The Primitive Main Chapel

As we mentioned in the introduction, after the conquest of the city by Ferdinand III the Saint in 1236, and after the consecration of the former Mosque, a Main Chapel was created. Its apse was located in the skylight entrance to the expansion of Alhaken II, which we now know as the Villaviciosa Skylight. The space between the skylight and the western wall of the building was chosen to house the choir; this space covered the first three bays of the Alhaken II expansion in the five aisles extending westward.

The Choir and Its Renovation

The choir is the area reserved for the canons to recite the hours and attend the services at the High Altar, although this did not seem the most suitable place for such a function. One must also understand the social and political context of the time, as we previously pointed out, marked by ongoing armed conflicts between Christians and Muslims. As a result, the renovation of the choir was not undertaken until the late 15th century, with the arrival of Bishop Iñigo Manrique.

The result of the works was a wide, spacious, and luminous Gothic nave, characterized by great austerity. Despite its current state, it was once one of the most richly and beautifully decorated areas of the Mosque-Cathedral, with walls adorned with beautiful medieval paintings, many of which are preserved in the Museum of Fine Arts in our city.

From Main Chapel to Chapel of Villaviciosa

In 1607, when the construction of the transept of the current Main Chapel was completed, it became known as the Chapel of Villaviciosa, a name it still bears today. Over time, the chapel underwent numerous transformations, such as the addition of Baroque vaults, which covered the medieval structures, or the well-known Solomonic-style altarpiece that is still preserved in the Convent of the Crucified Jesus.

The Baroque chapel was destroyed at the end of the 19th century to reveal the Caliphal structure, an intervention later completed by the architect Ricardo Velázquez Bosco.

Architectural Description

Focusing on purely formal aspects, we observe that the old Main Chapel features a basilica floor plan, with its apse oriented to the East, following the tradition of almost all Cordoban churches of the time, such as the Fernandine churches, which have a special section on our website.

Structure and Roofing

From the pillars emerge large moulded transverse arches that, as their name suggests, serve to brace the vault. Between them are the different bays that make up the gabled wooden ceiling, which in turn is formed by square coffers decorated with vegetal-themed paintings.

Lighting

Lighting is provided by splayed Gothic windows with stained glass, located on the second level, as well as a small rose window found on the western wall.

Visit the Old Main Chapel

If you wish to visit the old Main Chapel of the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, do not hesitate to book one of our guided tours. We are experts in the interpretation of Cordoba’s historical heritage. If you have chosen to enjoy tourism in Córdoba, choose a quality option—choose ArtenCórdoba.

Text: J.A.S.C.