St. Andrew’s Church: The Building.

The Church of San Andrés, as we already mentioned in the previous section, underwent a major renovation at the beginning of the 18th century, so it does not retain its original state. Of the old church, only part of the transept of the current one remains; it originally consisted of three naves arranged from East to West, covered by Gothic ribbed vaults. During the aforementioned renovation, the church was expanded from North to South, extending from the former Gospel side of the original temple through three large naves, up to what is now the rear of the current church. In contrast, the new apse would emerge from the old Epistle nave as a result of its widening.

Interior Description

Naves and Transept

Focusing on the current Church of San Andrés, we can observe that it consists of three naves, with the central one being wider and taller than the side ones. These are connected by three large semicircular arches resting on cruciform pillars, with pilasters attached to their front faces that extend above the arches to the top of the central nave, which is covered by groin vaults. The clarity of its forms stands out above all else upon entering the church, built according to the prevailing taste in Córdoba at the beginning of the 18th century, where ornamental motifs are reduced to simple geometric panels, and the white lime covers almost all the walls.

The side naves repeat the layout of the central nave, that is, three bays covered by groin vaults and separated by semicircular arches on pillars. The central space of the transept, far from being covered by a sumptuous dome on pendentives, is sheltered by a simple sail vault, where the austerity is only disturbed by a small decorative rosette.

Sacrarium Chapel and Apse

In the Gospel nave is the Sacrarium Chapel which, as we mentioned earlier, was the apse of the medieval temple. With a polygonal floor plan, it is visible from the outside through buttresses that supported the thrust of the former Gothic ribbed vaults. These vaults are no longer preserved today, but the white walls remain, highlighting the cream color of the segmental arches that support the 18th-century ceilings.

The current apse features three rectangular spaces covered by groin vaults, connected to each other by narrow openings. The central space seems to have been conceived to house a large altarpiece, unlike those churches whose apses have been preserved from medieval times.

Parish Facilities

Around the Epistle nave are the current parish facilities, such as the Sacristy. Those located further west formed the narthex of the medieval temple and, therefore, housed its main entrance.

The Exterior of the Building

Portals

On the exterior, up to three entrances can be distinguished. First, we focus on the one located to the West, on Fernán Pérez de Oliva Street, that is, the medieval portal. A portal that, curiously, was built after the construction of the temple; completed in 1489, it replaced an earlier one that was on the verge of collapse. It features a large semicircular arch sheltering a splayed entrance supported by small smooth-shaft columns attached to the wall. Crowning the lintelled opening, accessed by three steps, is an exceptional tympanum decorated with a mesh of lobed arches, very much in line with the taste of the time.

The main façade, built in the first third of the 18th century, perfectly reflects on the outside what we find inside: the predominance of white and the use of cream for decoration, a decoration based on geometric panels. The portal is more ornate, presided over by a semicircular arch above which is the coat of arms of Bishop Marcelino Siuri, sponsor of the renovation works. In a niche crowning the entrance, there is a stone sculpture of “San Andrés“, the patron saint of the temple.

Bell Tower

We conclude this brief description of the Church of San Andrés with the bell tower, built in the 16th century under the patronage of Bishop Fray Martín de Córdoba, who had his coat of arms placed on its front face. The tower consists of two sections, the first of which is quite austere, built in brick, with decoration limited to the use of pilasters with Tuscan capitals at the ends. The second section begins with a small balustrade and shows clear similarities with the Tower of the Church of San Lorenzo, as it is rotated in relation to the first section. A total of four semicircular openings, one on each side, make up the bell section.

Visiting the Church of San Andrés

If you’re wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a great option would be the Fernandine Churches, by choosing one of our guided tours. This way, you can learn everything about the Church of San Andrés. Choosing quality tourism means choosing ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.