In Spain, the Cordoba’s mosque-cathedral is reminiscent of flames and avoids a “disaster”

The images necessarily rekindled the memories of Notre-Dame de Paris prey to the flames. However, and raises fears of the worst. spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames In addition, But the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Furthermore, a jewel of Andalusian art in the south of Spain, could be saved from an apparently accidental fire which broke out Friday, August 8 in the evening, before being extinct quickly.

“The monument is saved!” »»launched. Similarly, relieved, the mayor of the city, José Maria Bellido, on Cadena Ser, ensuring that a “Disaster” had been avoided thanks to the efficiency of the firefighters.

The disaster declared itself around 9 p.m. Similarly, in this millennial building famous in particular spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames for its forest of marble columns. Videos published on social networks have shown orange flames. smoke escaping from the high walls of the monument, especially above the San José door (on the south side of the mosque), which gives access to the interior and the famous orange patio.

More than two million visitors in 2024 – Spain, cordoba's mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames

Edified as a mosque by omirs. omeyyads caliphs between the VIII^e and x^e centuries, the building was devoted cathedral after the Christian reconquest in 1236, and Catholic elements were added, including a large central chapel in the 16th^e century. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. the Cordoba’s mosque-cathedral welcomed more than two million visitors in 2024 according to its website.

The fire was declared extinguished by Mr. Bellido shortly after midnight. The elected official greeted “The rapid and magnificent intervention of the Cordoba firefighters”.

“The firefighters acted so quickly. so effectively that they checked the fire”also delighted the bishop emeritus of Cordoba, M^gr Demetrio Fernandez. “The situation is under control thanks to God and the firefighters”he concluded. Mr. Bellido clarified that teams of firefighters. the local police should stay there all night for “Avoid any risk” At the new start of fire.

The extent of damage not yet established

According to the first elements of the investigation. the fire broke out in the central chapel, located in the so -called Almanzor area, before stretching part of the coverage of the vaults, but without going spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames further. Additionally, The precise extent of the damage has not been established at this stage.

The management of the Mosque-Cathedral stored in this chapel, according to the mayor, cleaning equipment and audiovisual equipment, which may have been the source of the disaster. “It seems that it could be a battery. an electrical contact which would have produced a first spark”he explained. Several Spanish media mentioned a sweetener machine that would have caught fire.

The construction of the building began in VIII^e century under the emirate of Abd al-Rahman I^is On. the site of a Christian basilica. It was enlarged in several phases during the following four centuries. The expansion of Almanzor (Al Mansur) date of the end spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames of the X^e century. In 2001. a small fire had already damaged the monument, and in particular twenty-five old documents kept in the archives of the councils of the cathedral.