Historiography of Medina Azahara: excavations, restorations…
After the capture of Córdoba by Fernando III the Saint in 1236, it is well known that the Christian reconquerors looted materials from buildings erected by the Muslims to construct their own civil and religious edifices. The so-called “New Córdoba“, the Christian city, drew from the ruins of the Muslim city, “Old Córdoba“, as from a quarry, and this situation continued for centuries. Thus, in 1408, the city council authorized Inés de Pontevedra to obtain masonry materials from the site of Old Córdoba for the construction of the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Valparaíso, in exchange for lands adjoining those ruins.
The Historical Identification of Medina Azahara
The first to indicate that these ruins held great historical importance was the Cordoban chronicler Ambrosio de Morales, in the 16th century, although he mistakenly attributed them to the Roman era. In 1625, another Cordoban, Pedro Díaz de Rivas, established their belonging to Muslim Córdoba, dating them to the time of Abd al-Rahman III, though he did not definitively assert which monument they were part of.
The identification of the remains found in the pastureland of “Old Córdoba” as the ancient caliphal city of Medina Azahara occurred in the 19th century, specifically in 1853, and the credit must go to the scholar Pedro de Madrazo, a great expert on the translations of Arabic texts being carried out in Europe, in which the palatine city was frequently mentioned.
The Archaeological Excavations
Nevertheless, the excavation, with state financial support, of the area delineated by Madrazo did not begin until 1911, and was undertaken by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. In 1923, the remains were declared a National Monument.
Although the work of Velázquez Bosco is commendable, the true “golden age” of the excavations at Medina Azahara spanned from 1924 to 1976, under the direction of the architect Félix Hernández Jiménez, who was assisted by the Cordoban Arabist Manuel Ocaña Jiménez. From 1976 to 1984, the restoration of Medina Azahara was led by the architect Rafael Manzano Martos.
The Contemporary Phase of Research
In the latter year, the Regional Government of Andalusia, upon assuming responsibilities in cultural affairs, took over the tasks of excavation and restoration of the complex, assigning them to the archaeologist Antonio Vallejo Triano. He has continued this extensive research work on Medina Azahara for over twenty years now, and it is expected that many surprises are still to come.
Visiting Medina Azahara
If you’re wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a great option would be the archaeological site of Medina Azahara by choosing one of our guided tours. Choosing quality tourism means choosing ArtenCórdoba.
Text: Jesús Pijuán.
After the conquest of Córdoba in 1236 by Ferdinand III the Saint, Christians reused materials from the Muslim buildings of Old Córdoba to build the new Christian city, treating it as a quarry that was exploited for centuries.
It was in the 16th century when Ambrosio de Morales first pointed out the significance of the ruins, although he mistakenly attributed them to the Roman period. Later, in 1625, Pedro Díaz de Rivas linked them to Muslim Córdoba, without determining their exact origin.
The definitive identification occurred in 1853 thanks to the scholar Pedro de Madrazo, who related the ruins of Old Córdoba to the caliphal city of Medina Azahara through the study of Arabic texts translated in Europe.
The excavations began in 1911 under the direction of the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco and with financial support from the State. In 1923, the remains were declared a National Monument.
Since 1984, the archaeologist Antonio Vallejo Triano has been directing the excavation and restoration work at Medina Azahara, a continuous research effort that continues to reveal new findings.
Table of contents
Popular visits
Guided Tour Mosque of Cordoba
From:
Guided Tour to Medina Azahara
From:
Guided Tour to the Alcazar of Cordoba
From:
