The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba selects HI-FOG water mist to protect a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Marioff has been selected to supply and commission a HI-FOG® high-pressure water mist fire protection system for the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, one of the world’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As part of the first phase of the project, Marioff will deliver a fire protection solution designed to safeguard the monument’s most vulnerable areas while fully respecting its unique architecture and irreplaceable cultural value. The initial phase focuses on protecting the elevated roof structures above the choir, transept, presbytery, and central dome, located up to 40 meters above ground and containing complex wooden structures that are particularly sensitive to fire risk.

The project is being implemented together with Chubb Iberia and forms part of a long-term, scalable fire safety strategy that will progressively extend protection to the entire monument.

Protecting historic monuments requires a solution that combines rapid fire response, minimal water usage and minimal visual impact. HI-FOG® high-pressure water mist meets these requirements by producing microscopic droplets that cool the fire, displace oxygen and suppress flames efficiently while significantly reducing water damage compared to traditional sprinkler systems.

The solution selected for the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba follows the same proven principles already applied by Marioff at other world-renowned landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.

In Córdoba, the system integrates early fire detection using thermographic cameras and fiber-optic temperature monitoring, enabling the system to respond at the earliest possible stage — even before open flames develop.
“Protecting a monument of this significance is both a responsibility and an honor,” says Alfonso Pomeda, Managing Director of Marioff Spain.

“HI-FOG is specifically designed for environments where conventional fire protection solutions are simply not an option. By using water mist, we achieve rapid fire control while preserving the structure, materials and visual integrity of the building. This project reflects what Marioff stands for: proven technology, deep expertise and a commitment to protecting what truly matters.”

The first phase of the project marks the beginning of a long-term, scalable fire protection strategy for the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba. The system infrastructure has been designed from the outset to support future expansion, allowing protection to be progressively extended to additional areas of the monument in the coming years.

Installation works have been carefully planned in close collaboration with conservation experts to ensure minimal archaeological and visual impact, with discreet pipe routing and fully reversible interventions where required.

For Marioff, the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba represents another milestone in protecting globally significant heritage sites and reinforces the company’s position as a trusted partner for fire protection in the most demanding and sensitive environments.