La Fiesta de los Patios in Cordoba — a bright and unusual spring festival in Spain

In the first two weeks of May, La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba (Courtyards Festival of Córdoba) takes place in Andalusia —  one of the brightest and most unusual events of the Spanish festive calendar.

For twelve days, residents of the historic center of Cordoba compete in the design of their courtyards and open their private areas to everyone. Hundreds of thousands of tourists strive to visit these amazing spaces to admire the abundance of flowers decorating the ancient architecture. Patios are becoming incredibly popular photo locations, and many bloggers come here for those postcard-worthy views.

What are patios and how did they appear in Cordoba

The patio in Cordoba is a tribute to the city’s Moorish past. In the 10th and 11th centuries, it was the capital of the Cordoba Caliphate, which occupied most of the Iberian Peninsula. The city was inhabited by Moors, who, according to Islamic customs, built their houses around open courtyards. This made it possible to protect the family’s life from prying eyes and also saved them from the heat.

The tradition continued for many years, even when Cordoba became Christian. Patios have become open-air living rooms — a meeting place for family or neighbors. The owners have always sought to decorate this space — they planted flowers, herbs, and fruit trees, and installed fountains or wells to collect rainwater. They placed garden furniture and various decorative elements. Nowadays, one family often owns patio houses in Cordoba, and the historical buildings are carefully preserved and restored.

How La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba takes place in Spain

La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba is an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. About 50 patios participate in the competition, which is organized by the City Council of Cordoba, each year.

There are also 12 more public locations that do not participate in the competition, but are of historical and cultural interest — Palacio de Orive, Colegio La Piedad, Centro de Interpretación del Patio, Archivo Histórico Provincial de Córdoba, and others. They can also be inspected.

The patios participating in the competition are privately owned and therefore visitor times are limited. During the festival they are available from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Admission is free, no reservation required. But you should be prepared because the patios cannot accommodate everyone simultaneously, and you may have to wait your turn. Taking photos is usually prohibited, but checking with the yard owner is better. Please remember that you are on private property and be respectful of others.

During the festival, various cultural events are held that allow visitors to the city to learn more about Cordoba, its history, and traditions. Casa de las Campanas, a 15th-century noble residence, hosts fiery flamenco shows and singing performances in the popular Copla genre. In addition, you can attend concerts at the Plaza de la Corredera or take one of the Rutas de Serenatas to listen to these lyrical traditional songs of Cordoba. You can find out about all the planned events, their times, and locations on the festival’s official website. Typically, all events are included in a booklet that you can download or print.

The patio competition jury awards several prizes and honorable mentions. Participants compete in two categories:

• patios of ancient architecture, which were built before the 60s of the XX century and managed to preserve their main structural elements;
• patios of modern or restored architecture, which are equipped in new houses built after the demolition of previous ones. And also those that have undergone a lot of changes since their creation.

Routes of Fiesta de los Patios

Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba takes place in the historical center of the city in the neighborhoods of Judería, San Pedro, Santiago, Santa Marina, San Agustín, San Andrés-San Pablo, San Basilio (Alcázar Viejo), San Lorenzo, San Francisco-Ribera and La Magdalena.

To make sure you don’t miss a single patio, use the interactive map available on the festival’s official website or download it as a booklet. Six color-coded routes link competing patios. The map also shows all non-competition locations. They are marked in purple.

Plan a day trip along the Regina-Realejo (yellow), Santa Marina-San Agustín (red), San Lorenzo (green), and Santiago-San Pedro (turquoise) routes. They are located nearby and it will be easy for you to move from one to another. We recommend rescheduling your walk along the Judería-San Francisco (pink) and Alcázar Viejo (blue) routes to another day. They are located a little further, and the number of competition patios on them, traditionally, is quite large.

Sculptures dedicated to the Courtyard Festival in the city of Cordoba

While walking along the routes, do not miss the three famous sculptural groups dedicated to the courtyards of Cordoba. The most photographed of them, which has gained incredible popularity on social networks, is called La Regadora. It is located at Plaza Puerta del Rincón. The bronze sculpture, almost 2 meters high, depicts a woman busy watering flower pots using the traditional method — using a can and a cane. She stands against the wall, on which hang pots painted bright blue. At the woman’s feet is a bronze bucket.

The second sculptural composition, symbolizing the past and future of a centuries-old tradition, is called Abuelo y niño and is located in the Plaza de Manuel Garrido Moreno. It consists of two life-size bronze sculptures. Grandfather gives a flower pot to his grandson. The boy is standing on a ladder placed against the wall, on which several bright blue pots with fresh flowers are already hanging.

The third sculptural group, also representing the connection of generations, is called El Pozo de las Flores ​​and is located at Plaza Poeta Juan Bernier. The mise-en-scène features life-size figures of a grandmother and granddaughter made of bronze. An elderly woman sits on a chair by a well and holds a blue flower pot in her hands to plant a plant in it. Her granddaughter stands next to her. With one hand she leans on the back of her chair, and in the other, she holds a flower. The background is a wooden gazebo decorated with blue flower pots. You can sit on an empty chair to become part of this composition and take a memorable photo.

Each of the three sculpture groups has a QR code with routes connecting the statues and allowing you to explore the historical city center.

How to view the patio after the festival ends

Some patios are part of associations and are available to visitors all year round. You can find out about them on the website of the Instituto Municipal de Turismo de Córdoba (IMTUR).

In addition, during Christmas time, La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba features approximately 40 patios decorated with flowers, illuminated garlands, and festive decorations. Typically, they are open from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., starting from the second week of December until the end of the month, excluding 24, 25 and 31 December. Check the official website for special Christmas patio routes and holiday choir performance schedules.

History of the Courtyard Festival in Cordoba

La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba owes its origin to the mayor of the city, Francisco Fernandez de Mesa. On his initiative, in 1921, a competition for patios, balconies, and shop windows was organized for the first time in Cordoba. However, since the number of participants was very modest, the city council temporarily suspended such events. The competition resumed in 1933. Then, for the first time, a thematic advertising poster was released encouraging people to attend the event. This tradition took root and became an integral part of the festival.

The competition had to be interrupted again in 1936 — the civil war began in Spain. It returned to Cordoba’s holiday calendar in 1944. At the same time, the main evaluation criteria that the jury was guided by were determined. In 1952, the cash prizes for the winners of the competition and incentive bonuses for participants were significantly increased, which attracted more people who wanted to compete.

It received its modern name Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba in 1956. And from 1962 to 1983, the Reina de los patios beauty contest was even held as part of it. By 1985, the number of patios participating in the competition reached 53. In 1994, it was decided to limit the competition to the historical center of the city.

In 2012, UNESCO designated Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This attracted close international attention to the event and significantly increased the flow of tourists to Cordoba.

Where to eat and what to try during the festival

Along the festival routes, you will find not only beautiful patios but also excellent taverns with an authentic atmosphere and a large selection of traditional dishes.

• Taberna Salinas on Tundidores street. This establishment has been operating since 1924 and boasts its wine cellar. Its interior will take you on a journey through time — there is so much ancient furniture, antiques, paintings, and various relics. Reserve a table on the cozy patio and try the dishes for which this classic Cordoban tavern is famous — suckling pig, cold Andalusian salmorejo soup, flamenquins, oxtails, and the famous cod and orange salad. And for dessert, try the Cordobesas custard.
• Taberna Santi is one of the oldest taverns in the city, opened in 1912. Its interiors feature traditional elements of Cordoba architecture. And there is, of course, a patio. The tavern is located on Realejo Street in the historic district of Axerquía, close to several Fernandina churches and other attractions. It’s worth stopping by for breakfast to try authentic Iberian products, of which jamon is king. And don’t forget to treat yourself to churros with hot chocolate. The tavern’s signature dish is Galician-style potatoes with pork ham.
• Taberna Sociedad de Plateros de María Auxiliadora has been operating since 1930. It was previously part of a network of establishments owned by the Silversmiths’ Society but is now an independent company. The restaurant is also called La Posada del Bacalao, as its calling card is a large selection of delicious cod dishes. Be sure to try cod with almonds and shrimp and an omelet with this fish. The restaurant has its wine cellar and also hosts various cultural events and concerts. The establishment is located a 12-minute walk from the Viana Palace and half an hour from the Cordoba Cathedral Mosque (Mezquita).

Where to stay during La Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba

To experience what Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba is all about, it’s worth staying in the city for a few days. This means that you will need a comfortable hotel in the historical center of the city so that all interesting locations are within walking distance. It is worth taking care of booking a room in advance — many tourists come to Cordoba during the Courtyard Festival. We offer you several excellent options for different tastes and budgets:

• The H10 Palacio Colomera (4 stars) is located in the Plaza de las Tendillas, less than a kilometer from the city’s iconic landmarks, the Roman Temple and the Mezquita. Also nearby are the Palacio de la Merced, Palacio de Viana, and the Calahorra Tower. The hotel is housed in the beautiful Casa Colomera, built in 1928 by the architect Felix Hernandez as the residence of the Counts of Colomera. It features elegant rooms, a patio with a small pool, a restaurant, and a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy views of the city while enjoying a refreshing drink.
• The Eurostars Palace Hotel (5 stars) is located on Paseo de la Victoria, which serves as a kind of border between the new city and the old center of Cordoba. Its unique building in avant-garde style was erected in 2008 according to the design of architects Justo Fernandez Trapa de Isasi and Alfonso Casares Avila. The facade is decorated with perforated iron panels. Due to their characteristic color, the townspeople gave the hotel the nickname “rusty”. Eurostars Palace offers guests comfortable rooms and luxury service. Guests have access to a fitness center, a café-bar, and a restaurant. Eurostars Palace’s rooftop features a seasonal pool and sun terrace, offering stunning views of the city, Sierra Morena mountain range, and Guadalquivir River. The Judería Jewish Quarter and the Mezquita are a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
• Balcón de Córdoba (4 stars) is a charming 10-room boutique hotel housed in a 17th-century building, just 20 meters from Córdoba’s Mosque Cathedral. Thanks to its tiered design, the hotel has several terraces and even a tower, which offers excellent views. The territory of Balcón de Córdoba is decorated with more than 100 archaeological finds. Most of them are concentrated on the territory of three cozy patios, around which the rooms are located. The courtyard with a hundred-year-old orange tree in the center is used as a living room and a gastronomic room where lunch or dinner is served. On the highest terrace, from noon until late evening, guests are invited to enjoy wines from the best cellars of Cordoba, cocktails, a variety of tapas, and local sweets.
• You will love Las Casas de la Judería de Córdoba (4 stars) for its stunning location, architecture, and service. It is in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, opposite the Alcazar of the Christian Kings, and a stone’s throw from the Royal Mews, Cordoba Synagogue, and the Mezquita. The hotel is an architectural complex of five noble mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries with cozy patios, gardens, and fountains. It features an outdoor swimming pool with a terrace and a café bar. And at Patio de Mudéjar you can enjoy Andalusian cuisine.
• The HomeSuiteHome Córdoba apartment complex (3 stars) is ideal for travel with children — there are family rooms with a fully equipped kitchen. Facilities for guests with reduced mobility are also provided. It features a patio and garden. The Roman Temple, Palacio de Viana, and Palacio de la Merced are located next to the hotel, and the city center and the Mezquita are a 15-minute walk away.

Frequently asked questions about Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba

When is Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba celebrated?

The festival is celebrated annually, usually during the first two weeks of May.

How many patios can you visit in Cordoba?

The exact amount may vary from year to year. But most often, about 50 competitive patios and 10-12 patios that do not participate in the competition are open to tourists.

How much does it cost to visit a patio in Cordoba?

Visiting the patio during Fiesta de los Patios de Córdoba is free. No pre-booking is required either.

 

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