Latest news with #IslamicArchitecture
Times
3 days ago
- General
- Times
Fire damages historic chapels at Córdoba's Mosque-Cathedral
A fire has damaged two chapels at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, one of Europe's most celebrated monuments of Islamic architecture, prompting criticism of a lack of safety measures. The blaze broke out shortly after 9pm on Friday in a chapel in the eastern nave of the 10th-century Almánzor section. Initial investigations suggest the cause was a short-circuit in an electric floor-sweeping machine stored in that part of the monument. Flames spread to the adjoining 13th-century Chapel of the Annunciation, where the 19th-century altarpiece suffered the most significant damage. The roof of the chapel collapsed and the vaults of surrounding 'Moorish' arches were blackened by smoke. One column in the chapel has been shored up. The dean Joaquín Alberto Nieva described the damage as 'very small' and said that the oldest parts of the building, including the 8th-century mihrab, were unaffected. The Mosque-Cathedral was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1984. Critics from the Plataforma Mezquita-Catedral civic group said the use of a heritage chapel as a storeroom reflected a 'dangerous lack of risk prevention' and questioned the decision to reopen so soon. The group's spokesman Miguel Santiago said that if negligence were confirmed, the fire could amount to a criminal offence against heritage. Isidoro Moreno, an academic from Seville University specialising in the regional culture of Andalusia, called the blaze 'an unacceptable negligence of the bishopric and the cathedral chapter' and condemned the storage of potentially hazardous materials inside the monument. The church council, which manages the site, said the use of the chapel for storage was long-standing and part of its self-protection plan, but confirmed it had acquired two nearby buildings in which it would relocate equipment. The dean said lessons would be learned from the incident. A new fire-safety system, similar to that installed in the Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris after its 2019 blaze, has been scheduled for installation in October. The local council has notified Unesco and the International Council on Monuments and Sites, which advises the UN body, will visit this week to assess the damage and advise on restoration. Audrey Azoulay, Unesco director-general, praised the rapid response of firefighters and confirmed the organisation was 'fully mobilised alongside Spain to guarantee the preservation and rehabilitation of this exceptional monument'. The mosque, begun by the Umayyad dynasty in the late 8th century and expanded over the following two centuries, became a Christian cathedral after the conquest of Córdoba in 1236. In the 16th century a nave and transept were inserted into the mosque's centre. Emperor Charles V reportedly told the bishop: 'You have built here what you or anyone else might have built anywhere; to do so you have destroyed what was unique in the world.'
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
The 18 best things to do in Granada
For most visitors, exploring Granada understandably revolves around the wonders of the Unesco-listed Alhambra, Spain's finest example of Islamic architecture. But this is a city that thoroughly rewards visitors with time to dig a little deeper. Grand religious monuments, viewpoints above rust-coloured rooftops and ambitious galleries, both classic and contemporary, are scattered around Granada's entrancing historical barrios (neighbourhoods), each of which has its own distinctive atmosphere. It's a compact city, so hopping between different districts, wandering through sloping bougainvillea-lined alleys and stopping for some of the country's most delectable tapas along the way are all part of the experience. And if you're visiting with children, many of Granada's top-tier attractions are perfect for discovering en familia, too. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Granada. Find out more below, or for more inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, restaurants and bars, nightlife and cafés. Find things to do by type: Best for history and architecture Alhambra Dive into Andalusía's Islamic-era jewel Sprawling across the Sabika hill between the Genil and Darro rivers, the Alhambra reached its peak splendour in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Palacios Nazaríes (for which you'll need a prebooked timed ticket) are the architectural highlight, home to the much-photographed Patios de los Leones (Lion Courtyard) with its water-spouting white-marble lions and a feast of intricate stucco, colourful tilework and carved-wood doors and ceilings. Climb the 13th-century Alcazaba for rolling views, and allow time for soaking up the serene gardens of the whitewashed Generalife summer palace. Insider tip: A visit to the Alhambra at night is a fabulous way to see the Palacios Nazarís or the Generalife from a fresh perspective, with fewer crowds. Even if you've visited previously, strolling through the halls, gardens and patios magically illuminated after dark is a treat.
The National
4 days ago
- The National
UAE attractions lead TripAdvisor's list of best places to visit in the Middle East
The UAE has topped TripAdvisor's 2025 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best awards, with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi ranked as the No 1 attraction in the Middle East and eighth in the world. Known for its striking white marble domes, intricate floral mosaics and reflective pools, the mosque welcomes millions of visitors each year. Guided tours offer insight into Islamic architecture and traditions, making it both a cultural and architectural highlight of the capital. Dubai also dominated the list with a range of attractions. Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, remains a major draw with its observation decks offering panoramic views of the emirate and beyond. Nearby, Dubai Mall combines retail with entertainment, housing an Olympic-sized ice rink, a large aquarium and an underwater zoo. The adjacent Dubai Fountain – although currently closed for renovation – is known for putting on daily choreographed water shows set to music, drawing large crowds in the evenings. Aquaventure Waterpark, located at Atlantis, The Palm, earned recognition for its record-breaking water slides, lazy river and interactive dolphin experiences. Aura Skypool, billed as the world's highest 360° infinity pool, gives visitors an elevated view of Dubai's skyline. Other Dubai favourites on the list include the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, one of the most photographed hotels in the world; Miracle Garden, with its themed floral displays and sculptures; and Global Village, a seasonal destination featuring pavilions from countries around the world. In Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World's high-speed rides, including the Formula Rossa roller coaster, secured it a place among the region's best. The Travellers' Choice Best of the Best awards are based on the quality and quantity of reviews over a 12-month period, highlighting attractions that consistently deliver positive visitor experiences. In January, Dubai was the only Middle Eastern city to make TripAdvisor's Best of the Best Destinations list for 2025, placing third globally behind London and Bali. TripAdvisor described Dubai as a place that 'mixes modern culture with history', from shopping and entertainment to exploring souqs along Dubai Creek. The emirate also ranked seventh in both the Best Destinations for Solo Travellers and the Top Destinations of the Last 25 Years categories.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Historic Spanish mosque-cathedral reopens after blaze
A fire at a historic mosque-turned-cathedral in Cordoba in southern Spain caused only "very localised damage," the city's mayor said Saturday as the site reopened to the public. The spectacular blaze broke out on Friday at about 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), raising fears for the early medieval architectural gem and evoking memories of the 2019 fire that ravaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Widely shared videos had shown flames and smoke billowing from inside the major tourist attraction, which is considered a jewel of Islamic architecture and is visited by two million people per year. "There is some damage, significant damage, but it is very, very localised," the mayor of Cordoba, Jose Maria Bellido, told reporters outside the site which opened to the public as usual in the morning. Most of the damage is concentrated in a chapel where the fire broke out, whose roof "completely collapsed" due to the flames and the weight of the water used to put them out, he added in an interview with Spanish public television. The mayor estimated that the fire damaged approximately 50 to 60 square metres of the building, which has a total interior area of around 3,000 square metres. "Fortunately yesterday a catastrophe was avoided that could have meant losing the entire mosque-cathedral," he said. The fire-damaged section, known as the Almanzor nave, was cordoned off with waist-high barriers. Several fire engines and police lined a street near the building on Saturday morning as tourists lined up to get inside, images broadcast on Spanish media showed. The fire-damaged section, known as the Almanzor nave, remained cordoned off. A total of 35 firefighters worked throughout the night to monitor the area and cool the walls after the blaze was extinguished, the head of Cordoba's firefighting service, Daniel Munoz, said. Forensics police were at the scene on Saturday to try to determine the cause of the fire, he added. ABC and other newspapers reported that a mechanical sweeping machine had caught fire in the site. The site was built as a mosque -- on the site of an earlier church -- between the 8th and 10th centuries by the southern city's then Muslim ruler, Abd ar-Rahman, an emir of the Umayyad dynasty. After Christians reconquered Spain in the 13th century under King Ferdinand III of Castile, it was converted into a cathedral and architectural alterations were made over following centuries. The building was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 due to its architectural and cultural significance. This is the third recorded fire in the nearly 1,000-year history of the building, following incidents in 1910 and 2001.
France 24
5 days ago
- General
- France 24
Historic Spanish mosque-cathedral reopens after blaze
The spectacular blaze broke out on Friday at about 9:00 pm (1900 GMT), raising fears for the early medieval architectural gem and evoking memories of the 2019 fire that ravaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Widely shared videos had shown flames and smoke billowing from inside the major tourist attraction, which is considered a jewel of Islamic architecture and is visited by two million people per year. "There is some damage, significant damage, but it is very, very localised," the mayor of Cordoba, Jose Maria Bellido, told reporters outside the site which opened to the public as usual in the morning. Most of the damage is concentrated in a chapel where the fire broke out, whose roof "completely collapsed" due to the flames and the weight of the water used to put them out, he added in an interview with Spanish public television. The mayor estimated that the fire damaged approximately 50 to 60 square metres of the building, which has a total interior area of around 3,000 square metres. "Fortunately yesterday a catastrophe was avoided that could have meant losing the entire mosque-cathedral," he said. The fire-damaged section, known as the Almanzor nave, was cordoned off with waist-high barriers. Several fire engines and police lined a street near the building on Saturday morning as tourists lined up to get inside, images broadcast on Spanish media showed. The fire-damaged section, known as the Almanzor nave, remained cordoned off. A total of 35 firefighters worked throughout the night to monitor the area and cool the walls after the blaze was extinguished, the head of Cordoba's firefighting service, Daniel Munoz, said. Forensics police were at the scene on Saturday to try to determine the cause of the fire, he added. ABC and other newspapers reported that a mechanical sweeping machine had caught fire in the site. The site was built as a mosque -- on the site of an earlier church -- between the 8th and 10th centuries by the southern city's then Muslim ruler, Abd ar-Rahman, an emir of the Umayyad dynasty. After Christians reconquered Spain in the 13th century under King Ferdinand III of Castile, it was converted into a cathedral and architectural alterations were made over following centuries. The building was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 due to its architectural and cultural significance. This is the third recorded fire in the nearly 1,000-year history of the building, following incidents in 1910 and 2001.
