Convento de Santa Clara (Córdoba) facts for kids

Convento de Santa Clara

The Convento de Santa Clara is an old convent located in Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain. You can find it in the city's historic center. This convent was very important because it was the first one built in Córdoba after the Christians took back the city in October 1265.

A Look at Its Long History

This special building has a very long history. It was built on top of a Muslim mosque from the year 976. That mosque, in turn, was built on an even older church. This church was called the Basilica of Santa Catalina, and it dated back to the 6th century.

From Mosque to Convent: Its Ancient Roots

Parts of the original Muslim building are still there today. For example, the minaret, which was a tower for calling prayers, was changed into a bell-tower for the convent. The entrance on Calle Osio also dates back to this very old period. When the convent first started, it was inside the mosque building. It began with just eight nuns.

Why Did Its Name Change?

Over many years, the convent was known by different names.

• It was first called Santa Catalina, named after the old basilica.
• Later, it became "Santa Clara" when the Poor Clares, a group of nuns, moved in.
• For a time, it was also known as "Santa Isabel." This was to honor Isabella of France, who had strong connections to the Spanish royal family.

The Convent's Later Years

In 1868, the religious order of nuns joined another convent called Santa Cruz. At this point, the Convento de Santa Clara was left empty. The old minaret, which had become a bell tower, was recognized as a very important historical site in 1931. It is now protected as a "Bien de Interés Cultural," meaning a site of cultural interest. You can still see parts of the old Muslim towers, walls, and a staircase.

Exploring the Church of St Catherine

Inside the old convent, there is a church dedicated to Saint Catherine (Catalina). This church was designed in a shape called a slightly irregular Greek Cross. It measured about 19.5 meters by 21 meters. In the part of the church facing east, you can still find small pieces of an old mosaic.

See also

In Spanish: Convento de Santa Clara (Córdoba) para niños