The bishop blesses the triumph of the restored Alpargate, now in its square

Topics Agrupación de Hermandades y Cofradías de Córdoba

The Agrupación de Hermandades attends the Oath ceremony and the return of the monument, damaged by a tree in 2023.

M. Marta L. · Published on October 24, 2026 at 22:55

Image for the story: The bishop blesses the triumph of the restored Alpargate, now in its square — Photo: Agrupación de Hermandades y Cofradías de Córdoba

The triumphal monument to San Rafael in the plaza del Cristo de Gracia, known as el Alpargate, is back in its location. The bishop of Córdoba, Monsignor Jesús Fernández, blessed it this Saturday, October 24, after almost three years away from its site due to the damage caused by the fall of a tree during storm Bernard, on October 23, 2023.

A day of faith and heritage

The blessing was added to the solemnity of San Rafael Arcángel, Custodian of the city, which is celebrated this October 24. In the morning a Eucharist was held in the church of el Juramento, presided over by the bishop and concelebrated by members of the diocesan clergy and of the Cathedral Chapter, with the attendance of faithful, devotees and representatives of civil and religious institutions. The Agrupación de Hermandades y Cofradías de Córdoba was present at both events, as the institution itself has indicated, linking its attendance to its commitment to religious traditions and to the conservation of the city's heritage.

The prelate's homily

In his homily, the bishop called for deepening the spiritual meaning of the Archangel and asked for a renewal of commitment to faith and service to others. He warned that language can serve encounter or feed division, and called for stable initiatives against social inequalities, in areas such as education and employment.

Devotion with historical roots

Córdoba's devotion to San Rafael dates back, according to tradition, to the apparitions of 1278 and 1578. In the latter, the Archangel appeared to the priest Andrés de las Roelas and declared his mission as guardian of the city. That bond has been expressed over the centuries in churches, paintings, sculptures and in the triumphal monuments distributed across squares and entrances of Córdoba, among them the one of el Alpargate.