Inscription. Church. Lopera castle (Jaén, Spain)

The castle of Lopera (Jaén) underwent countless transformations throughout its history. In the 16th century, the old fortified church was reduced to its minimum expression, becoming a chapel or oratory, while the rest of the building became a palace house. At that time, the chapel was adorned with an inscription that praised the figure of the commander of the Order of Calatrava, Don Juan Pacheco. The inscription was located in the side paraments, although at present it is only kept in one, and was recovered in the restoration made between 2012 and 2013. It can be read that the construction of the chapel was started in 1535 and that it was finished in the following year. However, in reality, archeological investigations prior to the aforementioned restoration work have shown that it is only embellished by decorating it with a coating in which a false cutting of masonry is drawn and introducing the inscription. It also opens a new door that allows access to the faithful from the outside of the chapel avoiding that they invaded their private space. As has been pointed out, the chapel was the head of the old church that becomes the only place in the building dedicated to religious functions. The oldest transcription of this epigraph with which we count is the one made by D. Luis de Godoy and the graduate of Quintanilla in 1594: "with a sign to the round that is said this chapel command hedify the very magnificent lord don Garçia of Padilla commanding mayor of Calatrava and the secret advice of the çesaria magestad and endorsement of his camara son of the very magnificent lords the Adelantado Mayor of Castile and Mrs. Ysabel Pacheco daughter of the master don Juan Pacheco of glorious memory hiçola by his commanded don Juan Pacheco his cousin being co BIBLIOGRAPHY Castle, J.C; Salvatierra, V.Navarro, M.Gutierrez, M.V; Castillo, J.L. (2013): “The fortresses of the Order of Calatrava in the western sector of the border of the kingdom of Jaén.” In Castelos das ordens En, volume I, pp. 193-227.