I have gotten lots of help with my trip planning to Madrid, Cordoba and Sevilla (leaving next week!) - and I want to thank everyone who took the time to advise and comment on our itinerary. I have another question re: the Mezquita in Cordoba and hoping to get some clarification. Some experts have advised the night visit to the Mezquita - which sounds like a great idea since we only have 1 night in Cordoba and want to maximize our time there - but going on to the site's website it is hard to make out if they open for night visits in February or not. Also there are instructions and a schedule for purchasing tickets to the Tower but these are equally hard to parse! It seems you can only buy a pair of tickets at a time? We are a family of 5 adults. Has anyone been there recently who could help clarify? Thanks.
Posted by
Chicago
7850 posts
They are open for night visits on February
You can buy them on this page click under Ventas online
http://www.catedraldecordoba.es/visitanocturna.asp#
You will prompted to register to buy online
The tower is separate
http://www.cordoba24.info/english/html/belltower.html
Posted by
California 🦋
5213 posts
Some experts have advised the night visit to the Mezquita.
We visited the Mezquita twice when we were in Córdoba, but not at night.
Keep in mind that you will miss the wonderful stained glass windows when visiting at night.
So, I'd suggest you visit during the day, when the sun is shining, if you have the time.
Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15584 posts
I did the night visit last year on my 3rd trip to Spain and 3rd time in Cordoba and at the Mezquita. There are pluses and minuses. On the plus side, you enter through the main doors (only time they're open) and your group are the only people there. On the minus side: you sit through an introductory movie before you enter. The commentary for the whole visit is pre-recorded and you listen through headsets. You are somewhat herded (a group of 30-40 people) through the interior; you are not permitted to stray or to take any photographs. The visit is about an hour inside.
I looked at the website - there are night visits on Friday and Saturday in Feb.
Posted by
US
391 posts
In another thread, I said:
Why was Cordoba's Mezquita my favorite? Because it was free admission and without hordes of tour groups!!! Between 8:30 to 9:30, Mon thru Sat, admission is free and no tour groups allowed. What a fantastic policy!
But an hour was not enough. So I went twice.
During that hour, only ~30 or so visitors were present. Heavenly!
Posted by
OP
38 posts
Thanks all - for clarifying. It's clear I had misunderstood the schedule re: night visits on the Mezquita site. - I thought that during feast days it was only open Fridays and Saturdays in February. So since we only have 1 night in Cordoba,and that night is a Thursday night, that rules out a night visit, but I will make sure to take that in during our next visit. Since our train gets in mid-afternoon, we may have time to to the Tower visit or certainly to get to know the city - checking out the Jewish quarter. The next morning we will certainly do the free visit to the Mezquita - not so much because it is free, but because we will be there without crowds. I appreciate everyone's help and well wishes. And will report and give back to the community when we get back!
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15584 posts
After my night visit, I went the next morning for the free hour. I wasn't sure which entrance to line up at so I waited at the main entrance next to the tower. As I walked in, I saw people coming in from the other entrances to the orange garden as well. You won't be able to rent the audio guide, but it's pretty useless anyway. Binoculars are useful to see the detail, especially the painted wooden ceilings and the mihrab's mosaics. Take the time (any time) to walk around the outside of the Mezquita too.