Mosque – Bel Tower – History – Curiosities – Schedules – Free – Audio Guides
The bell tower of the Mosque of Cordoba is one of the city’s historical attractions. Originally a minaret that called Muslims to prayer, it now serves as the bell tower of Cordoba Cathedral. Please join us to learn more about this monument.
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The history of the tower
The history of the bell tower began when Abdelrahman III decided to expand the mosque and had to demolish the original minaret to build a new one. This minaret remained, although the mosque was extended several more times.
After the conversion to Christianity, the minaret was covered over, creating the current tower, which is taller and has a bell tower on top. If you climb the tower, you can still see the dome and other parts of this old minaret.
The different parts of the bell tower
The different parts that make up the tower are: the base, the steeple, which can still be seen inside, the bell tower, which sits on the first platform, and the second, higher platform, which has more bells and the dome, which contains the image of the Archangel Raphael.
How to access it
To climb the tower, you should know that the stairs are about 40 metres high, which is the height of a 12-storey building. Children under 7 are not allowed up there.
You can get a ticket at the foot of the tower next to one of the main entrances to the mosque. The price is only 2 euros and the tour is done in groups. You have to wait until the last person has come down before another group can enter.
The view from the bell tower
The view from the tower is breathtaking. You can see the entire old city, the river, other important monuments and the mosque itself. From the top you can see the impressive work of the cathedral. A visit is highly recommended, especially if you do not suffer from vertigo.