The different chapels of the Church of San Francisco are arranged along the main nave, on the side of the Epistle. There are up to six and they have great differences, both in their style and their content.

The first one is the Chapel of Baptism, which is named after the black marble baptistery located in its centre. Behind it there is an altarpiece from the 17th century attributed to Melchor Fernández Moreno, who gave it a clear Classicist feeling, thanks to elements like the parted triangular pediment, the spiral-shafted columns or the finishing in a curve to adapt to the space. The main theme is, of course, the “Bautismo de Cristo” (Christ’s Baptims) and it is a copy of a previous original.

The Chapel of San Rafael is a small space with a small altar dedicated to “San Rafael“. At the front of this altar there is a free-standing figure of the “Ángel Custodio” (Guardian Angel) of our city, which is thought to be a work by Manuel Gómez, disciple and son of Alonso Gómez de Sandoval; therefore it is dated around the year 1795.

Next, we find the Chapel of the Venerable Third Order, a small square room, covered by a sail vault finished with a cupola and decorated with flowery elements with green and golden colours. At the front there is an altarpiece dedicated to “San Pedro de Alcántara“. It has two parts and three vertical sections, and in its centre we can see the image of the saint mentioned, made by Pedro de Mena at the end of the 17th century. In the side sections, there are two more figures, representing “San Nicolás” (we must remember that this convent belonged to the neighbourhood of San Nicolás) and “San Benvenuto“. The second part consists of a big round arch adjusted to the space of the room. Two small altars complete the decoration of the chapel, dedicated to “San Eulogio” and “San Fernando“.

In the Chapel of the Prayer in the Garden we must highlight the main images of the Brotherhood of the Garden: “Nuestro Padre Jesús de la Oración en el Huerto” (Our Father Jesus of the Prayer in the Garden), “Nuestro Padre Preso y Amarrado a la Columna” (Our Father prisoner and tied to the Column) and “María Santísima de la Candelaria” (Holy Mary of Candlemas). The two former ones are anonymous works from the 17th century, whereas the Virgin belongs to Antonio Rubio, from 1974. The figure of the “Ángel” accompanies the Lord in the procession in Holy Week and it was made by Miguel Ángel Arjona Navarro from Córdoba.

The two last chapels are connected between them, that is, the only element separating them is a round arch. The first of them is the Chapel of the Virgin of Fátima, where we can highlight a beautiful golden altarpiece, divided in three vertical sections and two parts richly decorated. In the centre of the composition, we can see the “Virgin of Fátima“, with swarthy skin and small size. On the right, there is a sculpture of “San Antonio con el Niño” (Saint Anthony with the Kid) and on the left, another one of “San Juan Nepomuceno“. The altarpiece is crowned by a round arch with the Holy Cross.

On the right there is one of the most important pieces in the church. It is an oil on canvas called “Psalmodia Eucharistica“, which represents Christ with the cross on his back, while his blood mixes with the grapes he is stepping on. It contains a deep iconographic meaning, which will be treated in detail in other sections dedicated to painting in our city.

We will finish with the Chapel of Our Lady of Pilar, whose size is similar to the previous one, and it is decorated with a golden altarpiece from the 18th century. The room is covered by a vault richly decorated with vegetable and geommetrical motifs, according to the taste of the time. The altarpiece is divided in three vertical sections, separated by estipites in the lower part, and pilasters in the higher one. In the centre there is a small image of “Nuestra Señora del Pilar” (Our Lady of Pillar), represented next to the Kid.

If you are wondering what to visit in Córdoba, a good option would be the Fernandine Churches, choosing one of our guided tours. This way you will learn everything about the Church of San Francisco. Choosing to do high quality sightseeing is choosing ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.