Santa Marina (Córdoba) Facts for Kids

Santa Marina, a historic church in Córdoba

Santa Marina is a beautiful old church in Córdoba, Spain. It's one of the special "Fernandinean Churches." These churches were built after King Ferdinand III of Castile took over Córdoba in 1236 CE. Santa Marina mixes different old building styles like early Gothic, Mudéjar, and a bit of late Romanesque.

A Look Back: Santa Marina's History
- Building a Church: From Old to New
- Repairs and Renovations
Exploring Santa Marina: What It Looks Like
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A Look Back: Santa Marina's History

Building a Church: From Old to New

This church is one of the oldest "Fernandinean" churches. It was built in the second half of the 1200s. Before it was a church, there was a mosque on the same spot. Even before that, in the 600s, there was a Visigothic church there. Today, you can't see any parts of those older buildings.

Repairs and Renovations

On June 23, 1880, a fire damaged the church. It took two years to fix it. More repairs happened in the 1800s and 1900s. During these times, workers removed some newer additions from the Baroque style. This helped the church look more like it did in medieval times. These Baroque parts were added after earthquakes in 1680 and 1755.

Since 1931, Santa Marina church has been a national monument. This means it's a very important historical building.

Exploring Santa Marina: What It Looks Like

Church Layout: Nave and Aisles

The church has a rectangular shape, like a long box. It's built in a "basilica plan." This means it has a main central area called a nave. On each side of the nave are two smaller areas called aisles. The nave is much taller than the aisles. Large pointed arches separate the aisles from the main nave.

Outside the Church: Facade Details

The front of the church, called the facade, has four big, uneven buttresses. These are strong supports that stick out from the walls. They end in pointy tops called pinnacles. These buttresses show where the nave and aisles are inside.

You can also see a large round window in the middle, called a rose window. There are smaller round windows too. Above the main entrance, there are special frames called alfizes around the pointed arch. The left side of the church also has a second entrance with a triangular arch above it.

Inside and Around: Apses and Towers

The back parts of the church, called apses, are shaped like polygons. In the right aisle, you'll find the sacristy. This room was built in the 1400s. It's where priests prepare for services. The apse on the left side was changed in 1630 to become a Baroque chapel. The church's bell tower was built in the 1500s.

The main chapel has a large decorated screen called a "retablo." It features paintings by Antonio del Castillo. There are also sculptures made by a local artist named Gómez de Sandoval.