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, and raises fears of the worst. Moreover, But the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba. Meanwhile, jewel of Andalusian art, in southern Spain, could be saved from an apparently accidental fire which broke out on Friday, August 8 in the evening, before being extinct quickly.

“The monument is saved!” »»launched. For example, relieved, the mayor of the city, José Maria Bellido, on Cadena Ser, ensuring that spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames a “Disaster” had been avoided thanks to the efficiency of the firefighters. For example, The Mosque-Cathedral reopened to the public on Saturday, at 10 a.m., and will close its usual schedules at 7 p.m.. Nevertheless, Only the area where the fire broke out will remain inaccessible to the public, said a site spokesperson with AFP.

The disaster declared itself around 9 p.m. Meanwhile, in this millennial building famous in particular for its forest of marble columns. Nevertheless, 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.

Over 2 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 spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames 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 2 million visitors in 2024 according to its website.

The fire was declared turned off by José Maria 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”was also delighted the Bishop emeritus of Cordoba, Demetrio Fernandez. “The situation is under control thanks to God spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames 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.

“Very. very localized damage”

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 further. The fire only caused “Very, very localized damage”announced, on Saturday, the mayor of the city.

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 spain, cordoba’s mosque-cathedral reminiscent flames 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. Almanzor’s extension date of the end of the X^e century. In 2001. a small fire had already damaged the monument, and in particular 25 old documents kept in the archives room of the cathedral councils.