This
year, Cordoba’s famous ‘Los Patios’ festival began last Wednesday and
continues until Sunday 19th.
It is a time in which private home owners
open up their patios to the public to show off their impressive flower
displays, which can be seen on the ground, walls and balconies.
The
owners of some of Cordoba’s biggest and oldest courtyards care for their
plants throughout the year, so that when the month of May arrives they
are prepared to wow the public.
Indeed, visitors from near and far come to enjoy the
charm that Cordoba’s private enclosures have to offer, and more are
expected now the event has been declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of
Humanity by UNESCO.
The architecture of the houses themselves is of
particular beauty, dating back hundreds of years.
The Patio festival was
first organised by Cordoba City Hall in 1918.
It was originally set up
as a competition in which people of the city would adorn their houses
with flowers in an attempt win the prestigious title, however, if we
venture back centuries before, we get a better idea of how greenery
became such a prevalent aspect of the Cordobian’s home.
The climate in Cordoba was and is hot and dry. To
accommodate for the heat, houses that were constructed by the Romans and
later the Muslims in Cordoba were built in a particular way:
incorporating courtyards into the centre of the building.
Usually
courtyards contained a source of water and in many cases a well to
collect rainwater.
A display of plants in the area was initiated by the
Muslims to increase the sense of freshness upon entering the property.
The courtyard itself served the purpose of providing the house with
ventilation, light and water.
There are two different types of courtyards: in the
first, generally constructed to accommodate families, the rooms are
spread around the patio. These are usually enclosed and paved with a
mosaic design or tiles.
The second type is less popular and comprises of
two storeys with patio features on balconies, stairs and the roof.
Today, first, second and third prizes are awarded for the most
beautiful and best preserved patios. This year, the city hall has
selected a total of 48 patios to be displayed to the public: 16
old-style patios and 32 of modern architecture.
Entrance into the patios
requires a ticket but is free of charge.
Donations towards their
maintenance can be given.
In 1996 an association called ‘Claveles y Gitanillas’
(‘Carnations and Geraniums’) was founded in order to continue the upkeep
of these traditional courtyards, despite the changing of times,
economic problems and changes in architectural design.
The association
aims to promote Cordoba’s Patio festival to all, and have a website so
visitors worldwide can see what the festival has to offer. http://www.patiosdecordoba.es
They have
also implemented an educational project for children so that they can
learn about the traditions and how to care for the plants.
Today the patio displays are accompanied by a music
festival with varying folk and flamenco performances, as well as a
variety of wines and tapas for visitors to enjoy.
Cordoba Patio
Festival provides the perfect opportunity to wander through brightly
coloured courtyards and terraces, breathe in the sweet smells of the
flowers - typically jasmine and orange blossom - and later enjoy
something to eat and drink in the old part of the city centre.
The patios also open up briefly around Christmas time,
and are decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights.
Carol singers
perform in the courtyards and there are different varieties of food
samples to taste.
Dates: Until Sunday 19th May.
Times: Sunday to Thursday, 11am-2pm and 6pm-10pm. Fridays and Saturdays 11am-4pm and 6pm-midnight.
Tickets: To access free tickets, go to http://patios.cordoba.es/en/index/index
