Caliphal Baths, Córdoba, Spain

The Caliphal Baths are Arab baths in Córdoba. They are situated in the historic centre which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. The hammam ('baths) are contiguous to the Alcázar andalusí; ablutions and bodily cleanliness were an essential part of a Muslim's life, mandatory before prayer, besides being a social ritual.

The baths were constructed in the 10th century, under the Caliphate of Al-Hakam II for the enjoyment of the caliph and his court. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, they were used by Almoravids and Almohads, their dynasties noted by the plaster-carved acanthus motif and epigraphic bands of the era, which are stored in the Archaeological and Ethnological Museum of Cordoba. The remains of the baths were found accidentally in 1903 in the Campo Santo de los Mártires, and were subsequently buried. Between 1961 and 1964, a group of city historians recovered them.

The Caliphal Baths have different sections of cold, warm and hot water baths. Architectural details include rooms with masonry walls, semicircular arches, and columns with capitals. The ceiling is punctuated by cut-outs of stars.

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User Reviews

Mick Pelling (2 years ago)
Not fantastic, and a lot has to be left to the imagination, as there is little left of these baths. The history is set out as you walk round, but apart from a few rooms, there is nothing left of what would have been a magnificent place It is worth a few minutes of your time, at least it is cool on a hot day.

Tobias Madigan (3 years ago)
-It’s cool because it’s a real site of former baths but there really isn’t that much to see. Give yourself maybe 45-60 minutes tops. Not recommended for English speakers until they really step it up! - No audio guides - no guided tours - Some audio speakers but hardly in any of the rooms and very hard to hear - English translations on the description signs in each room but in letters so small it hurts your eyes to read it However for only 3 euros it’s worth it to see a historical site.

Omer Farooq (3 years ago)
Well preserved 10th century Baños del Alcázar Califal or Caliph baths of Cordoba, Spain ?? were the part of Alcazar(royal Palace during Muslim era), constructed by Caliph Al-Hakam 2 for use by members of the royal household around 960sAD. Star shaped holes in ceilings can be seen in pictures that were used for the daylight to enter and steam to escape bathhouse. Located in the Old town near Mezquita & the Alcazar, Caliph baths today are UNESCO world heritage site.

Ashar Khan (3 years ago)
Small but very interesting setup. Must have been great in old times. Now much of the ruins remains.

Zarry Bizeva (4 years ago)
The explanation video they show is more worth it than the visit itself. Still, nice to see these ruins. Keep in mind the entrance is in front of the big building, in the ground (to go underground).

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