The Santa Catalina Gate

Open since the time of Almanzor, this elegant access to the Patio of the Orange Trees of the Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba from its eastern side has been known since the Christian period as the Gate of Saint Catherine, due to its proximity to the Convent of Saint Catherine, which later came to be known as that of Saint Clare.

Style and attribution

A gate of unmistakable Renaissance style, which Don Miguel Salcedo Hierro catalogued as Plateresque mainly because of its decoration. It is currently attributed to the architect Hernán Ruiz II the Younger (1508–1569), thanks to the coat of arms of Bishop Cristóbal de Rojas y Sandoval (1562–1571) that decorates the keystone of the access arch.

Semicircular in shape, it is flanked by two smooth-shafted columns on pedestals, which support the weight of the continuous frieze decorated with vegetal motifs. The most interesting feature offered by the Gate of Saint Catherine can be found in the spandrels of the arch, as they are decorated with reliefs from the former Muslim minaret ordered to be built by Abderramán III and from the Gate of Forgiveness. Thanks to these reliefs, we know what the former looked like before its reconstruction, carried out by Hernán Ruiz himself.

Second tier and pictorial decoration

The same frieze mentioned above serves as the base for the second tier, which is structured into three sections thanks to the two fluted columns with Corinthian capitals at the ends and the inner pilasters. The three resulting “unused” niches were occupied by paintings by Antonio del Castillo: in the center, “Saint Catherine” was depicted, and on either side “Saint Acisclus” and “Saint Victoria”, patron saints of the city; however, scarcely any remains of these paintings survive today.

A curved pediment crowned with the figure of the “Eternal Father” tops off this elegant ensemble, an elegance that is a common denominator in the work of Hernán Ruiz II.

The bronze doors

The doors are made of wood, but they feature coverings of bronze plates secured with plain nails. The knockers, fashioned in the form of zoomorphic figures, bear on their handles an inscription referring to the year of their manufacture: “Anno 1573”. The final touches were probably carried out after the master’s death in 1569.

Historical and religious use

For Nieto Cumplido, the Gate of Saint Catherine is the second most important gate of the Mosque–Cathedral, noting that it has been the setting for religious events since the Middle Ages, including all kinds of processions, among them those of Holy Week. This tradition continues today, as a significant number of brotherhoods make their penitential station in the Cathedral, with the Gate of Saint Catherine being the exit through which they leave the city’s main temple.

Visit the Gate of Saint Catherine

If you are unsure what to do in Córdoba, we recommend visiting the Mosque–Cathedral by booking one of our guided tours. There we will devote a special chapter to the Gate of Saint Catherine. Choose quality tourism with qualified professionals—without hesitation, ArtenCórdoba is the best option.

Text: J.A.S.C.