The Cathedral: Presentation.

On June 29th, 1236, the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, King Ferdinand III the Saint entered our city with his troops. A long procession crossed the bridge until it reached the Mosque, where the Cross, symbol of Christianity, and the banner of Castile and León were first placed on the minaret. Immediately afterward, the Bishop of Osma officiated the consecration ceremony of the Islamic oratory, and the new Cathedral was “baptized” under the invocation of Saint Mary, Glorious Mother of Jesus Christ.

The first Main Chapel and the royal funerary spaces

The first Main Chapel was established in the space corresponding to the skylight that led into the expansion of Alhaken II of the old Mosque, with the three aisles between it and the western wall used as a choir. Next to the aforementioned entrance skylight was another one, surely built during the Almohad period, which in 1371 King Henry II reserved to house the remains of his father and grandfather, Alfonso XI and Ferdinand IV, respectively; this is the Royal Chapel.

The great reforms of the 16th century

Being a frontier city at the time led to marked political and social instability, which meant that major construction works were absent until the early 16th century, when one of the greatest architectural dynasties of our city emerged: the Hernán Ruiz family. The first, Hernán Ruiz I, nicknamed the Elder, was Master Builder of the Cathedral for nearly half a century (1502–1549); his work on the building has been studied in three main phases: the renovation of the exterior facades and courtyard (1505–1514), the renovation of the naves of Almanzor (1514–1523), and the creation of the new Main Chapel and Choir, works he began in 1523 and continued until his death in 1549.

The completion of the Main Chapel

The construction of the Main Chapel continued until 1607, revealing, over the years, the differing interpretations of architecture by the various masters who led the project, such as Hernán Ruiz II, son and successor of the aforementioned Hernán Ruiz the Elder, Diego de Praves, and Juan de Ochoa himself, a key figure in the city’s Mannerism.

Interventions in the 17th and 18th centuries

Throughout the seventeenth century, a period of clear political and social stability took place, which, unsurprisingly, directly affected the Cathedral. Many medieval chapels were renovated during this time, and even new ones were built, among which the Chapel of the Holy Spirit stands out, one of the last works by Hernán Ruiz II. The 16th-century works were concluded with the start of the renovation of the tower, beginning with the bell tower designed by Hernán Ruiz III; the same architect also created the Chapel of the Tabernacle, located southeast of the prayer hall.

The Baroque splendor

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the religious fervor of earlier times persisted, prompting prominent families to generously fund the maintenance of worship in the chapels built in previous years. In the 18th century, the creation of the Chapel of Saint Teresa stands out, built to serve as the Main Sacristy and to house the remains of the late Cardinal Salazar. One must also not forget one of the most remarkable choir stalls of the Spanish Baroque, crafted by Pedro Duque Cornejo, to which we will dedicate a special section.

Understanding the Cathedral

Below, as usual, we will take a brief journey through the history of the Cathedral, highlighting the figures who had the greatest influence on it. Additionally, we will individually address those spaces we consider essential to gain a minimal understanding of the monument, which, ultimately, is the purpose of this website.

Visiting the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba

If you’re wondering what to visit in Córdoba, the best option would be the Mosque-Cathedral, choosing one of our guided tours. Opting for quality tourism means choosing ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.