Fernandine Churches route in Córdoba
Written by official guides
After the conquest of Córdoba in 1236, Ferdinand III organised the city into 14 parishes (collaciones), 7 in the medina and 7 in the Axerquía, and had a church built in each, many on former neighbourhood mosques. Those 13th-century buildings are what are known today as the Fernandine churches. Tourist sources do not agree on how many of those original parishes still stand and can be visited today, with figures ranging from 10 to 13 depending on the source, so this route focuses on 4 of them, each already covered on its own page in this guide: San Pablo, San Andrés, San Lorenzo and Santa María Magdalena.
All four are in the same area of the historic centre, a maximum of 7 minutes' walk from each other, which means they can be visited one after another in little more than a quarter of an hour of walking.
Route itinerary
1. Church of San Pablo
Built in the 13th century on a neighbourhood mosque, on Calle Capitulares, next to Plaza de la Corredera. Its history and interior are covered on its own page; here it is the starting point because of its closeness to the centre and to the next stop, just 3 minutes' walk away (280 metres).
2. Church of San Andrés
In the square that bears its name, it is the second Fernandine parish on the route. From here to the Church of San Lorenzo it is 7 minutes' walk (500 metres), the longest stretch of the route.
3. Church of San Lorenzo
One of the best-preserved Fernandine churches, in the square of the same name, in the heart of the Axerquía district. From here to the last stop it is 5 minutes' walk (350 metres).
4. Church of Santa María Magdalena
It closes the route in Plaza de la Magdalena, also in the Axerquía. It is the final stop of this 4-church itinerary, although anyone who wants to continue can carry on to other Fernandine parishes nearby, such as Santa Marina, a few minutes further on.
How long this route takes and how to do it
The walk between the 4 churches adds up to about 15 minutes, not counting the visits. Going into each one, when worship hours allow (usually 10 to 20 minutes per church), the full route takes approximately an hour and a half. As they keep worship hours rather than tourist hours, it is best done in the morning, when they are most likely to be open, bearing in mind that the interior cannot always be visited outside mass times.
Tips for doing this route
Comfortable footwear, although the route is short and flat, along streets of the historic centre. There is no need to book anything because they are working churches with free entry during worship hours, but it is worth checking each parish's hours beforehand because they change frequently. Dress appropriately for entering a church, with shoulders and knees covered. Best in the morning or late afternoon, avoiding the middle of the day in summer.
This route works just as well in reverse, starting at Santa María Magdalena and finishing at San Pablo. What matters is that the 4 stops are close enough to be covered unhurriedly in a single visit.
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