San Pablo Church was founded by Ferdinand III of Castile in the middle of the 13th century following his reconquest of the city from the Moors. It is one of the largest religious buildings in Cordoba and used to be a part of a convent of the same name. Go on a self-guided tour of this ancient structure to appreciate its architecture and art.
To get to the main entrance walk through the ornate 18th-century gateway which features Solomonic columns that twist like corkscrews. Pause to study the façade with its large rose window and a statue of St. Paul above the wooden door. According to the Christian Bible, this 1st-century saint used to persecute Christians until he converted to the faith after having a vision of Jesus.
Venture into the interior for its chapels, altars and religious works of art. Look up at the mudejar coffered ceilings and the ribbed gothic vaults of the apse. Admire the sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows which was created in 1627. This statue is paraded through the streets during the annual Easter processions.
Pass through an archway to enter the 15th-century Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary, home to an 18th-century statue of the Virgin Mary. Inside the 15th-century Chapel of St. Joseph study the large gilded wood altarpiece which has a statue of the saint next to a figure of the baby Jesus.
Once you have finished your look inside the church, visit other nearby attractions, including the ruins of a Roman temple and the remains of the cloister from the 13th-century convent of St. Paul. This arcade is now part of a walkway that leads to a government building.
San Pablo Church is open daily and admission is free. This centuries-old place of worship is located in the center of the city in front of Cordoba Town Hall, close to several bus routes.
