Torre de Belén, Medieval defense tower in San Basilio, Córdoba, Spain.
The Torre de Belén is a square defensive gate in the San Basilio neighbourhood, its sides measuring 7.4 m and its walls built of limestone ashlar blocks laid in alternating courses of headers and stretchers. Two doors stand at right angles: the outer north door has a pointed Islamic horseshoe arch, while the inner east door opens onto the ground floor once used as a chapel. Two upper floors carry hemispherical vaults, and rounded arches in the east wall once held the chapel bells.
The tower's origin is debated: it may be 12th-century Almohad or later Christian work. After the Christian conquest of Córdoba in 1236 it appears to have been consolidated as part of the city's defences. In the 15th century it was converted to house the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Belén. Restoration in 1999–2000 returned part of its original appearance and covered the chapel and altarpiece.
In the 15th century the ground floor was converted into the chapel of Nuestra Señora de Belén, which gave the tower its name. The three rounded arches in the east wall once held the chapel bells. The 2000 restoration also covered the chapel and its altarpiece.
The tower is easily accessible from the street and can be viewed free of charge from the outside. Daytime visits offer the best light for observing the details of the stonework and the architectural features.
The three rounded arches in the tower's eastern wall once held the bells of the chapel, and from the first floor the city walls can still be reached through rounded arches to the north and south. The tower was restored in 2000, work that also covered the chapel and its altarpiece.
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