Located near the city centre, it stands as a reminder of the Islamic rule and culture that once dominated this region. It was built by Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III to protect his palace from invaders.
The bridge gate is made of brick and stone with two towers on either side which have been restored over time. The entrance to the gate is decorated with intricate carvings depicting scenes from nature and religious symbols such as crosses and stars. Above it are three large arches which were added during renovations in 1725.
This impressive structure served as an important gateway into Córdoba for centuries until its closure in 1810 when Napoleon’s troops occupied Andalusia after their victory at Trafalgar Bay. After being closed for many years, it eventually reopened to visitors in 1836 following restoration work carried out by King Ferdinand VII, who wanted to preserve its historical significance for future generations.
Today, visitors can explore this magnificent monument up close while admiring its Moorish architecture and intricate details such as carved pillars, crenellations along the walls, archways lined with ceramic tiles and statues of lions guarding each side of the entranceway. There are also several shops located inside selling souvenirs, including postcards featuring views of Bridge Gate or traditional handicrafts like pottery items or hand-painted fans depicting local scenes or folklore characters like Don Quixote de la Mancha himself.
