Medina Azahara
The palace-city the caliph had built at the foot of Sierra Morena.
Key points
- Medina Azahara (Madinat al-Zahra) was the palace-city of the caliphs of Córdoba, built in the mid-10th century at the foot of the Sierra Morena.
- UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site in 2018; the site covers 111 hectares.
- A civil war destroyed it between 1009 and 1010 and it lay forgotten for almost a thousand years.
- Entry is free for accredited EU citizens. It closes on Mondays, except on the eve of public holidays.
A city built from scratch
The first Umayyad caliph of Córdoba, Abd al-Rahman III, had this city built as the seat of power of the caliphate proclaimed in 929. It was laid out in terraces on the hillside: at the top the alcázar and reception halls; in the middle the gardens and courtiers' houses; below the mosque and the town. It was at once a palace, an administrative centre and a showcase of Umayyad wealth for foreign ambassadors. After the civil war of 1009–1010 it was looted and abandoned, and its ruins were not rediscovered until the 20th century.
What to see
- Salón RicoAbd al-Rahman III's great reception hall, with arches and carved stone panels with plant motifs.
- Upper GardenA garden with a pond on the axis of the palace-city.
- MosqueThe mosque of the palace-city, with a simple plan, for the court and the inhabitants.
- Residential quarter and the ministers' houseAdministrative and residential buildings of the caliphal city.
- MuseumA modern museum beside the entrance, with pieces found in the excavations and explanations of the site.
How to plan the visit
Medina Azahara is on the road to Palma del Río, about 10 kilometres from the centre of Córdoba. From the reception and museum a shuttle takes you up to the archaeological site. Allow two to three hours including the museum. Opening hours change with the season: in summer it also opens at night with guided night visits. Check current times on the official page of the site.
Closures and heat
The site closes on 1 and 6 January, 1 May and 24, 25 and 31 December. In summer there is almost no shade: bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes, or choose the first hours.
How to combine it
It works well in the morning, with the Jewish Quarter and the Mosque-Cathedral in the afternoon. If you drive, the castle of Almodóvar del Río is barely half an hour away.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Medina Azahara?
It lies on the Palma del Río road, about 10 km from the centre. There are buses and tours from the city; check current timetables on the tourism website.
Is it free?
Admission is free for accredited citizens of the European Union; other visitors pay a small fee. It is closed on Mondays.