Mudéjar Royal Baths
It is believed that, during the time of Caliphal Córdoba, there may have been up to nine hundred baths open to the public, suggesting the inhabitants’ fondness for hygiene and the pleasures of bathing. This is evidenced by the examples still preserved in our city, such as those located on Carlos Rubio, Cara or Velásquez Bosco streets… among many others, of which we have numerous records, though sadly, most have not survived.
In addition to the aforementioned public baths, there were also a great number of private baths in our city, intended for use by noblemen in their palaces. Of this type, only the Mudejar Royal Baths of the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs have survived, built in 1338 by King Alfonso for his mistress Leonor Núñez de Guzmán, who spent long periods in our city awaiting the return of her lover from various battles against the Saracens.
Curiously, the King had previously banned public baths in Christian Spain for reasons of public morality. Built in the purest Mudejar style, the works were led by the renowned stonemason Maese Mohamad, assisted by his son-in-law, the carpenter Yuçaff, and other Mudejar builders.
Location and Access to the Royal Baths
Located beneath the Hall of Mosaics, the Royal Baths are accessed by descending the same steps that lead to the Moorish Courtyard. They are attached to the northern wall and are currently in an excellent state of preservation.
Structure of the Mudejar Royal Baths
Originally, the baths had a rectangular floor plan, which has since been modified, featuring numerous rooms according to their function and use.
- Entrance area: covered by a barrel vault, with a skylight embedded in one of the walls, which borders a courtyard later used as a cesspit when the building served as a prison.
- Rest room: with six-pointed star-shaped skylights arranged in a staggered pattern.
- Warm room: used for dressing and resting, covered with a groin vault.
- Hot water room: rectangular in shape, covered by a barrel vault with similar skylights along its longitudinal axis.
Both hot water and artificial heat were produced in two separate sections located at the back, beyond the hot water room. The Tower of Homage, which housed a cistern, was responsible for supplying water to the baths. From the boiler, water flowed through conical baked clay pipes to each of the single-person baths, approximately 1.40 x 1.40 meters in size.
Visiting the Mudejar Royal Baths
If you’re wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a great option would be the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs and its Mudejar Royal Baths, by choosing one of our guided tours. Choosing high-quality tourism means choosing ArtenCórdoba.
Text: J.A.S.C.
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It is estimated that during the Caliphate period in Córdoba, there were up to nine hundred public baths, reflecting the importance that inhabitants placed on hygiene and the enjoyment of bathing.
They are private baths built in 1338 by order of King Alfonso XI for his favorite Leonor Núñez de Guzmán. They are one of the few preserved examples of private Mudéjar baths in Córdoba.
The Mudéjar Royal Baths have a rectangular floor plan with several areas: access zone, resting room, temperate chamber, and hot water room, all with vaults and skylights characteristic of the Mudéjar style.
They are located beneath the Hall of Mosaics and are accessed from the stairs leading to the Moorish Courtyard, adjoined to the northern wall of the Alcázar.
Hot water and artificial heat were generated in two separate rooms situated at the back of the complex, using a boiler connected via clay ducts to the individual baths.
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