Essential monuments

CHURCH OF SANTA MARINA, CORDOBA

The Church of Santa Marina de Aguas Santas is on Plaza de Santa Marina 6, in the Santa Marina neighbourhood, and is one of the oldest Ferdinand-era churches in Cordoba, built after the Christian conquest in the 13th century by order of Ferdinand III on a site with a Visigothic and Andalusi past. It's recognisable on arrival by its stone façade with a grand flight of steps, opposite the monument to Manolete, and inside it keeps a three-nave layout with the central nave taller than the others, where Gothic arches and Mudéjar details coexist, with a rose window that shapes the light in the space, and standout works such as the paintings by Antonio del Castillo.

ONE OF THE OLDEST FERDINAND-ERA CHURCHES

The church was commissioned in the 13th century after the Christian conquest of Cordoba by Ferdinand III the Saint. It was built on the same site that had previously held a Visigothic temple and, later, a mosque in the al-Andalus period. It's dedicated to Santa Marina de Aguas Santas, a martyr of Galician origin.

Over time, further building work and alterations were completed, which is why today you can see that mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Mudéjar styles. A milestone marking the end of one building phase is 1595, when the wooden coffered ceilings were commissioned.

Later, in the modern era, the earthquakes of 1680 and 1755 made it necessary to reinforce the walls and structure, and Baroque features were added. After that came further setbacks, such as the fire of 1880 and the assault during the Spanish Civil War, which damaged chapels and the main altar and required further restoration work.

INSIDE SANTA MARINA: GOTHIC, MUDÉJAR AND BAROQUE IN A SINGLE VISIT

The Church of Santa Marina in Cordoba is a three-nave church, with the central nave taller than the side aisles. The vault and the Gothic arches coexist with Mudéjar features, and light enters through its large central rose window, highlighting the architecture. The main altar holds a large Baroque altarpiece with the images of Santa Marina, San Pedro and San Pablo, and the paintings by Antonio del Castillo stand out. It also preserves two important chapels, the Capilla del Tabernáculo and the Capilla de los Orozco.

REVIEW: CAN MORE DETAIL BE ADDED FOR EACH POINT? FOR THE GUIDE

1. FAÇADE WITH MEDIEVAL BUTTRESSES

Medieval buttresses that give it the character of a fortress.

2. GOTHIC ROSE WINDOW

Gothic rose window.

3. PAINTINGS BY ANTONIO DEL CASTILLO

Paintings by Antonio del Castillo.

4. RENAISSANCE BELL TOWER

Renaissance bell tower.

5. MIX OF ARTISTIC STYLES

Mix of artistic styles.

WHEN TO VISIT SANTA MARINA AND WHICH TICKET YOU NEED

The Church of Santa Marina opens Monday to Friday and closes on Saturdays and Sundays. Hours change by season.

In winter, access is from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00. In summer, from 9:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00.

The visit uses the single ticket linked to the Mosque-Cathedral. The price listed is €13 per person, bought at the Episcopal Palace at Calle Torrijos, 12, after purchasing the Mosque-Cathedral ticket. With that purchase, entry to this church is included free of charge under the access system described.

If you're coming from the Church of San Andrés, leave via Calle del Realejo and turn left onto Hermanos López Dieguez. Continue straight along Enrique Redel and then along Calle Santa Isabel until you see it on your right in the square.