Visit the Córdoba Patios Festival in May

Spanish Courtyards, Palaces, Plazas and Gardens Filled With Colour

Jan 4, 2010 Vivien Pelmore

May is when cascading flowers and the heavy scent of orange blossom fill the picturesque streets and plazas around the Mosque of Córdoba for the Fiesta de Los Patios.

Córdoba was the capital of the the peninsula during the 8th century and the Moors legacy is evident throughout Andalucia in its cities, town and villages. Architecture, customs and traditions have lived on and one of the most beautiful is to decorate with flowers and plants their streets, patios and plazas in early springtime.

The essential elements of a Córdoba patio were a source of water such as a spring or a fountain and decorative plants. Their squat houses were built with an intimate central courtyard with rooms leading off and where a private open space could be used by the family. Orange trees and roses were often planted because of their fragrance, vines were grown to provide shade during the sweltering heat of the Córdoban summer and the murmur of running water created an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Many of the more palatial homes had larger patios surrounded by decorative arches and columns with galleries above. The ground was always a mosaic of black and white pebbles with potted aspiditras and ferns placed around the central fountain. These old patios can still be enjoyed in some of Córdobas historical buildings. Most of the patios seen today have elaborate wrought iron window grills with traditionally tiled walls and pots or brightly painted cans of cascading geraniums.

Córdoba Celebrates its Fiesta de Los Patios in Early May When the City Comes to Life in Bloom

Now a world famous annual event, the Fiesta de los Patios continues for a week or so and individual courtyard patios are judged with prestigious prizes offered for the best. The beauty of the flowers and plants is enhanced against the fresh whitewashed walls of the houses. The locals diligently renew this whitewash each year to keep their homes looking pristine and fresh – the whiteness of course reflects the heat of the sun away from the house.

The most charming decorated patios and courtyards are to be found in the districts of the Alcázar Viejo, San Lorenzo and the Judería. The well known Calleja de las Flores and the Plaza de las Flores in the old quarter are possibly the most photographed.

Córdoba is a city for those not in a hurry. The layout of the narrow winding streets in the old quarter surrounding the Mezquita has changed little since Moorish times. Every turn produces a different aspect of the city – sleepy little cobbled plazas, a church tower with a stork nesting on top, heavy studded doorways decorated with ornate coats of arms, small traditional shops and of course the local people themselves who still sit outside their houses chatting to neighbours and passing the time of day.

As well as the privately owned patios and courtyards, visitors can visit beautifully laid out gardens and courtyard in several historical locations throughout the city. Recommended are the Alcázar and the Palace of Viana.

Patios and Gardens Are Exquisitely Laid Out in the Historical Alcázar

This fortress dates from 1328 and overlooks the River Guadalquivir. It was built over the remains of Roman and Arab constructions one being a residence of Julius Ceasar in 65bc In 1486 Christopher Columbus first showed his plans for his voyage to the Americas to the Catholic Monarchs in the throne room of the palace. A monument in the gardens depicts this scene.

The fortress was used as a prison until 1951 when the Mudéjar courtyard and gardens were restored to their original splendour. The Alcázar is now a haven of peace and tranquillity and the perfect spot to escape the afternoon sun.

The Museum-Palace of Viana has 12 Delightful Patios to Explore

The historical Palacio-Museo de Viana dates from the 14th century and has had many additions over the centuries. Once a nobleman’s mansion just about half of the residence is made up of patios and gardens. The residence has 12 splendid patios which confirms the importance of shady outdoor space to retreat from the summer heat.

The palace is no longer a private home but a museum containing traditional works of art, paintings, porcelain, ceramics and an outstanding library of over 7000 works. The beautiful patios are a joy to explore. Some have arched surrounds, central wells and fountains, oblong pools and manicured hedges. Others are more like courtyards with cascading potted plants and orange and lemon trees. All are shady and packed with potted plants such as aspidistras, ferns and clivias.

Impressive Historical Monuments and a City in Bloom

Córdoba in May is always busy when visitors flock to see the colourful patios in bloom. Dates should always be confirmed and visitors should make time to visit the other locations in Cordoba city that have their own charm.

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Fiesta de Los Patios Windobox in Córdoba	Cascading pots in a Cordoba Street	The Mezquita in Córdoba
May In Córdoba Cascading Geraniums	Córdoban Street During The Fiesta de los Patios