Flames damage chapels at UNESCO-listed Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral VIDEO

A fire broke out on the evening of August 8 at the historic Great Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba in Spain, causing damage to the roofs and walls of two chapels within the building.

According to El Mundo, the blaze likely started due to a short circuit in an electric sweeping machine used for maintenance.

No solo ha ardido la Mezquita de Cordoba, también Itálica 😞. Día muy negro para los españoles y nuestro patrimonio.pic.twitter.com/lUExdZKDh3

— Arte, belleza y más 🎸🎨 (@CristinaGL2) August 8, 2025

The flames affected the walls and roofs of the chapels located in the naves of Almanzor, the Baptistery, and the Holy Spirit, where some of the maintenance equipment was stored. 

Three fire brigades from Cordoba responded promptly, managing to contain and extinguish the fire by 11 p.m. Local police secured the area to ensure public safety and to allow emergency teams to work efficiently.

Cordoba’s mayor, José María Bellido, who monitored the firefighting efforts, described the damage as minor and reassured the public that the incident was not catastrophic.

Así ha acabado la Mezquita de Córdoba tras el incendio ocasionada. Estás imágenes son muy duras.... 😥

Desde Sevilla, damos muchos ánimos y fuerzas a los cordobeses 🩷 pic.twitter.com/JyMXvqahHo

— • 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐈Ó𝐍 𝐃𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀 •🕯️ (@PasionDSevilla) August 9, 2025

Nevertheless, the fire sparked concern among residents and visitors alike, as the Mosque-Cathedral is not only an iconic symbol of the city but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, originally constructed in 786 under the Umayyad Caliphate and expanded over the centuries, stands as one of the world’s most significant Islamic architectural monuments. Following the Christian Reconquista, it was transformed into a cathedral and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

By Tamilla Hasanova