Patio Festival in Córdoba
The 'Los Patios' festival in Córdoba is in full swing.
For the ninety-fifth year private home owners have opened up their patios to the public. Impressive flower displays can be seen festooning walls, balconies and wells.
The festival originated in 1918 as a competition for Cordobans to acquire the title of having the best patio in the town. First, second and third prizes are still awarded for the most beautiful and best preserved patios. Now, visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the flower displays and the event has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Courtyards
The courtyards are a typical architectural feature of many Andalucían properties that were influenced, if not indeed built, by the Moors who ruled over Andalucía for centuries. Shaded, often with water present in the form of a fountain or slow moving water channels, they are areas of calm and repose away from the bustle of the town.
In 1996 an association called ‘Claveles y Gitanillas’ (‘Carnations and Geraniums’) was founded in order to continue the upkeep of the traditional courtyards of Córdoba. The association also helps promote the annual patio festival through its website and has an educational programme for children to learn about plant management and the patio tradition.
2013 Festival
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.
The festival is open until the 19th May 2013. The patios in winter are a pleasant sight; in the spring they are magnificent.
For the ninety-fifth year private home owners have opened up their patios to the public. Impressive flower displays can be seen festooning walls, balconies and wells.
The festival originated in 1918 as a competition for Cordobans to acquire the title of having the best patio in the town. First, second and third prizes are still awarded for the most beautiful and best preserved patios. Now, visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the flower displays and the event has been recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Courtyards
The courtyards are a typical architectural feature of many Andalucían properties that were influenced, if not indeed built, by the Moors who ruled over Andalucía for centuries. Shaded, often with water present in the form of a fountain or slow moving water channels, they are areas of calm and repose away from the bustle of the town.
In 1996 an association called ‘Claveles y Gitanillas’ (‘Carnations and Geraniums’) was founded in order to continue the upkeep of the traditional courtyards of Córdoba. The association also helps promote the annual patio festival through its website and has an educational programme for children to learn about plant management and the patio tradition.
2013 Festival
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.
Hi Deborah,
ReplyDeleteGreat post and photographs. The Patio festival is an amazing experience. We just published a video we made in Cordoba - http://www.spain-holiday.com/Cordoba-city/articles/cordoba-patio-festival-fiesta-de-los-patios
Hope you like it!