Iglesia Nuestra Señora de La Purificación

Iglesia Nuestra Señora de La Purificación is the main parish church of Puente Genil, a town in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia. Standing on Calle Campanas, it is the oldest and largest church in town and a natural starting point for exploring the historic center.

How do you get there?

Puente Genil sits in the province of Córdoba, on the Genil river, with good road and rail links to both Córdoba and Seville. The church stands right in the town center, at Calle Campanas 3, so the easiest approach is on foot from the main square, or by car parked nearby — the old-town streets around it are narrow, so finding a spot can take a few extra minutes.

What will you see?

The church follows a Latin-cross plan with three naves, a layout typical of large parish churches in the region. Its roots go back to the Middle Ages: the earliest foundations are linked to the resettlement of the area in the second half of the 13th century, while the building as it stands today dates mainly from the early 16th century, when the settlement of Pontón de Don Gonzalo (Puente Genil's former name) became permanently inhabited.

Much of what visitors see today is the result of 19th-century work. In the final third of that century, engineer Ricardo Moreno carried out a major renovation of the temple: he designed a new main altarpiece, renewed the roof, and had the interior decorated with large paintings by local artists. The result is a church that combines medieval origins with an interior character shaped strongly by that 19th-century overhaul.

When should you visit?

The church is an active parish, so it's best to plan a visit outside Mass times if the goal is a quiet look at the architecture and interior. Puente Genil is also known for its Holy Week (Semana Santa) celebrations, which draw visitors from across Andalusia — during that period the church and the surrounding streets take on a distinctive atmosphere of processions and religious tradition, though it's also when things get busiest.

Good to know

The town's name — Puente Genil, "Genil Bridge" — refers to the bridge over the Genil river around which the settlement grew. The Purificación parish remains the town's main religious and architectural landmark, and its façade and interior are often the first stop for visitors before exploring the rest of the old town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the church located? At Calle Campanas 3, in the center of Puente Genil, in the province of Córdoba.

How old is the church? Its earliest foundations date to the second half of the 13th century, while the current building dates mainly from the early 16th century, with a major interior renovation carried out in the 19th century.

Can visitors go inside? Yes — as an active parish, the church is open to visitors outside service hours; it's worth checking locally or with the tourist information office for exact times.

What's the most notable architectural feature? The three-nave, Latin-cross layout, along with the 19th-century main altarpiece and interior paintings by local artists added during the renovation led by engineer Ricardo Moreno.