Cordoba Patios Tips, May 2nd to May 15th

15-05-2017

1. History.
Festival declared of National Tourist Interest and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Unesco. Patios, bars and balconies of private houses open their doors to the visitor free of charge and without previous reservation. Full of flowers and colorful compete for their beauty.
The Festival of the Patios Cordobeses, organized by the City council of Cordova, began to take place in the year 1918, although they began to popularize in 1933. Between Civil War of Spain and the decade of years 50 they suffered a stop. The Cordoban patio comes from the courtyards of the Roman houses, simple exterior and without stairs, from which the house was accessed. The Arabs added "riat" (flowerbeds) with flowers and water, with a well clearly positioned in it. There are two types of patios, some of single-family homes in which the patio is the axis of the rest of the house and others that are common area of ​​several houses of neighbors, and depending on the age of the same may have well and laundry . Currently in the competition there are two types of patios, those of Ancient Architecture (which have hardly undergone remodeling and maintain their original appearance) and Modern Architecture (which are new yards, or those that have undergone major architectural or decorative transformation ).

2.Where and When
It takes place in different districts of Cordoba, perhaps the most characteristic quarter of the Old Alcazar, but also in others such as the San Basilio neighborhood, the Santa Marina district or the Jewish quarter, with many stories. In 2017 the Feast of the Patios de Córdoba will be from May 2 to 14.

3.Curiosities
As a curious fact to comment that in 2013 has made a study of the economic impact that generates this holiday to the City of Cordoba and exceeded 6 million euros. The entrance to see the courtyards of Córdoba is free, but you need to remove passes to be able to see them. In some of the courtyards you can even stay and enjoy a good rest.

4.Music
40 musical performances will enliven the Feast of the Patios. The program, which covers the 11 days of the competition, ranges from classical music to flamenco, and includes the concert of the violinist Cordovan Paco Montalvo.
The performances, with the exception of the concerts that will be celebrated in the Theater of the Axerquía, will be free and of free access, until completing capacity. Thus, within the program you can enjoy the cycle of classical music in the courtyards, which premiered this Christmas and has the collaboration of the Cordoba Orchestra, in several concerts that would take place in the House of the Bells and Patio Of Orive.

5.The best courts
For us the most beautiful are in the area of ​​Santa Marina, although those in the area of ​​the Alcazar are also wonderful along with the Palace of Viana, so in case you can not get to visit them at the time of the contest, Visit the rest of the year and there are not so many crowds

6.Program
To access the complete program and the map of the patios to visit, click on this link http://www.turismodecordoba.org/84/gdocumental/l14_a41_c1/plano_programa_patios_cordoba2017.pdf