Corredera Square in Cordoba, Spain
Corredera Square
The nowadays Corredera Square is the result of the works caried out between 1683 and 1687 by Don Francisco Ronquillo Briceño. These were performed because of
the collapse of one of the woodwn rows, tha twer set up whenever there was a bullfight. This fact panics the public.
This fact makes the restoration of the corredera to be carried out. The architect wanted to make the façades of this square more aligned and regular and moreovr to better the securyty during the shows. The works were supported by the neighbours and by loans.
The restoration of the square did not affect the lateral buildings in the south part of the square, the Prison and the Corregidor's House, which wer e artistically respected
, and Doña Jacinta’s house, are conserved.
The Corregidor's House, is a manierist building which was performed by Hernán Ruiz III, between 1583 and 1586. The prison was in the basement, till 1821, when it was moved to the Christian Alcazar. In the 40s the Town Hall sold the building to the businessman José Sánchez Peña, who turned it into hat factory, and later into a market.
Another building that was not pulled down was Ana Jacinto's House (Doña Jacinta), who applied for help to King Charles II. This house is in the south east position, with three storeys and little balconies separated by plain
columns and tuscan capitals.
José Sánchez Muñoz, José Sánchez Peña's son, was the owner of a market situated under the basement of an ancient prison, when he thought to create a big market under the square. The businessmen helped by the town hall and the french capital, got the rights to exploit this market during 50 years. It was inaugurated in 1896.
The square was till 1946 the great market of the city, keeping it till 1959, then it was pulled down. In order to substitute this market the mayor Alfonso Cruz Conde ordered to build another one, even bigger, under the square. During the works vary roman mosaics were found and
they are now exposed Mosaics Room in the Christian Kings Alcazar.
After the pulling down of the market, Víctor Escribano Ucelay, removed the dull façades leaving the brick work outside. However in the last restoration, carried out by architect Juan Cuenca Montilla, the square was painted in red, green and ochre how was supposed to be in the XVII Century. The historian Don Miguel Ortí Belmonte said that the red colour was got with the blood of bulls and this made the square more artistical.
The Corredera square was used for many celebrations: in 1571 for the Lepanto Victory, the Turks were defeated. Ramirez de Arellano showed us how was a real nave battle, in which a lot of naves threw fireworks each other.
The shows were frequent in this square. The King Philip IV and Cosimo di Medici assisted to them. However, not all acts were feasting, as, for example, it was also an inquisition place where they celebrated their faith rituals. It was the place for the french guillotine, and in the XIX Century they executed a lot of people.
the collapse of one of the woodwn rows, tha twer set up whenever there was a bullfight. This fact panics the public.
This fact makes the restoration of the corredera to be carried out. The architect wanted to make the façades of this square more aligned and regular and moreovr to better the securyty during the shows. The works were supported by the neighbours and by loans.
The restoration of the square did not affect the lateral buildings in the south part of the square, the Prison and the Corregidor's House, which wer e artistically respected
, and Doña Jacinta’s house, are conserved.
The Corregidor's House, is a manierist building which was performed by Hernán Ruiz III, between 1583 and 1586. The prison was in the basement, till 1821, when it was moved to the Christian Alcazar. In the 40s the Town Hall sold the building to the businessman José Sánchez Peña, who turned it into hat factory, and later into a market.
Another building that was not pulled down was Ana Jacinto's House (Doña Jacinta), who applied for help to King Charles II. This house is in the south east position, with three storeys and little balconies separated by plain
columns and tuscan capitals.
José Sánchez Muñoz, José Sánchez Peña's son, was the owner of a market situated under the basement of an ancient prison, when he thought to create a big market under the square. The businessmen helped by the town hall and the french capital, got the rights to exploit this market during 50 years. It was inaugurated in 1896.
The square was till 1946 the great market of the city, keeping it till 1959, then it was pulled down. In order to substitute this market the mayor Alfonso Cruz Conde ordered to build another one, even bigger, under the square. During the works vary roman mosaics were found and
they are now exposed Mosaics Room in the Christian Kings Alcazar.
After the pulling down of the market, Víctor Escribano Ucelay, removed the dull façades leaving the brick work outside. However in the last restoration, carried out by architect Juan Cuenca Montilla, the square was painted in red, green and ochre how was supposed to be in the XVII Century. The historian Don Miguel Ortí Belmonte said that the red colour was got with the blood of bulls and this made the square more artistical.
The Corredera square was used for many celebrations: in 1571 for the Lepanto Victory, the Turks were defeated. Ramirez de Arellano showed us how was a real nave battle, in which a lot of naves threw fireworks each other.
The shows were frequent in this square. The King Philip IV and Cosimo di Medici assisted to them. However, not all acts were feasting, as, for example, it was also an inquisition place where they celebrated their faith rituals. It was the place for the french guillotine, and in the XIX Century they executed a lot of people.
Text: J.A.S.C.
Traslated by Sara Moretti
Art, Culture and Tourism in Cordoba