Baños del Alcázar Califal, Arabic baths in Campo de los Santos Mártires, Córdoba, Spain.
Description
Baños del Alcázar Califal is an Arab bathhouse in Córdoba featuring multiple interconnected rooms with thick stone walls and barrel-vaulted ceilings. The interior displays semicircular arches supported by marble columns, with star-shaped openings cut into the vaults to allow light and air to circulate through the building.
History
The bathhouse was built in the 10th century under Caliph Alhakem II as part of the caliphate's sophisticated bathing culture. Archaeologists discovered it in 1903, and extensive excavations between 1961 and 1964 revealed its original layout and later modifications made during the Almoravid and Almohad periods.
Culture
The baths served as a place where Muslims prepared their bodies before prayer while also functioning as a community meeting point. Neighbors and friends gathered here regularly, making it as much a social hub as a place of ritual cleansing.
Practical
The site is located in central Córdoba and is easily accessible on foot, with clear pathways to the entrance and full wheelchair accessibility throughout. Visiting hours vary by season, with longer opening times during weekdays compared to weekends, so checking ahead is recommended.
Did you know?
The preserved plasterwork displays intricate arabesques and Arabic inscriptions added during later renovations by the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties. These decorative layers reveal how the bathhouse was adapted and embellished over time, showing artistic preferences of different ruling periods.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Distrito Centro).
The historical monuments of Córdoba document architectural development from the 1st to the 20th century. The Mosque-Cathedral with its 856 columns forms the centerpiece of the religious heritage. The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with its terraced gardens and the Roman bridge over the Guadalquivir...
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
164 m
Alcázar of the Caliphs
131 m
Caliphal baths of Cordoba
3 m
Jardínes del Alcázar
248 m
Molino de la Albolafia
236 m
Triunfo de San Rafael de la Puerta del Puente
238 m
Capilla de San Bartolomé
194 m
Casa de Sefarad
238 m
Patio del Zoco, Córdoba, Spain
205 m
Monumento a los enamorados
40 m
Palacio Episcopal
161 m
Bullfighting Museum of Córdoba, Spain
187 m
Torre de Belén
158 m
Córdoba Public Library
133 m
Seminary of San Pelagio, Córdoba
185 m
Centro de Arte Rafael Botí
117 m
San Pedro de Alcántara Church
210 m
Bust of Al-Gafequi
227 m
Baños Árabes
242 m
Statue of Al-Hakam II (Córdoba)
59 m
Statue of Averroes
109 m
Tercia de Córdoba
159 m
Biblioteca Pública Provincial de Córdoba
123 m
Jardines del Alcázar
244 m
Biblioteca Diocesana de Córdoba
206 m
Statue of Maimonides in Córdoba
179 m
Museo Diocesano de Córdoba
200 m
La Sinagoga Abierta Judaismo Online Jewish Tours & Weddings Spain
256 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes