Pedroche facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedroche
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 Pedroche
Location in Province of Córdoba (Spain)
Pedroche
Location in Andalusia
Pedroche
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Province | Córdoba | ||
| Comarca | Los Pedroches | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 121.7 km2 (47.0 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 618 m (2,028 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 1,529 | ||
| • Density | 12.564/km2 (32.540/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
Pedroche is a small town in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain. It's part of the Córdoba province. Pedroche is right in the middle of a special area called Los Pedroches. This area is the northernmost part of both Córdoba and Andalusia.
Contents
Historic Buildings and Sights
Pedroche has some really old and interesting buildings. They tell stories about the town's past.
The Convent of Our Lady of Conception
The Convent of Our Lady of Conception is a very old building. It was built in a style called Mudéjar. This style mixes Christian and Islamic art and architecture. The convent dates back to around 500 BC.
El Salvador Church
The El Salvador Church was built a long time ago, when the Catholic Monarchs ruled Spain. Workers used stones from an old castle that was torn down to build it. You can see the Mudéjar style clearly in its design.
The church has three main sections, called naves. It's one of the religious buildings from the 13th and 14th centuries. Its construction started after the Reconquista, when King Fernando III finished taking back Spain. The front part of the church was built in the 15th century. It has old paintings from that time, hidden behind a fancy Baroque altar.
The central part of the church has a beautiful wooden ceiling called a coffered ceiling. It was made in the 15th century and is still in great condition. It's colorful and very well made. There's also a smaller, striking coffered ceiling above the area where baptisms happen.
The Renaissance Tower
The Pedroche Tower is a very famous landmark. It has been a national monument since 1979. You can find it on the highest point of the town, right next to the church. Many people think it's one of the most beautiful towers in Spain.
Building the Tower
Construction of the tower likely started around 1520. They also used materials from the old castle. From 1544, a famous architect named Hernán Ruiz the Younger took over the project. He worked on it until 1558. Hernán Ruiz was known for changing the minaret of the mosque in Córdoba into a tower. He also worked on the Giralda bell tower.
Another architect, Juan de Ochoa, finished the tower in 1588. He added the top part, probably following the original plans.
Tower's Design
The tower is very tall, reaching 56 meters (about 184 feet) high! It has four main sections, or "bodies." The first section is square. The second is octagonal, which means it has eight sides. This is where the bells are. The third section is also square, and the very top section is round.
Hermitage of the Virgin of Piedrasantas
The Ermita de la Virgen de Piedrasantas is a small chapel located a few kilometers outside of town. It is home to the patron saint of Pedroche, the Virgin of Piedrasantas. The chapel was built in the 16th century. Later, in the 18th century, Baroque style additions were made.
Inside the hermitage, there are seven wooden benches. Each bench has the name of one of the seven villages in the Los Pedroches area. Representatives from these villages used to meet here to talk about things that affected all their towns.
