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Medina Azahara
A palatine city about 8 kilometres from Córdoba, commissioned by Caliph Abd al-Rahman III from the year 936 at the foot of the Sierra Morena. It was built on three terraces: the caliph's residence at the top, the government buildings and the officials' houses in the middle, and the mosque, markets and ordinary dwellings at the bottom. Its notable buildings include the Salón Rico, a reception hall, the Great Portico, the congregational mosque, the House of Ja'far and the House of the Pool. After power moved to Medina Alzahira under Almanzor, the city was razed during the fitna between 1010 and 1013. Excavations began in 1911 and only a small part of the 112 hectares has been uncovered. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018. The visit starts at the museum, opened in 2009, and a shuttle bus, every 15 or 20 minutes, goes up to the site.
Add it to your trip on Wanloria →Things to do at Medina Azahara: 3 missions
- Identify the city's three terracesFrom the upper part of the site, look out over the plain and pick out the terraces of the residence, the administration, and the mosque with the dwellings.
- Start at the Medina Azahara museumBefore taking the bus, tour the museum and choose one piece that tells you what life was like in the caliphal city.
- Find the Great PorticoWalk through the site to the Great Portico, the monumental entrance to the reception area, and see how it opens onto the complex.
Near Medina Azahara
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Medina Azahara?
From €1.50 per person. Check the day's price on the official website before you go.
What are the opening hours of Medina Azahara?
Martes a sábado de 9:00 a 18:00; domingos, festivos y lunes vísperas de festivo de 9:00 a 15:00. Cerrado los lunes salvo vísperas de festivo. El último autobús sube al yacimiento una hora antes del cierre. Salón Rico: visitas guiadas gratuitas con inscrip.
How much time do you need for Medina Azahara?
Allow about 3 h for the visit.
What is there to do at Medina Azahara?
Identify the city's three terraces, Start at the Medina Azahara museum and Find the Great Portico.
What is there to see near Medina Azahara?
Synagogue of Córdoba (7.4 km), Capilla de San Bartolomé (7.5 km) and Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos (7.5 km).
Source: Web oficial - Conjunto arqueológico de Madinat al-Zahra