What a special treat to be given the opportunity to visit so many amazing patios in private houses! For a very small fee, local people open up their houses to show you the dedication and love devoted to maintaining these wonderful patios!Do not be put off that the real patio season and competition season is in May, because there is still so much to see and it is fascinating listening to the owners talking about their patios.One of my favourite visits in Cordoba and we will definitely go again when we next visit Cordoba!
Los Patios del Alcazar Viejo are 6 patios that are open to the public most of the year for an entry fee of 5 Euro. (hours vary but are usually 11-2 and 5-7) The patios are centered on the Calle San Basilio about 15 minute walk from the Mezquita. You purchase your ticket at Calle San Basilio 22 and then simply walk to each address on their map, knock on the door, and are admitted to the patio. Each address is within a few blocks of the ticket office and has a ceramic plaque identifying it as a "Los Patios del Alcazar Viejo" member. We visited in October which is not the most colorful time to visit - but still found our visit to these lovely patios to be very enjoyable. The visit was a very nice change from touring churches and museums. It was one of our favorite activities in Cordoba. The hosts at each patio were very friendly and eager to explain (limited English) how they place, water, and shade the plants in their patios (a lot of work). We especially enjoyed the one patio across and slightly down the street from the ticket office (I believe it was Calle San Basilio 17) where the lady provided (at no charge) a small refreshment and Spanish dresses for ladies to try (easy slip over dresses). This area (zona de Alcazar Viejo) is but one of several zones that take part in the Patios Festival of Cordoba in May. We would love to visit Cordoba in May when the patios are in full color and when many more are open to the public; but we appreciated the opportunity to view this sample of patios within a short walking distance of each other.
The old building is not inspiring. All the interpretation panels were in Spanish only, not good for a major tourist attraction. Entry price was low so no complaints. The gardens are the real attraction from a design and layout but our visit in January is dominated by oranges and not floral. Hope to see at a later period of the year
El alcazar de Córdoba y sus patios, en febrero nos sorprendieron por lo poco que hay que ver. El edificio se ve rápidamente. La subida a la torre no ofrece ninguna sorpresa espectacular. Lo mejor el sarcófago romano que me sorprendió. Algún rincón de un patio con encanto, pero comparado con el alcázar de Sevilla, no hay comparación.
Aunque después de ver todos los patios abiertos al público acabas colapsado de tantas flores, ne parece imprescindible su visita, y más si como nosotros vas a Córdoba en Abril. Además la organización de las visitas a estos patios está muy bien, y los dueños te tratan como si fuera tu casa.
Muy bonito el conjunto. Los baños árabes, las torres, los jardines y sus fuentes, las vistas desde sus murallas, etc.
We visited Cordoba in September and did not expect to see the patios open as we understood they only opened in May. However a selection of gardens are open from February to December. Check the website for dates and times as these vary. We had the 6 patios that were open to ourselves apart from the owners who checked our tickets. Yes the patios were not as colourful as they were in May but they were just gorgeous and full of atmosphere. Each patio was once shared by up to 6 families. Only one lady spoke a little English and explained and demonstrated how the pots at roof height were watered with an old tin attached to a very long pole! Even if you are not a gardener the patios are a must for the peace and quiet they offer from the busy town centre.
You can hear the sounds and feel the energy of those who have lived in these walls. Fruit and nut trees and odd botanics of such beauty you must force yourself to go slowly to enjoy fully the magnificence of these grounds.
Pleasant walk through the streets of the historic center of Cordoba, in this corner of the city I was very impressed by this unique local tradition, a very nice place, and admirable for its uniqueness.Very nice and characteristic houses that expose these lovely floral decorations on the walls.It's worth getting around here even for a short walk and a few pictures of the ritual.
Садовое искусство пришло в Европу из мавританской Испании. Когда видишь эти сады, эти причудливо обрезанные деревья, гуляешь между журчащими фонтанами, понимаешь откуда появилась роскошь в садах Версаля и Шенбрунна.