Entertainment in Spain

 
 




 

 
CÓRDOBA
STREETS AND PATIOS OF CÓRDOBA
The narrow streets, the winding alleys and small out-of-the-way plazas, where the white limestone shines, where you can still hear the murmur of the water fountains and where you are surrounded burgundy geraniums and elongated plantains, in a warm environment, that tease your five senses.
 

The artistic quarter of Córdoba, reachable from the Via Augusta (Augustus Way)and the Roman Bridge, surrounded partly by remains of the city walls and the ochre waters of the Guadalquivir River, constitutes its own world. The Street of the Flowers as well as any spot within the Juderia (the old Jewish quarter) offer typical imagery of this city. Between the whitewash, radiant bronze and sculptures as visible: the Maimonides of Plaza of Tiberiades, or the Seneca from the Almodovar Gate; or the Synagogue, at the junction of several walls. Along the city walls, which are besieged by gardens and ponds, the white sculpture of Averroes, another great Corbesian philosopher, stands guard.
 
 Streets from the Judería: This city quarter was inhabited by Spanish Jews, Sephardics Jews, and is made up of winding little beautiful streets dates as far back as the I century, reaching is zenith in the X century with the Jewish academies that it hosted. It would be from here where most of the advances of the Middle Ages would spring to life, since Córdoba was a cradle for poets, scientists, and philosophers which are remembered with the street names.
Typical Patio of Córdoba: At any time, behind any door, you can find the typical Cordobesian patio of great historical importance, where the water murmurs, the flowers seem to speckle the walls and the grates of the windows with blood, and the Crosses of May come alive between the notes sprung from the strings of a guitar or the depth of cante, that mixes the fiber of life in a laughter centered in the mixture of the cultures
The Cordobesian patios are a reminiscence of the climate conditions of this city; they are an essential part of the housing. Whitewash walls, fountains, columns, and flowers, they are simply comforting in such warm climate.
The houses that surround the patios acquire a communal life, sharing their chickens, galleries and backyard, laundry facilities, and of course, the patio, which through their careful upkeep led to the development of the traditional patio festivities.
The Festivity of the Cordobesian Patios
 


It is celebrated after the Crosses of May, during which month Córdoba’s City sponsors a contest of patios; there are many patios, but only a small quantity of the same (about fifty) compete. Cordobesian patios are many and varied: those belonging to convents, museums, palaces, and then those that are called popular patios, which are shared by several families. There are no two patios alike other than their white wash walls, as well as some other characteristics. Each however is unique in arrangement, decoration, and landscape.
The jasmines, geraniums, roses, carnations, and a myriad of other flowers provide colorful arrangements; canaries, and other birds in their cages, lift the spirit of the patio providing it with life and merriment; and finally, wells, fountains, little ponds provide a sense of peace and tranquillity which is almost surreal, ...creating a desire to return to it

 
 

 
 
 

The Cordobesian patios are a reminiscence of the climate conditions of this city; they are an essential part of the housing. Whitewash walls, fountains, columns, and flowers, they are simply comforting in such warm climate.
The houses that surround the patios acquire a communal life, sharing their chickens, galleries and backyard, laundry facilities, and of course, the patio, which through their careful upkeep led to the development of the traditional patio festivities.
The Festivity of the Cordobesian Patios



It is celebrated after the Crosses of May, during which month Córdoba’s City sponsors a contest of patios; there are many patios, but only a small quantity of the same (about fifty) compete. Cordobesian patios are many and varied: those belonging to convents, museums, palaces, and then those that are called popular patios, which are shared by several families. There are no two patios alike other than their white wash walls, as well as some other characteristics.

 

 Each however is unique in arrangement, decoration, and landscape.
The jasmines, geraniums, roses, carnations, and a myriad of other flowers provide colorful arrangements; canaries, and other birds in their cages, lift the spirit of the patio providing it with life and merriment; and finally, wells, fountains, little ponds provide a sense of peace and tranquillity which is almost surreal, ...creating a desire to return to it

 


 

May Patio festival

Patio Festival
Festivals, Cordoba

During the Patio Festival, on the second and third weeks of May, the city is invaded by flamenco dancers and singers.
The Patio Festival is a unique opportunity to step into private homes, whose owners-after caring for hundreds of plants and flowers all year long-open their patios to the public in early May. People from the city and abroad enjoy their hospitality and marvel at the variety of the decorations and plants, just when the geraniums, roses, carnations and other flowers are in full bloom.

For travelers in search of authentic experiences, this tradition is ideal. Cordoba's streets and plazas are a delight to explore, but the city's private houses--many hundreds of years old--shelter beautiful little corners which are waiting to be discovered.

Cordoba's patios capture the essence of Andalusia in a tiny space, isolated from the rush and hurry of modern life. The aroma of lemon blossoms, the exuberant vegetation, and the cool trickle of a fountain make them tiny oasis. The festival is the city's most emblematic event of the year.

In the words of Manuel Garrido Moreno, president of the Amigos de los Patios Association, "the Patio Festival is to Cordoba what the San Fermines is to Pamplona." Both government and the private sector have made efforts over the last 50 years to save these beautiful private spaces, which are an integral part of the city's architectural and social heritage. As a small incentive, the city hall offers several prizes to the best patios. At the beginning of the festival, patio maps listing all of the patios in the festival are available in local businesses and the Tourist Office.

 

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Cordoba
 
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Cordoba Patio Festival
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