Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba Fire: Huge Blaze at Historic Site

WATCH: Fire Breaks Out At Spain’s Iconic Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

How Much Did Notre Dame Cost To Repair After Major Fire?

The fire at Córdoba will recall the memory of France’s Notre Dame Cathedral, which suffered a catastrophic fire that gutted the building in 2019.

Money poured in to ensure the iconic building was rebuilt, with some donating millions, including Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, and L’Oreal owners the Bettencourt Meyers Family.

The rebuild ended up costing a staggering $737 million, and was completed in just over five years with a grand reopening in December 2024.

What started the Córdoba Mosque fire? Suspected cause revealed

The fire at Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba may have begun from a short circuit in an electric sweeper, local media reports.

El Mundo reports that the blaze began shortly after 9 p.m. local time in one of the chapels in the Almanzor naves, which is typically used to store the maintenance staff’s belongings.

It then quickly spread to the roof.

Firefighters have got the blaze under control, reports local media

Firefighters from the city of Córdoba are still battling to extinguish the fire at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba but local reports say the blaze is mostly contained as of 10 p.m. local time.

The extent of damage is not yet clear.

Where is the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba?

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba (also known as the Mezquita–Catedral de Córdoba) is located in the historic city of Córdoba, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain.

This iconic monument stands at the heart of the city’s historic center, right near the Roman Bridge and Puerta del Puente.

As one of the most significant buildings in Islamic and Christian architectural history, it began as a grand mosque in the 8th century and was transformed into a cathedral in 1236.

Located within Córdoba’s UNESCO-listed historic center, it remains both a major religious site and a top cultural attraction.

WATCH: Fire crews battle the blaze at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain

What Is The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba? The Spanish Icon’s History

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, officially called the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, was built as a mosque over 200 years starting 785 CE. The mosque opened in 988 CE, and remained a Muslim site for nearly 300 years before the Christian conquest of Cordoba in 1236 CE.

The structure converted to a cathedral, undergoing additional modifications and building until one final, major addition in 1607 CE.

Since then, the structure has stood as a sterling example of Moorish architecture and has even been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Mosque-Cathedral has had its share of small controversy starting in the early 2000s when Muslims requested to return and pray on the site. A group of Spanish Muslims in 2006 petitioned Pope Benedict XVI for permission to worship, but ultimately proved unsuccessful.

A group of Muslim tourists tried to pray on the site in 2010, leading to a brief clash with security guards, leading to the arrest of two men after they injured two guards.