Córdoba City Council

The Ayuntamiento de Córdoba (Córdoba City Council) is the seat of the municipal government, located on Calle Capitulares in the heart of Córdoba's historic center, in Andalusia. The building combines its administrative role with a place among the landmarks of the old town, standing right next to visible traces of the city's Roman past.

Where exactly is it located?

The city hall stands on Calle Capitulares, a street within Córdoba's historic center, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. It sits just a short walk from the Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita-Catedral), the city's main attraction, which puts it naturally on the route of anyone exploring the old town. The surrounding streets are narrow and winding, typical of an Andalusian city center, and many of them lead toward the old Jewish Quarter (Judería).

What is the history behind this building?

Calle Capitulares, formerly known as Calle de los Marmolejos, became the seat of Córdoba's municipal government as far back as the 16th century, on the orders of King Felipe II. Over the centuries the town hall occupied several locations within the city — one of them on the nearby Calle Pedro López, which was eventually abandoned once the building became too small for the growing administration.

The current building was designed by architect José Rebollo. Construction began in December 1982 and took about two years, at a cost of 287 million pesetas at the time, with a further 29 million pesetas spent on furnishing the interior. The new headquarters officially opened in 1985, during the term of then-mayor Julio Anguita. The building has served as Córdoba's municipal administration center ever since.

What connects the city hall to the city's Roman past?

The area around today's city hall holds one of Córdoba's most important archaeological finds. During works carried out in the area of Calle Capitulares and neighboring Calle Claudio Marcelo in the 1950s, the remains of a Roman temple dating to the 1st century AD were uncovered. The excavated columns were partially reconstructed and now stand on open display right beside the city hall building, a reminder that layers of Roman Corduba — once capital of the province of Hispania Baetica — still lie beneath the modern city.

Why is it worth a stop while sightseeing?

The city hall itself is a working administrative building rather than a museum, but its location makes it a natural stop on a walk through the historic center. Standing in front of the facade, visitors can take in a striking contrast in a single glance — the modern seat of municipal government right next to the ancient columns of a Roman temple. It is a good spot to grasp the layered history of Córdoba, where Roman, Visigothic, Islamic, and Christian periods all overlap within the same small district.

From the city hall, it is an easy walk to both the Mosque-Cathedral and the narrow lanes of the Jewish Quarter, with its characteristic patios and flower-covered white facades — an image of Córdoba recognized around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors go inside Córdoba's city hall? The building is an active seat of municipal government, so public access is limited to its administrative function rather than tourist visits.

How far is it from the Mosque-Cathedral? The city hall is within easy walking distance of the Mosque-Cathedral, inside the same historic center of Córdoba.

What are the Roman columns next to the city hall? They are the remains of a Roman temple uncovered during works in the 1950s near Calle Claudio Marcelo, now partially reconstructed and displayed right beside the city hall building.

When was the current city hall building built? The current building, designed by architect José Rebollo, was constructed between 1982 and 1984 and officially opened in 1985.