San Bartolomé, Córdoba facts for kids

Chapel of San Bartolomé

The Chapel of San Bartolomé (which means Capilla de San Bartolomé in Spanish) is a special old chapel in the historic center of Córdoba, Spain. It was built a long time ago, between the years 1390 and 1410. This chapel is famous for its beautiful decorations and is a great example of Mudéjar art. Mudéjar art is a unique style that mixes Christian and Islamic designs, often seen in Spain.

History of the Chapel

This chapel is located on Calle Averroes, inside what is now the Faculty of Arts building. Even though it's not as well-known as some other places, it's a very important historical building in Córdoba.

Around 1391, a new area called Alcázar Viejo started to grow. Later, the Jewish community moved from the old Jewish Quarter (La Judería). Because of these changes, the San Bartolomé parish was created. A church with the same name was then built between 1399 and 1410. This small building worked as a local church until the 1600s. People think it might have been waiting for a bigger church to be finished.

The chapel has been repaired and cleaned up a few times, in 1953 and again in 2006. These repairs help keep this amazing example of old Mudéjar art safe for everyone to see.

Chapel's Design and Art

The Chapel of San Bartolomé has a rectangular shape. It's split into two main parts: the chapel itself and a small courtyard next to it. The chapel is built from rough stone and measures about 9 meters (30 feet) long and 5 meters (16 feet) wide. The front part of the chapel, called the chancel (where the altar usually is), is a little bit higher than the rest of the building.

There are two doors. One door leads from a porch into the courtyard on Calle Averroes. The other door is a bit mysterious because it's locked from the outside! This second door goes into a side chapel, which might have been connected to a sacristy (a room where priests prepare) in another building.

The entrance from the courtyard has a pointed arch with simple decorations. The other entrance also has a pointed arch, but it's decorated with cool zigzag patterns. Inside, two small columns, decorated with Islamic patterns of scrolls and leaves, hold up the ceiling. The ceiling itself has elegant ribs, making it look like a fancy fan.

The walls inside are covered with rich decorations made from plasterwork, called yeseria. There are also beautiful tiles on the walls and even on the floor, arranged in a pattern. The wall decorations mix designs of plants, geometric shapes, and even coats of arms. These coats of arms belong to the Knights of the Band, a special group of knights created by King Alfonso XI. You can also see writing on the walls in two old Arabic styles called Kufic and Naskh.

Important Status

The Chapel of San Bartolomé has been recognized as a historic monument since 1931. This means it's a very important building that needs to be protected.

See also

In Spanish: Capilla de San Bartolomé (Córdoba) para niños