating the incident’s origin.

Historical Context and UNESCO Status

• Constructed as a mosque between the 8th and 10th centuries by the Muslim ruler Abd ar‑Rahman, an emir of the Umayyad dynasty, the site originally stood on the foundation of an earlier church.
• Following Christians’ reconquest in the 13th century under King Ferdinand III of Castile, the mosque was converted into a cathedral, undergoing architectural alterations over subsequent centuries.
• Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, the building embodies significant architectural and cultural heritage.

Third Recorded Fire in Nearly 1,000‑Year History

The incident marks the third recorded fire in the building’s nearly 1,000‑year history, following incidents in 1910 and 2001, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilant preservation.