Mudejar Chapel of San Bartolomé

The Chapel of San Bartolomé is one of the great unknowns among the monuments of Córdoba, and undoubtedly one of the most attractive, destined to become one of the most visited in the not-too-distant future. It is integrated within the current Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, a building that between the 18th and 20th centuries served as the Hospital of Cardinal Salazar. It can be accessed from its outer courtyard, which opens onto Averroes Street, or from inside the faculty.

When, in 1391, the repopulation of the nearby Alcázar Viejo neighborhood was determined and the subsequent abandonment of the Jewish Quarter occurred, it became necessary to create a new parish, dedicated to San Bartolomé, whose name already appears in documents from 1410. As a logical consequence, a new sacred building was erected, with construction dated between 1399 and 1410.

The Mudejar Chapel of San Bartolomé was built at the end of the 14th century or the beginning of the 15th.

Structure and general features

This small space served as a parish until the early 17th century. The complex is an example of Gothic-Mudejar aesthetics, consisting of two sectors: the chapel and the atrium. It is built with sandstone ashlar masonry arranged in a stretcher and header bond.

The chapel has a rectangular floor plan of about 9 x 5 meters. Its head is flat, and the presbytery is distinguished by a small step. There are two entrances: one to an exterior portico open to the courtyard that connects to Averroes Street, and another to a lateral chapel that is closed off from the outside. This suggests that there was another attached building, possibly a sacristy.

Portals and exterior elements

The portal leading to the courtyard displays a sober pointed arch with no decoration other than simple moldings. The portal leading to the chapel repeats this scheme, but with zigzag or sawtooth decoration. On corbels with scrolls and incised leaves, clearly of Islamic heritage, stand two small columns that, together with roll corbels, support an elegant overhanging roof. The central corbel is decorated with a small scallop shell.

The ensemble is protected by a portico formed by three large pointed and raised arches, supported by reused columns.

The interior of the chapel

Upon entering the chapel, one is struck by the contrast with its exterior portal. The cusped pointed arch is framed by an alfiz and adorned with abundant plasterwork. The interior space is covered by two Gothic ribbed vaults whose keystones feature vegetal decoration, joined by a spine decorated with sawtooth patterns.

The corners of the vaults are resolved with small ribbed vaults, a common solution at the time, as seen in the Tower of the Lions at the Christian Alcazar.

Mudejar decorative program

The richness of the interior decoration combines plasterwork and tilework. The floor alternates tiles, olambrillas, and bricks, elements dated to the Late Middle Ages and possibly original. The base is the most restored area due to deterioration from previous interventions.

The plasterwork almost completely covers the walls, with vegetal, geometric, heraldic, and epigraphic decoration. The interlacing features backgrounds of ataurique and shields in the stars formed by the laces. The shields belong to the Order of the Band, instituted by Alfonso IX.

As for the epigraphy, both Kufic and Naskh characters can be found. One of the decorative bands reads: “Eternity for Allah, glory for Allah”.

Visiting the Chapel of San Bartolomé

If you are wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a magnificent option is the Chapel of San Bartolomé, choosing one of our guided tours. Opting for quality tourism is opting for ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.