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From 2 to 14 May, Córdoba will be celebrating the famous Fiesta de los Patios (Festival of Courtyards), a competition that invites residents to open the doors of their interior courtyards, which have been decorated especially for the occasion. For a fortnight, these usually private spaces are open to the public, offering visitors the magical spectacle of balconies, staircases, wells and shuttered windows adorned with pots, all wrapped in the sweet fragrance of geraniums, carnations, jasmine and orange blossoms.
A major springtime event in Andalucia, the Fiesta de los Patios de Cordobeses was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 1980, and in 2012 it was declared part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba is also an opportunity to discover the traditions, gastronomy and folklore of the region, since it is complemented by a parallel cultural programme organised by the city council, which, in addition to promoting the local architecture and heritage, also takes the opportunity to showcase the city's cultural offering. Concerts, flamenco shows, tapas and wine tasting, theatrical routes... The whole city is involved, attracting curious visitors every year from all over the globe. An essential event for a high quality stay in the south of Spain!
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Patios are a common feature of traditional architecture in many hot and dry Mediterranean countries, including Morocco, which is famed for its lavish riads.
In the south of the Iberian Peninsula, the Romans and later the Arabs built their houses with inward facing facades, which helped to keep the houses cool while preserving the privacy of the family, with daily life organised around the central courtyards. These patios feature mosaic and tiled floors, and allow light and air to pass through, while collecting rainwater in fountains, ponds and wells. This architectural custom persists in Andalusia, where these private oases are filled with flowers planted in flowerbeds and pots, so as to create a more pleasant environment, increase the sensation of freshness and, of course, to delight in the magnificent colours of spring.
Throughout this major floral festival, visitors will be able to admire traditional patios, palace patios, convent patios and church patios... Patios abound in the area surrounding the Alcázar Viejo, between the Alcázar and the parish of San Basilio; in the Santa Marina district, around San Lorenzo and La Magdalena; and around the mosque-cathedral in the old Jewish quarter.
It is also worth noting that the historic centre of Cordoba has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, which is another reason to go and explore one of the most beautiful cities in Andalusia. Some of the streets not to be missed during the festival are Martín de Roa, with a number of gorgeous patio areas, or Calle Postrera 28, which houses a typical Andalusian courtyard which mixes white and indigo blue with colourful decorations. To see three patios in one, you can go to Calle del Aceite 8. The Patio de Almonas, on the Regina-El Realejo road, is also a must-see. The Palacio de Viana deserves a special mention with no less than twelve patios!
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This 2023 edition features 54 patios (24 of ancient architecture, 22 modern and 8 classified as "unique"), along with 9 other institutional patios that can be visited outside the competition. These include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Julio Romero de Torres Museum (Plaza del Potro), the Provincial Historical Archive of Córdoba (Calle Pompeyos 6), and the Archaeological Museum of Córdoba (Plaza de Jerónimo Páez).
The City Council offers an interactive map for visiting the patios via 6 recommended routes by area: Route 1, Regina and El Realejo; Route 2, Santa Marina and San Agustín; Route 3, San Lorenzo; Route 4, Santiago and San Lorenzo; Route 5, the Jewish Quarter and San Francisco; and Route 6, the Old Alcazar.
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