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18€
20€
Rating 5/5
Beyond the legend of the romantic whim of a caliph in love with his favourite concubine, Medina al-Zahra has a dazzling historical reality that we want you to be part of. At the foot of the Cordoba mountains, very close to the old city, it was a political centre that was to become the cultural forge of a new world. That is why our guided tour of Medina Azahara is a unique experience.
The cultural impact and material value make Madinat al-Zahra a unique example of Islam. It was conceived as a grandiose project with a clear political component, the dignification of the caliphate and in the face of the ambassadors of the different European kingdoms. A tradition that you can explore through its archaeological remains and a magnificent recreation of the greatness that the enclosure once boasted. Power is on display, and that must have been clear to Abd-al Rahman III. An integrated urban complex with the royal palace in the highest part and several terraces with outbuildings, halls, courtyards and gardens, kitchens, military garrison, dwellings, etc., spread out over several terraces. It was an extensive complex that housed more than 20,000 people in a short period of time. The renewed image of the strong and powerful caliphate that the new palace city had created did not last more than 70 years. Art, the written word and knowledge are just some of the things you can appreciate about the ephemeral city that ended with the end of the Umayyad caliphate. Abandoned and despoiled, it has remained unchanged. In recent years a great deal of restoration work has been carried out which has allowed us to glimpse its rich heritage and its influence on art and thought.
Medina Azahara was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in the category of monument in 1923 and in 2018 a World Heritage Site by Unesco. A very solid candidacy that is the bridge between the Eastern and European worlds. The perfect complement to a visit to the Mosque of Cordoba to understand the splendour of the city in the 10th century.
With your ticket to Medina Azahara you can enter an area where time has stood still and has kept intact an oriental legacy that came to Cordoba to show the world the cultural importance of the Muslim caliphs. Its legacy is displayed in two areas, the Interpretation Centre and the Archaeological Ensemble, which you can access with your visit. The entrance ticket includes a shuttle that connects both areas, accompanied throughout the tour by a specialised guide who will take you into the history and legends surrounding the archaeological site. Remember that non-European Union residents will have to pay €1.5 at the monument’s ticket office.
Depending on availability, from Tuesday to Sunday at 10:00h or 10:45h at the Glorieta de la Cruz Roja (if you include the bus from Cordoba) or at 10:20h or 11:05h at the shuttle bus stop next to the Interpretation Centre of Medina (if you are travelling in your private car), we have included a route in Spanish and English around the archaeological complex. This time of day will allow you to visit a space where there are not too many shadows, so your visit will be much more welcoming first thing in the morning.
If you prefer a tailor-made tour or if you are a large group, it is also possible to book a Private Tour.
These are the prices of our guided tour:
Adults with transport
25€
Adults without transport
18€
Children between 8 and 12 years old with transport
14€
Children between 8 and 12 years old without transport
9€
Children under 8 years old with transport
6€
Children under 8 years old without transport
3€
This is what the guided tour includes:
Visit with Transport from Cordoba: Glorieta de la Cruz Roja (Av.Paseo de la Victoria) at 10:00h or 10:45h depending on tour availability
Medina Azahara Interpretation Centre, next to the shuttle bus stop at 10.20h or 11:05h depending on the availability of the tour
Medina Azahara is located 8 km west of Cordoba, so it is necessary to travel by car. The possible alternatives are:
In case the cancellation is made more than 24 hours in advance, this will be free of charge.If you cancel with less time or no-show, there will be no refund.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity. If you cancel with less time or do not show up, no refund will be made.
Enjoy a unique experience and don’t miss any detail of the main activities you can discover in Andalusia.
