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Illustration of Al-Hakam II as a bearded 10th-century Umayyad caliph in a white turban and gold-trimmed robes, seated with a hand on an open book on a carved stand, before the red-and-white horseshoe arches of the Great Mosque of Córdoba
Ruler Patron Writer Caliphate of Córdoba929–1031

Al-Hakam II

Lived 915–976 (about 61 years)

Also known as
Hakam II, Alhaken II

Al-Hakam II was born in Córdoba in 915 and ruled as caliph from 961 until his death in 976. He was a scholar before he was a soldier: he wrote a history of al-Andalus himself, and his reign saw a large effort to translate books from Latin and Greek into Arabic.

His clearest mark on the city is the Great Mosque. From 961 he added twelve sections to the south, ending in the mihrab, a small octagonal room under a scallop-shell dome. Walk the extension in the Mezquita-Catedral, then read about the Byzantine mosaics of the mihrab. Under his rule the palace-city of Medina Azahara, begun by his father, kept growing. A stone monument to him also stands in the Campo Santo de los Mártires.

For the scholar at his side, see Lubna of Córdoba, his private secretary. For the books themselves and what became of them, read the full story.

The full story

Places to see

Vaulted interior of the Caliphal Baths in Córdoba showing star-shaped skylights and marble columns
Caliphal Baths (Baños del Alcázar Califal)
Ruins of Medina Azahara with arches and columns of the Salon Rico
Medina Azahara
Interior of the Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba with its iconic red-and-white arches and forest of columns
Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba

In their time

  1. Caliphate of Córdoba

    929–1031

    Abd al-Rahman III proclaimed the caliphate in 929, and Córdoba grew to an estimated 500,000 people. Medina Azahara was begun in 936, and the Mezquita was enlarged in 961 and 987. Under Al-Hakam II the city also built the Caliphal Baths, around 961 to 976, whose star-shaped skylights survive.

    1. Medina Azahara

      936 Monument

      Medina Azahara is Córdoba's UNESCO listed Caliphate City: a 10th century palace 8 km from town, with the Salón Rico and award-winning museum. Plan your visit.

    2. Torre Campanario de la Mezquita-Catedral

      951–958 Monument

      Climb 150 steps up the Mezquita-Catedral's 10th-century minaret-turned-bell-tower for 360-degree views over Córdoba's rooftops, Roman Bridge and Alcázar.

    3. Caliphal Baths (Baños del Alcázar Califal)

      961–976 Monument

      Underground 10th-century Islamic hammam beneath Córdoba's Campo Santo square, with star skylights, marble pillars and intact cold, warm and hot rooms.

    4. Abd al-Rahman III

      c. 890–961 Historical figure

      Abd al-Rahman III (890-961), caliph of Córdoba, had Medina Azahara built and enlarged the Great Mosque. See where his trace survives and read his full story.

    5. Hasdai ibn Shaprut

      c. 915–970 Historical figure

      Hasdai ibn Shaprut (c. 915-970) was physician and diplomat to Córdoba's caliphs. Visit the Judería and the Jewish sites that hold the city's later story.

    6. Al-Zahrawi

      c. 936–1013 Historical figure

      Al-Zahrawi (Abulcasis, c. 936–1013), Córdoba surgeon and author of the Kitab al-Tasrif. Find his trace at the Medina Azahara ruins and read the full story.

    7. Almanzor

      c. 938–1002 Historical figure

      Almanzor (c. 938-1002) ruled Córdoba as chamberlain under a puppet caliph. See what remains of his eastern extension of the Mezquita and read his story.

    8. Subh

      c. 940–999 Historical figure

      Subh (c. 940-c. 999) was the Navarrese-born concubine who became regent of Córdoba. Find where her trace lingers, from Medina Azahara to Madrid's ivory casket.

    Go deeper

Read more

Interior of the Great Mosque of Córdoba at golden hour, red and white striped arches receding into shadow, the mosque that abd al-rahman iii enlarged with a new minaret and courtyard façade
Abd al-Rahman III: The Morning Córdoba Became a Caliphate
Ruins of Medina Azahara palace-city near Córdoba at golden hour, the colonnaded throne hall partially reconstructed, where Subh of Córdoba served as regent of the Umayyad Caliphate after 976
Subh of Córdoba: The Slave Who Ruled the Caliphate
Medieval spices of caliphate food córdoba: saffron threads, mastic resin, and cinnamon sticks arranged on a worn manuscript page, warm golden candlelight, Al-Andalus aesthetic
Caliphate Food in Córdoba: How Noor Rebuilt a Lost Kitchen
Mezquita columns spolia: rows of mismatched marble, granite and jasper shafts with different capitals under red-and-white double arches, soft warm light in the Córdoba prayer hall
The Mezquita's Columns Don't Match: They Were Never Meant To