Córdoba is one of those cities that surprises you at every step. Is the Mosque-Cathedral and the Roman Bridge, the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter where you get lost without wanting to… But if there is something that really defines this city are the Countyards (patios) in Córdoba. Every month of may, the city transforms into an urban garden where neighbors open their doors to teach the result of months of care and dedication in their yards.
Countyards filled with flowers, white walls that shine with the sun and a smell of geraniums that accompanies you during the whole tour. The Patios of Córdoba are a tradition that connects the past to roman and Arabic of the city and each year thousands of people come to visit them. If you come by train during these dates, you can leave your luggage in the lockers of the station to be able to move with freedom in the courtyards and the streets of the city centre.
What Are the Cordoba Countyards?
This are the indoor spaces of the traditional houses. The romans built houses with indoors courtyards, and then the Arabs perfected them during the Muslim period.
The purpose of these courts was to create a cool space in the middle of the house to survive the high temperatures of Andalusia.
Because in Cordoba in the summer does not forgive. The first thing that catches the attention in these yards is the contrast of the white walls with the color of the plants and the colors of the flowers. Red geraniums, carnations of all colors, roses, gitanillas purple…).
Also decorate every corner of your garden with fountains, wells, old, wrought iron railings, tiles… There are courtyards that are a real gem. The neighbors spend the entire year taking care of every detail of your garden: water, prune, put the pots in strategic places so that they look more. This tradition lives on from generation to generation and is one of the most loved by all neighbors of Cordoba in the cultural value that represents this tradition for the city.
The Courtyards Festival of Cordoba
During the first two weeks of may, Cordoba celebrates its Festival of Patios a festival that has been celebrated since 1921 and it is declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2012. The festival works as a friendly competition where the neighbors yards compete for the top prizes in different categories. Though in reality, what matters most is the pride of sharing the result of many months of work with the people who visit the city. And it shows the love that made all. The courtyards are grouped into different routes through neighborhoods such as Saint Basil, the Saint Marina, the Jewish quarter, and San Lorenzo. Each one has its own atmosphere and personality, and although there are marked routes, the best thing is to lose yourself in its streets and let yourself go.
How to Visit the Courtyards of Cordoba
Visit the courtyards during the festival is completely free, though some yards will require you to book in advance to avoid the queues by the great influx of visitors.
It is best to start the hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon. At noon the heat can be unbearable. Wear comfortable footwear, water, and a lot of patience, as they walk through all the courtyards you can easily take a full day.
Many neighbors are in their yards during the festival and they love to tell the story of each plant, and each corner. If you have the opportunity, take advantage of this opportunity and talk with them. If you come from another city, the train station of Cordoba is perfectly communicated with the city center.
What is the best time to see the patios? What if I visit Cordoba in the winter I can see some patio?
Although may is the month star to visit the courtyards, as their flowers are resplendent in the first warm days of the summer, well into the spring, some are open and care throughout the year to the public. For example, the Palace of Viana, it has twelve different court yard that you can visit any day of the year. Each one has their own style and they represent different eras of the architecture in cordoba.
You can also stroll through the different neighborhoods and discover new playgrounds. Many people leave their yards are partially open and can be seen from the street. In the end, the neighbors are still watching their flowers with the same passion and dedication that during the festival. The only difference is that you can enjoy this time with more tranquility and less tourists.
A Tradition that Lives in the Community
What is special about the Patios of Córdoba are not only the flowers, but the community behind it. Many patios are shared by several families, generation after generation are organized to care for them throughout the year. The Patios of Córdoba maintain the essence of community, they are the proof of that when the neighbours come together for something that matters to them, the traditions survive to tourism, and to maintain their essence with the passage of time, making us all enjoy the natural art of this city.
After enjoying the Patios of Córdoba, you can deepen your understanding of the city by exploring the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba: history, secrets, and curiosities, one of the most iconic landmarks in Andalusia.
After experiencing the Patios of Córdoba, continue your Andalusian adventure by discovering how to explore Seville on foot, with an itinerary that lets you enjoy the city’s historic streets, vibrant squares, and iconic landmarks.
