Iconography

As we mentioned in the previous section, several Bishops were involved in the construction works of the transept, and in fact, we can see their coats of arms in various corners of it. The iconography of the ensemble is closely linked to the different stages of the project, and therefore to each Bishop.

Fray Juan Álvarez de Toledo and the retrochoir

Fray Juan Álvarez de Toledo (1523–1537) contributed the exquisite decoration of the vault of the retrochoir, by an unknown artist, which features an iconographic program based on the Prophets and the Virtues. No less important are the reliefs located in the tympanums of the horseshoe arches that make up the retrochoir, also anonymous, representing five scenes from the Passion of Jesus Christ, remarkable for their notable compositional quality. The depicted episodes are: “The Arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane“, “The Way to Calvary“, “The Crucifixion“, “The Descent from the Cross“, and “The Resurrection“, where even the backgrounds are treated with special care by the artist.

The intervention of Don Leopoldo of Austria

According to Don Manuel Nieto Cumplido, the iconographic program created by Álvarez de Toledo in the vault of the retrochoir would be completed by Don Leopoldo of Austria with the decoration of the ambulatory at the foot of the choir, that is, at the opposite end of the Main Chapel. In this case, the Gothic ribbed vault was decorated with eight figures of virtues of great beauty and excellent composition.

From Don Leopoldo of Austria (1541–1557), we could highlight several aspects, but we will emphasize the decoration of the horseshoe arch of the axial nave located at the foot of the choir, featuring a total of twenty-two figures in niches, aligned with the various voussoirs of the arch. Above them, embedded in a semicircular arch, we find several sculptures, among which stands out “The Mother of God“, who was then the titular of the temple, blessed by the “Eternal Father” positioned above her. On both sides are “David” and “Isaiah” in a praying attitude. It is believed that the ensemble, due to its style and time of execution, could belong to Hernán Ruiz II the Younger.

The vault of the Main Chapel

The Gothic ribbed vault covering the Main Chapel was also decorated during the time of Fray Juan Álvarez de Toledo. Everything revolves around the central image of “The Assumption of Mary“, while in the four larger roundels appear Emperor Charles I and three saints. Additionally, there are up to twelve smaller circles in which the apostles are depicted, and in the corners of the vaults, between the ribs, several musical angels. It is a representation of the Glory of Mary, to which Emperor Charles I of Spain, who had died years earlier, is added.

The choir vault

The iconographic and decorative program of the choir vault was undoubtedly established during the time of Bishop Francisco Reinoso; we can even see his coats of arms among the spandrels of the arches in the center of the nave. In the spandrels are “Solomon“, “Daniel“, “Samuel“, and “David“. In the half-spandrels of the corners are the virtues of “Faith“, “Hope“, “Charity“, and “Fortitude“. In the band that divides the vault into two equal parts, in its center, is “The Assumption of Mary“, along with the saints “Saint Acisclus” and “Saint Victoria“.

The dome of the transept

The dome that covers the transept presents an even simpler iconographic scheme. In the pendentives are depicted the four evangelists surrounded by angels and winged putti. At the base of the vault, alternating with the light spaces, are sculptures of the eight Fathers of the Church: “Saint Ambrose“, “Saint Jerome“, “Saint Augustine“, “Saint Gregory“, “Saint Basil the Great“, “Saint Gregory of Nazianzus“, “Saint John Chrysostom“, and “Saint Athanasius“, all carved by the sculptor Francisco Gutiérrez Garrido. The ensemble is crowned by “The Holy Trinity“.

The western enclosure of the choir

We end the analysis with the western enclosure of the choir, the so-called foot of the choir. The figures of the four Fathers of the Church appear framed by baluster columns. The ensemble is topped by various paintings, among which “The Assumption of Mary” stands out, presumably the work of the painter Juan de Alfaro.

Guided tours and conclusion

If you would like to learn about the iconographic program of the Main Chapel of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, do not hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We are experts in the interpretation of Córdoba’s historical heritage. If you have chosen to enjoy tourism in Córdoba, choose a quality option—choose ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.