The authorities of Andalusia have announced a preliminary estimate for the restoration costs of the Mezquita-Catedral in Córdoba following the recent fire. According to calculations by the regional government, the restoration work is expected to cost around one million euros. The final amount will be determined after the approval of a detailed restoration plan, which is being prepared by the church council that manages the monument.
At this stage, the administration of the autonomous community has already approved an emergency plan to deal with the aftermath of the incident. The immediate priorities are urgent site cleanup and debris removal, which are necessary before restoration work can begin. These measures include the installation of scaffolding, extraction of debris, and temporary protection of the affected areas from weather conditions.
The fire, which occurred at the end of last week, affected one of the chapels and damaged two neighboring ones. According to representatives from the regional Ministry of Culture, the damage is confined to an area of about 50–60 square meters. As a result of the incident, wooden roof structures and part of the interior decoration were damaged. However, the main artworks and relics remained unharmed.
Technical services have already prepared the necessary equipment for the work, but access to the damaged area remains restricted due to the ongoing investigation into the cause of the fire. Police officers and safety experts continue to inspect the site.
Emergency clearing and assessment of the debris are being carried out in accordance with Andalusian legislation on the protection of historical heritage. As part of these works, reinforcement of one of the columns at the San-Nicolás entrance, removal of charred wooden elements, and temporary covering of the affected chapels are planned.
After the completion of preliminary work, preparations will begin for the main restoration phase. This project will also require approval from regional authorities. According to initial estimates, funding for the restoration should not be an issue: the church council has a special reserve for such situations, and the monument itself attracts millions of tourists annually.
Authorities emphasize that the damage from the fire is not critical and can be fully restored. Particular attention is being paid to the coordination of efforts between the church, regional government, national bodies, and international organizations, including UNESCO.
The issue of allocating restoration costs remains open; however, representatives of the church council have already expressed their willingness to cover the majority of expenses. Andalusian authorities note that the main priority now is to ensure transparency and coordination at every stage of preserving this unique architectural monument.
So far, restorers are unable to assess the condition of individual works of art located in the affected chapels, as access to them remains restricted. It is expected that after the police have completed their work and all necessary permits have been approved, specialists will be able to begin a detailed inspection and restoration of the interiors.
The fire at the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba has sparked widespread public discussion and prompted debates on the preservation of historical monuments in Spain. Authorities have pledged to keep the situation under control and keep the public informed about the progress of the restoration work.
