Church of S. Francisco and S. Eulogio: Chapels.

The various chapels housed in the Church of San Francisco are arranged along the main nave, on the epistle side. There are a total of six, and they exhibit notable differences, both stylistically and in their content.

Chapel of Baptism

The first is the Chapel of Baptism, named after the black marble baptismal font located at its center. Behind it stands a 17th-century altarpiece attributed to Melchor Fernández Moreno, who managed to give it a remarkable classicist accent through elements such as the split triangular pediment, the spiral columns, and the curved top designed to fit the space. The main theme is, of course, the “Baptism of Christ“, and it is a copy of an earlier work.

Chapel of Saint Raphael

The Chapel of Saint Raphael is a small space that houses a modest altar dedicated to “Saint Raphael“. The altar is presided over by a freestanding figure of the “Guardian Angel” of our city, believed to be the work of Manuel Gómez, student and son of Alonso Gómez de Sandoval, and therefore dated around 1795.

Chapel of the Venerable Third Order

Next is the Chapel of the Venerable Third Order, a small square room covered by a sail vault topped with a lantern, decorated with floral elements in green and golden tones. An altarpiece dedicated to “Saint Peter of Alcántara” presides over the space. With two tiers and three sections, the central niche houses the image of the aforementioned saint, a work by Pedro de Mena from the late 17th century. In the side sections are two more figures, representing “Saint Nicholas” (note that this convent once belonged to the parish of Saint Nicholas) and “Saint Benvenuto“. The second tier consists of a large semicircular arch that fits the space of the room. Two small altars complete the chapel’s decoration, dedicated to “Saint Eulogius” and “Saint Ferdinand“.

Chapel of the Agony in the Garden

In the Chapel of the Agony in the Garden stand out the titular images of the Brotherhood of the Garden: “Our Father Jesus of the Agony in the Garden“, “Our Imprisoned Father Bound to the Column“, and “Holy Mary of Candelaria“; the first two are anonymous works from the 17th century, while the Virgin is by Antonio Rubio, dating from 1974. The figure of the “Angel” processes with the Lord during Holy Week and is the work of Cordoban artist Miguel Ángel Arjona Navarro.

Chapel of Our Lady of Fátima

The last two chapels are connected to each other, meaning the only element separating them is a semicircular arch. The first of them is the Chapel of Our Lady of Fátima, featuring a beautifully crafted gilded altarpiece, divided into three sections and two tiers, richly decorated. At the center of the composition is the “Virgin of Fátima“, with dark skin and small format. On the right is a sculpture of “Saint Anthony with the Child“, and on the left another of “Saint John Nepomuk“. The altarpiece is crowned with a semicircular arch housing the Holy Cross.

Psalmodia Eucharistica

To the right is one of the most important works the church possesses, an oil on canvas titled “Psalmodia Eucharistica“, depicting Christ bearing the cross, his blood mixing with the grapes he is treading. It is a theme of profound iconographic depth, which we will explore further in future sections dedicated to the painting of our city.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Pillar

We conclude with the Chapel of Our Lady of the Pillar