FESTIVAL DE LOS PATIOS (COURTYARD FESTIVAL)

History of the Patios of Cordoba

Due to the dry and hot climate of Cordoba, the inhabitants of the city, first the Romans and later the Muslims, adapted the typology of popular house to the needs, centering the house around a patio, which normally had a fountain in the center and in many occasions a well that collected rainwater.

Muslims readapted this scheme by entering the house from the street through a hallway and placing abundant vegetation to increase the feeling of freshness.

Types of Patios

There are two clear types of courtyards: The first one is single-family house where the rooms are distributed around it. It is usually enclosed and the floor is paved or mosaic paved.

One second, from neighbour's house , today less popular, from where the houses are accessed. It usually has two floors, so the courtyard is enriched with balconies, stairs and roof. The floors are usually paved. It is common to find a well instead of a fountain and a common laundry room.

Location

The most characteristic neighbourhood is the Alcázar Viejo, between the Alcázar and the parish of San Basilio, although we can also find them in the neighbourhood of Santa Marina, around San Lorenzo and La Magdalena. In the surroundings of the Cathedral Mosque, the Jewish quarter also presents examples of great beauty and antiquity. The most beautiful exponent can be found in the Viana Palace, which offers twelve different courtyards.