A Vertical Palimpsest. Construction and structural evolution of the Bell Tower of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

The Bell Tower of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, standing 54 meters tall, is revealed as a 'vertical palimpsest'—a composite structure where successive historical layers have reshaped its form while preserving traces of past iterations. This study deciphers the tower's evolution through archival analysis, 2D/3D reconstructions, and on-site surveys, uncovering how the original caliphal minaret, later Christian masonry additions, and modern interventions interact structurally. The findings provide a geometric and structural framework essential for future seismic and geotechnical assessments of this complex heritage site.

Cuerda-del-Valle, I., Romero-Sánchez, E., & Morales-Esteban, A. (2025). A Vertical Palimpsest. Construction and structural evolution of the Bell Tower of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Restauro Archeologico, 33(2), 44–55. https://doi.org/10.36253/rar-19358