San Rafael Triumphs

The statues known as the Triumphs of St. Raphael are around the city of Cordoba due to the devotion of the people to this archangel in the seventeenth century. As you can see, in Cordoba there are different monuments of the Triumphs of St. Raphael scattered throughout the city.

Verdiguier’s work was finished in 1781, and to this day the statues preserve their essence with the maximum splendor.

How to get to the Triumphs of San Rafael

To get to the Triumphs of San Rafael, you can go by bus or on foot while enjoying a stroll through the city. In the locations below, you will be able to see how to get to each of them and enjoy the great history that they entail. The easiest way to get to the Triumphs of San Rafael is on foot, as you will be able to witness other unique monuments of the city.

Locations of the Triumphs of San Rafael

The locations of the San Rafael Triumphs and their year of construction are:

  • Roman Bridge, built in 1651.
  • Plaza de la Compañía, built in 1736.
  • Avda. de América, built in 1743.
  • Puerta Nueva, built in 1747.
  • Church of San Basilio, built in 1753.
  • Plaza de los Aguayos, built in 1763.
  • Plaza del Triunfo, built between 1765-1781.
  • Plaza del Potro, built in 1768.
  • Fountain of the Fuenseca, built in 1808.
  • Bridge of San Rafael, built in 1953.
  • Escritor Sebastián Cuevas Street, built in 2014.
Triunfos de San Rafael - Mezquita y puente Romano

History of the Triumphs of San Rafael

Cordoba was going through a great plague epidemic, and according to tradition, the archangel Saint Raphael appeared to Father Andrés de las Roelas, telling him: “I swear to you, by Jesus Christ Crucified, that I am Raphael, the angel whom God has placed as guardian of this city”, a phrase that can be seen in the triumph made by Verdiguier. When the plague epidemic subsided, the people of Cordoba erected statues all over the city, financed by local companies and individuals, thanking the archangel, who became the eternal guardian of Cordoba.

Since then, up to 11 Triumphs of San Rafael were erected in the city of Cordoba, with the first one appearing in 1651 and the last one in 2014. 363 years of history separate one from the other, making this monument something totally unique to the city.

The best known of them, located between the Gate of the Bridge and the Mosque of Cordoba, called the Arch of Triumph, raised on cushioned pedestals and fluted columns. It was built to save the city from a terrible earthquake.

What does the statue of the Triumphs of San Rafael symbolize?

The statue of the Triumphs of Saint Raphael symbolizes the devotion of the people of Cordoba to the archangel, since during a strong plague epidemic. According to tradition, the archangel Saint Raphael became the Eternal Guardian after appearing in a dream to Andrés de las Roelas, giving him the message that he would save Cordoba from the epidemic. When the epidemic began to subside, the people erected these statues out of pure devotion.

Córdoba Triunfos de San Rafael

Frequently asked questions about Triunfos de San Rafael

  1. Who made the Triumph of San Rafael?

    The Triumph of San Rafael was made by the author Verdiguier in the 18th century, more specifically in 1781, and is the one located at the Puerta del Puente.

  2. How many San Rafael wins are there in Córdoba?

    In Cordoba there are 11 Triumphs of San Rafael scattered around the city. They date from different years and are in places that are usually important tourist spots thanks to these statues.