Iglesia del Juramento de San Rafael - Cordoba

Cordoba was hit in 1274 by a severe plague epidemic. It was then Bishop Don Pascual, who built a hospital and a cemetery for those affected, located on what is now the Plaza del Triunfo , site of the monumental Triumph of San Rafael de Verdiguier.

The first apparition of the Archangel Saint Raphael was to Fray Simón de Sousa, then commander of the then monastery of La Merced: "... You will tell Bishop Don Pascual that God is very pleased with his watchfulness and care, that he by through his prayers and those of others and through the intercession of his Blessed Mother, has taken pity on this city; that he places my image on the top of the tower of the cathedral church and exhorts all parishioners to be devoted to me and to celebrate my feast every year ...".

A second time, Saint Raphael appeared to Simon de Sousa, who told the bishop, and the bishop ordered an effigy of the archangel to be placed on the top of the tower of Saint Peter's Church .

This is how the cult of Saint Raphael arose in our city.

Between 1796 and 1806, the current Church of the Oath of San Rafael was built.

The main facade is divided into three sections , crowned by three statues , "San Acisclo" and "Santa Victoria" on the sides, and "San Rafael" presiding over it. On the sides, separated by small balustrades, there are two towers.

The interior of the Church of the Oath of San Rafael is very original . It has three naves, the central one being wider and higher than the side naves, with a high choir and a gallery with tribunes. The central nave has a circle in the place where the transept is usually located, and in which are placed two large arches and a drum, which support the dome of hulls. In the center is the tabernacle that houses the figure of the Archangel Saint Raphael.

Willem Vandenameele