Church of Santa María Magdalena: The Building.

As we explained in the previous section, the Church of La Magdalena is no longer a place of worship. For that very reason, we have decided to briefly describe the interior and focus more on what you will be able to see should you decide to visit the church.

The interior of the church

With a slightly irregular and slanted floor plan, it features three parallel naves, the central one being wider and taller than the side ones. These three naves are composed, in turn, of three rows of pointed arches supported by columns attached to large quadrangular pillars. Above the arches runs the traditional reinforced wall, which supports the wooden coffered ceiling, installed during restoration and following the traditional schemes of the Fernandine Churches. Simple semicircular windows, along with the rose window located on the main façade, illuminate the nave.

The apse and the main altar

The apse follows a design already known in Córdoba, with a central polygonal apse, expressed externally through buttresses that withstand the thrusts of the vaults, and straight lateral apses. A semicircular triumphal arch gives access to the Main Altar, which is covered by a typical Gothic ribbed vault with a keystone decorated with vegetal elements—the same type of vault that covers the other apses. Of particular interest is the pointed arch, now blocked, that led to the epistle apse, as it shows traces of polychromy on its intrados, although the motifs are barely distinguishable.

Chapels and unique spaces

On the gospel side, in addition to the funerary arcosolia, a square space covered by a dome and topped with a lantern stands out. It is accessed through a moulded semicircular arch. Inside, there is a small empty niche, which surely once housed an important image. This is undoubtedly the aforementioned Chapel of Sorrows, founded in 1413 by Don Rodrigo Alfonso de Armenta.

The portals

Gospel Portal

Built in projection, the Gospel Portal follows the typical scheme used in Fernandine Churches. A large pointed entrance arch, composed of numerous archivolts resting on slender columns, gives access to the interior. To its left are the remains of a sculpture representing the Archangel Gabriel, although nothing has been preserved of the Virgin Mary, who should have been on the opposite side, together forming the group of the Annunciation of Mary. The ensemble is topped by a stone overhanging roof, supported by corbels formed by broken rolls crossed by plain bands.

Main Portal

The Main Portal, also built in projection, presents a similar design to the previous one, with notable ornamental features such as zigzag patterns on the intrados and a kind of balls with two holes on the extrados. Above the portal is a blind trilobed oculus, which may have once held an image. Above that is the restored rose window.

Epistle Portal

The Epistle Portal stands out for the simplicity of its design. It consists of a moulded semicircular arch decorated with diamond point motifs, all framed by a simple alfiz adorned with diamond points.

The tower

The current tower replaced the medieval one at the end of the 18th century, under the bishopric of Don Antonio Caballero y Góngora, who financed the work—hence his coat of arms appears on it. With a square floor plan, it is divided into three sections. The first one is undecorated; the second, framed by four large scrolls, has chamfered corners, and on all four sides there are semicircular bell openings. The top section also features chamfered corners and is topped with a lantern.

The visit

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

Text: J.A.S.C.