San Pablo, Córdoba facts for kids
San Pablo is a beautiful church and a former convent located in Córdoba, a city in southern Andalusia, Spain. This special place has always been important because of its location near a main entrance to the city. Before the church and convent were built, this spot was home to a Roman circus and even a Muslim palace. Later, Christian groups called Almohads built a Dominican convent here.
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Exploring San Pablo's Design
The church of San Pablo has many interesting features. It was built with a style called Baroque, which means it has lots of fancy details and decorations, especially from 1708. The main front of the church, called the facade, shows a style from the 1500s known as Mannerist.
When you go inside, you'll see three long sections called naves. These are separated by tall pillars. The ceilings above these pillars have special designs called Mudéjar ornamentation, which is a mix of Christian and Muslim art styles.
At the ends of the naves, there are three rounded areas called apses. These are circular inside but look rectangular from the outside. They have unique dome-shaped ceilings.
The Tower and Special Doors
The church has a tall tower at its front. The bottom part of the tower is made of stone, and on top of that is a wooden section where the bells are kept.
You can also find some old doors inside. In one section, there's a pointed archway with ancient capitals (the tops of pillars) that leads to San Pablo Street. In another part, there's an old door designed in a Gothic-Mudéjar style.
Important Chapels and Art
One of the most famous parts of the church is the Chapel of the Madonna del Rosario. It was first built in the 1400s and then updated in 1758. This chapel is a great example of the Baroque style found in Córdoba.
You can still see parts of the old convent's courtyard, called a cloister, built into a passage on Capitulares Street. There was also a chapter house designed by a famous architect named Hernán Ruiz II, but it might not have been fully finished.
The entire building was carefully fixed up and restored in 2008 to help preserve its cultural importance for the city. One of the most important sculptures in Córdoba, especially during Easter, is called Our Lady of Sorrows. It was created by an artist named Juan de Mesa in 1627.
The Gardens of Orive
Outside the church, you'll find the Jardines de Orive. These beautiful gardens were once part of the convent's grounds. People have been talking about these gardens since as far back as 1409!
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Pablo (Córdoba) para niños
- List of carillons
