It has attracted over 2 million visitors annually (Image: Getty)
When I lived in Córdoba, I had no idea it was home to one of most highly rated landmarks, but the Mezquita-Catedral is just one of many reasons to visit.
is bursting with culture, packed with summer festivals, known for delicious tapas, and you can’t move for historial monuments, one being the iconic Mosque Cathedral.
A huge 86.3% of visitors gave it five stars on TripAdvisor, making it the top-rated architectural monument in both Spain and Europe, according to a study by Iglu Cruises which analysed thousands of TripAdvisor reviews.
Once you step inside, it’s easy to see why.
Rows of stunning red and white arches encircle a curious chapel right in the heart of the building, which you wouldn’t even know is there as you first enter, owing to the grand size of the place.
Rows of stunning red and white arches encircle a curious chapel (Image: Getty)
The Mezquita Cathedral is fronted by beautiful outside (Image: Getty)
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As its name suggests, it is a unique fusion of Islamic and Christian architecture which earned it World Heritage site status in 1984, deemed the most important Islamic architectural work in the Western world.
Originally a Basilica of San Vicente, it was transformed into a mosque in 786 by Emir Abd al-Rahman I, and successive Islamic rulers expanded the building, adding iconic features like the minaret and the stunning mihrab prayer niche.
After the Christian conquest of Cordoba in 1236, it was declared a cathedral, blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements with its Islamic roots.
But this isn’t all the city has to offer. quieter sibling is so full of ancient sites that UNESCO deemed the city’s entire historial centre as a world heritage site.
A must visit is the Alcazar, a maze of a palace with unforgettable gardens lined with fountains, once home to Christian monarchs.
Wandering around the patios in the old quarter is a beautiful sight to behold in spring, as locals dress the front of their houses in blooming flowers.
During Spring, the patios are typically adorned in flowers (Image: Getty)
It’s also home to the Alcazar, a previous palace of Christian monarchs (Image: Getty)
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Salmorejo has to be on the menu during your visit, which could be likened to a lesser known gazpacho with pared back ingredients of tomatoes, bread, olive oil, garlic and salt.
If you travel in May, you might see locals in beautiful flamenco dresses heading to La Feria, a local where rows of pop-up bars blast out music for any taste, from traditional sevillianas to reggaeton.
Susana Jiminez who has always lived in Cordoba said: “It’s such a small city where you can walk from one side to the other easily. It’s a city but it feels like a village.
“There are so many beautiful buildings. There’s a mix of cultures that you can really appreciate in the architecture.”
The study, by travel agency Iglu Cruises, analysed thousands of tourist reviews across Spain’s architectural landmarks. The average visit to the Mosque Cathedral takes around two hours, and tickets cost €13 per person, but children under 10 are free.