Medina Azahara

Weather :

Tags : Historical Site

Timings : Tuesday to Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday and Public Holidays: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Closed on Mondays.

Entry Fee : General Admissions: 1.5 EUR

Other Important Objective Information : Visitors are encouraged to begin their tour at the museum, which offers a comprehensive overview of the site's history and houses numerous artifacts.  From the museum, shuttle buses are available to transport guests to the main archaeological area. The site offers limited shade, making it difficult in warmer times. 

Also Refered As:

Madinat al-Zahra

Medina Azahara, Cordoba Overview

Located in west of Córdoba, Medina Azahara is a significant archaeological site nestled at the base of the Sierra Morena mountains. It is popular for its well-preserved ruins and the glimpse it offers into the splendor of 10th-century Islamic architecture. The on-site museum is a great place to check out its informative displays and the 3D recreations that help visualize the original grandeur of the city. In 2018, Medina Azahara was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This expansive palace-city was constructed in the mid-10th century by Caliph Abd al-Rahman III as the administrative and political center of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Visitors are drawn to its historical importance, architectural grandeur, and the insight it provides into the opulence of Islamic Spain during the medieval period.  Established between 936 and 940 AD, Medina Azahara was envisioned as a symbol of the newly proclaimed Caliphate's power and prestige. The city featured ceremonial reception halls, a mosque, administrative offices, residential areas, gardens, workshops, and baths. Constructed on a series of terraces, the city's layout utilized the natural slope of the terrain, with each terrace separated by walls, dividing it into three distinct sections. The upper terrace housed the royal residences and administrative buildings, the middle terrace contained gardens and aristocratic dwellings, and the lower terrace was designated for service quarters and housing for the general populace. Despite its grandeur, the city was short-lived; it was sacked and abandoned during civil unrest between 1010 and 1013 AD, leading to centuries of neglect before its rediscovery in the early 20th century.

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